Ashley Cross , LCSW

Ashley Cross is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with ten years of practice in mental health care. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, parenting strain, and everyday stress. Her first sessions are gentle and paced to the person’s comfort level. She creates a calm, nonjudgmental setting where people can name what brought them in. Conversations start where the client is and move at a pace they choose. Ashley focuses on strengths and practical steps rather than rushing to labels or big plans. Ashley draws on person-centered ideas and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, helping people notice unhelpful thought patterns and try different ways of thinking. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and Emotionally-Focused ideas when emotions feel intense or relationships need clearer communication. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels stuck about change. In sessions she works to build tools for everyday life - routines, coping skills, and ways to handle hard feelings. For parents she addresses the fatigue and stress that can come with caregiving and blended family dynamics. She also helps people coping with loss, abandonment, body image concerns, and major life transitions. Ashley practices in Louisiana and speaks English. Outside of work she stays active, spends time with family, and enjoys local festivals. Her approach is straightforward: meet people where they are, use practical techniques, and support them as they try new strategies.

How Ashley's Approaches Fit Online Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building on a person's strengths and values. In an online session this means conversations begin where the client is and move at their pace, with the therapist reflecting and supporting goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts affect feelings and behavior; online CBT often includes practical exercises between sessions to test new ways of thinking and acting. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be taught and practiced in video or text formats.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose or blend approaches based on needs, goals, and what feels most helpful. That collaborative process is ongoing and adjustments are expected as progress is made.

Online formats offer flexibility for different rhythms of life. Video calls let people use visual cues and longer session time. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or a quieter method is preferred. Live chat and text-based messaging allow shorter check-ins, written reflections, and easier follow-up between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and caregiving schedules while still using structured approaches like CBT and DBT.