Ashley Thompson, M.Ed., LPCC – SUP
We rise by lifting others. -Robert Ingersoll
Biography
Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Minnesota State University in 2011 and graduated from North Dakota State University in 2015 with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ashley also attended Oakland University for a Specialized Certificate in Animal-Human Interventions. She currently is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota and North Dakota. She also is a Supervisor in the state of Minnesota and North Dakota and oversees Birchwood Therapeutic Services training program.
Counseling Approach and Clinical Focus:
Over the past 12 years, Ashley has worked with families experiencing domestic violence and survivors of abuse. She is has attended multiple trainings to be able to offer trauma informed care to her patients. She has completed Maternal Mental Health Intensive Training through Seleni to treat Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and Perinatal Loss and Grief. Ashley is trained to offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) to the clients she serves.
Ashley uses techniques that involve Relational Cultural Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy with Canines and Equines, and various aspects of Play Therapy. Ashley is one of the few practitioners that also offers Animal Assisted Therapy in the surrounding area.
A message from Ashley:
I am very passionate about women empowerment and enjoy helping women become the person they have always imagined themselves to be.
A bit more about Ashley…
I am a co-founder and Vice President of the nonprofit Hoofbeats for Healing. Hoofbeats for Healing is a local organization that offers Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with the incorporation of a Mental Health Professional, a Equine Specialist, a Therapy Horse, and the client.
I am also the co-founder and President of another organization called Addie’s Angels, which is an organization my husband and I created to help provide counseling services to families who are impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, and have suffered from pregnancy, infant, or child loss. Addie’s Angels is in honor of our infant daughter who passed away shortly after birth on February 3rd, 2020.
Education:
Master of Education Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, Minnesota State University of Moorhead, Moorhead, MN
Associations/Memberships:
North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners
Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Provider e-mail: Ashley@birchwoodcounseling.com
Other Team Members
Pamela Thompson, LICSW
She loves reading, landscaping, family time and taking classes to improve her ability to help her clients.
Ashley Thompson, M.Ed., LPCC – SUP
Ashley believes we all have a story but that does not have to define who we become.
Kallie Marsh, M.Ed., LPCC
Kallie believes in using an empathetic and holistic approach that empowers individuals and families to find solutions to their problems and reach their self-determined goals.
Allie Skjonsberg, LICSW
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy as life throws a lot at every single person and it’s nice to have a neutral person to talk to and process life with.
Marissa Perry, M.Ed., LPC
I am passionate about connection and client empowerment. I use individualized tools, techniques, and an integrative therapy approach to meet your individual needs and to help you find self-worth and balance within your daily life.
Sheyenne Hokit, LPC
I have a passion for helping my clients become the best they can be and empower them to go above that.
Jamie Newberger, M.Ed., LPC (ND & MN)
I am passionate about working with individuals who are healing from painful situations in life, and who feel stuck in old patterns that just aren’t working anymore. Whether you are having difficulty communicating your needs or emotions, facing hard choices, or lacking direction, change is possible. You don’t have to continue feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Stephanie Schafer, M.Ed., LPCC-SUP, NCC
I take an inviting approach to counseling, and collaborate with my clients in their healing. I believe people to be resilient, and know that we all get “stuck” sometimes. I work with my clients to identify their strengths and resources to get “unstuck” and move toward thriving in their lives.
Heidi Leckner, LPCC
It is an admirable and courageous thing to go to therapy. I am honored to join you in learning about yourself and taking ownership of your life and your relationships.
Cheyanne Hart, LCSW
I strive to empower youth in finding their strengths and utilizing them with the help of their caregivers. I also enjoy working with families and individuals to improve overall functioning through a strengths based, client centered practice.
Nicky Besette, LGSW
I know therapy can be scary or intimidating but I will be here to help you in finding a healthier, happier you! Building a healthy and trusting relationship with my clients is important to me. I look forward to meeting you and I am excited you are here!
Austen McFarren, MS, LPCC
Austen’s clients describe him as gentle, patient, genuine, non-judgmental, warm, flexible, sarcastic, and witty. Austen’s clinical foundation is in humanistic approaches, while also utilizing tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy.
Reid Segal, M.S., LAPC, NCC
Reid decided she wanted to be a counselor at 12 years old when she met with her own counselor for the first time. She has seen the benefits of therapy from both sides of the couch and is passionate about offering a welcoming and unintimidating therapy environment where she collaborates with her clients as an equal.
Denise Hellekson, LPCC, LISW
Denise believes one of the greatest investments we can make in life is the investment in ourselves, and one of the wisest choices we can make is reaching out for assistance when we need support along the way.
DeNae Haagenson, M.Ed., LPCC
A Minnesota native, DeNae has raised her family here and is active in her community.
Amanda Weston, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND), NCC
Counseling provides a safe space for hope to grow. I believe that every person is the author of their own story and healing can happen as we navigate the writing and rewriting of our story. It is a privilege for me to support you along your journey.
Amy McIntosh, M.S., M.Ed., LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
It is my firm belief that there is nothing wrong with you, instead I'd ask you: what has happened to you? Many of our struggles in this life are due to circumstances out of our control. In our work together, I hope to support you in seeing how many gifts you have, and how you can wake up feeling joy, peace, and genuine appreciation for yourself and those around you. I look forward to meeting you!
Bridget Forst, LGSW
I believe we all have internal strengths and resiliency we can build upon. Sometimes this involves taking a deeper dive within ourselves to cultivate those strengths. Therapy can be a powerful way to help organize, make sense of, and reshape those certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can often make life feel difficult.
Kaitlin Hetland, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
I work with people to help them highlight and build on their strengths and focus on what is truly important to them. I can work with you to help when you are dealing with overwhelm, difficult change, worry, sadness, past hurts, family and relationship problems, and other hard things.
Kyle Sundberg, LAPC
In my counseling, I use an Acceptance and Commitment based approach (ACT). ACT incorporates traditional therapies with mindfulness-based skills, while acknowledging that your existing strengths and values are important in moving towards your goals. I also believe that the therapeutic relationship that develops in counseling is an important part of the healing process. I look forward to providing you with an environment in which you feel safe to grow.
Jennifer Schillinger, MS, EMBA
Jennifer believes in warmly embracing who we are, while gently moving towards authentic personal, professional, relational, and communal wholeness. She loves helping clients find meaning, and identifying how their strengths can be leveraged to meet their goals.
Devon Tinney
Biography Devon Tinney is finalizing her degree and will be a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) in North Dakota. Devon’s areas of interest are depression, anger, anxiety, gender & identity, communication skills, relationship issues, and trauma related experiences. She is a newly licensed professional and is informed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialect Behavioral Therapy...