Ashley Shepard, PsyD, LICSW, MA

Professional Bio

Dr. Shepard has over 12 years of experience in the mental health field and has worked with a variety of diverse populations.

She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from Park University. She went on to earn her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California and worked in hospice and medical settings for six years. She provided therapeutic services to terminally ill patients at the bedside, as well as to their families. She also worked with bereaved adults and children doing group therapy and planning all-day bereavement retreats.

Feeling there was room to grow professionally, she obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology, as well as her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego. In the past few years, she treated diagnoses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related disorders. Additionally, she worked in the forensic arena performing child custody evaluations, administering forensic psychological evaluations, and treating outpatient clients with a trauma focus.

She completed her doctoral internship at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center where she worked with veterans in residential PTSD treatment, outpatient therapy, while also conducting psychological assessments including pre-surgical evaluations and personality diagnostic evaluations.

She is currently licensed as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in West Virginia, and not as a psychologist.

WV Social Work License (LICSW): DP00946311

MD Social Work License (LCSW-C): 29833

VA Social Work License (LCSW): 0904014810

SC Social Work License (LISW): 17798

Meet Dr. Shepard

My approach to therapy

Reflections Family Therapy was chosen as a name for my practice because “reflecting” is exactly what I love to do. It is also what my clients spend time doing in therapy. From my vantage point, I am merely a vessel used for eliciting introspection to help people process their struggles to get to know themselves better…you are doing the real hard work by opening up. Balance is a word I would use to best describe my approach - I balance direct feedback with sensitivity. Being in your corner, I’m going to point out areas you can consider reflecting on, while also being your advocate and supporter. I believe everything you need to live the life you want is already within you. Together, it is our job to disentangle all the “stuff” that is getting in the way of you living the life you want. I will follow your lead at times, while also pushing you out of your comfort zone at other times. We may sit in silence together, or we may laugh aloud together, too. Authenticity is an important quality I value in therapy so my sessions won’t feel like you’re talking to a robot. My ultimate hope is that each client I meet will know themselves better, and be on the way to living a better life by the time treatment ends.

- Sincerely, Ashley