Ashley Underwood, M.Ed, LCMHCA

Pronouns: she/her

Queer Psychotherapist, Advocate

I believe that therapy should feel like a safe space where you can show up fully as yourself and be unapologetically authentic. Therapy can be a space where we explore the complexities of emotions and navigate through the challenges you are facing together. My work is grounded in the belief that healing happens through the therapeutic relationship we create together and empowering you through compassion. I view therapy as a collaborative space where we explore together, at your pace, and on your terms.

I focus on working with adults (18+) who have experienced trauma, are navigating difficult family dynamics, exploring identity (including coming out/sexual and gender identities), and having challenges with romantic and/or interpersonal relationships. I often work with clients that have concerns surrounding anxiety, eating and body-image, and difficulties with self-compassion. I strive to create an affirming and empowering therapeutic space for LGBTQIA+ folx, women, BIPOC individuals, and those who hold several marginalized identities. 

I approach all clients through an integrative framework. I believe in utilizing a person-centered, feminist, and multicultural lens to best hold space for your lived experiences and acknowledge the systems that impact you. I incorporate a trauma-informed, social justice-oriented, and health at every size approach to my work with clients. I draw from a psychodynamic and Gestalt approach to explore relational patterns while using interpersonal processing and immediacy. I also pull skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused tools when they are helpful to our work together. Overall, I believe that you are an expert on your life! Sessions with me are primarily client-led and tailored to what you have experienced and your needs. I believe in the power of humor, curiosity, and authenticity while we work together—I find therapy to be the most powerful and meaningful through using our humanness to connect.

Most of all, I want you to know that I care—about your story, your safety, and the identities you hold. I’m excited to walk alongside you, and I’d be honored to be part of your journey.

I graduated from Winthrop University in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and minored in Women and Gender Studies. After graduation, I continued to pursue my passion for counseling by attending the Counselor Education program at Clemson University. While obtaining this degree, I practiced as a clinical intern at Clemson University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center and Converse University’s Wellness Center. After graduation, I worked as a Post-Master’s Resident at Appalachian State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center for two years. 

When I’m not in the office, I love doing all of the creative things; Painting, singing, crocheting, coloring…gluing random things to a canvas; I love it all! I also enjoy going on long drives with my partner, spending time with friends, playing board games, reading, watching my favorite TV shows, and snuggling my three cats (Biscuit, Lupin, and Jinkx)! 

Ashley is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. She is licensed through the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, license #A19176.