Professional Bio

Dr. Ashley Shepard is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 12 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through complex mental health challenges. She specializes in grief and bereavement, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and fertility-related concerns, including third-party reproduction and perinatal loss.

Dr. Shepard has held executive leadership roles in expanding mental health services in underserved regions, including launching a community-based nonprofit initiative that provided therapy, clinician training, and continuing education opportunities in West Virginia. Her work spans medical, forensic, and outpatient settings—offering therapeutic care to those living with life-limiting illnesses, survivors of trauma, and clients navigating severe mental health diagnoses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Shepard has over 10 years of experience as an adjunct instructor and currently teaches psychology courses at Shepherd University. Her research on misattributed paternity and psychological well-being was published in the American Journal of Qualitative Research. She maintains a private practice offering therapy, evaluations, and consultation.

She is currently licensed as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, 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. Ashley 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 our 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