open
compassionate
healing
therapy.
About
About Ashley Owens Wood, LICSW and Elemental Therapy Services
PHILOSOPHY & STYLE
I love my job and feel very fortunate that I'm able to do it. I try to approach therapy as a real collaboration with my client, which means creating a relationship and learning to work together. Sometimes people want a therapist who talks more, and other times less. Sometimes they want to move quickly and sometimes more slowly. I try to track how it's going and if the pace feels right. I would describe my style as warm and interactive; I ask questions, I give and seek feedback, and I often use humor. I also focus on being present and open with you, which means listening with full, active attention in the moment. Overall, my hope is that when you come here, you’ll feel heard, supported, and like you can be yourself.
My life and education have taught me that invisible systems influence us all, inside and out. We are human beings who are usually just trying to live our lives as best we can with the nervous systems and societies we've inherited. Because of this, I really prioritize observing our inner worlds from a place of curiosity, compassion, and common humanity.
I have worked with many clients who live outside the mainstream. I am committed to social justice and to understanding systems of privilege and how culture has impacted both my clients and me, myself. I welcome adult clients of all ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, identities, and belief systems.
EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, & LICENSURE
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, I have also lived in California as well as abroad in several countries. I studied English & French as an undergraduate, and I have worked and volunteered in human services since 2002. I completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at Boston College in May 2008, where I began training first at an elementary school in Boston, and next at a community clinic and school in Lusaka, Zambia. Since graduation, I have provided individual, group, and family therapy as well as psychological assessments for teens, families, and adults. I have worked in a residential home for adolescents, in a community counseling/legal center, and as a clinical social worker on medical and psychiatric units in several Boston-area hospitals. By far, what I enjoy most is what I do now: working with individuals in my private practice.
I love to learn and deepen my knowledge and understanding, as well as my skillset, so I continually pursue ongoing education and clinical consultation from peers and senior therapists. There is almost never a moment where I am not seeking to learn something new. In recent years, I have focused my attention on learning more deeply about trauma, anxiety, meditation, mindfulness, the use of psychedelics in therapy, and spirituality. My clients know that I am a meditator, and mindful awareness is an essential component of my work. While I do not identify as a Buddhist, I have studied the religious, philosophical, and psychological roots of Buddhist mindfulness in the West -- one-on-one with a teacher, in meditation groups, and in yearlong training programs. I do periodically offer mindfulness meditations to clients, but I have also very much learned through experience and emerging scientific data that meditation and mindfulness is not suitable for everyone and that it should be considered with care. I explain more about my education and practice here.
I am the owner and operator of Elemental Therapy Services, LLC, in Arlington, MA, where I provide different services, including: psychotherapy, consultation, and coaching. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (#120274).
Services Provided by Ashley Owens Wood, LICSW and Elemental Therapy Services
CLIENTS & SPECIALTIES
I work primarily with adults in my psychotherapy practice. My years spent working with children and families have given me wonderful experience and have laid a strong foundation for my work with adults. I find that the majority of my clients tend to be highly creative and/or work in the helping professions. Periodically, I find that clients are unsure about whether they're ready to talk about certain subjects, and so I encourage people to share only things that they feel like sharing. My specialties are the areas that clients tend to bring to our meetings, which include:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Life Transitions
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Grief and Loss
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Relationship issues
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PTSD and Complex Trauma
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Parenting
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Mindfulness
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Spirituality
Additionally, in my practice, I use a variety of evidence-based psychotherapy methods, which are tailored to each individual client.
PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS
FIRST CONTACT.
Before we meet, I like to talk with you on the phone for about 15-20 minutes to get a sense of what you're looking for in therapy. I also encourage you to ask any questions of me that you'd like to know, including ones about my professional experiences, as well as how I might be able to offer my skills to you. If we agree that meeting in person would be a good next step, then we can schedule an appointment.
FIRST MEETING.
Usually, I first meet with individual clients for a 50-minute consultation (in person or virtually), where we discuss your general concerns, goals, and questions. If we agree that future meetings might be helpful, then I welcome you to schedule another session.
FUTURE MEETINGS.
I generally then meet with people for a regular, weekly 50-minute session, yet I am also flexible around the frequency and length of our meetings. Sometimes people visit for a one-time-only consultation, sometimes for short-term therapy, and sometimes for long-term therapy. Other times, we might find that another therapist might be better suited to help support you. I have learned that people come to therapy for different reasons, and I am sensitive to your time, needs, energy, and finances. We can work together to figure out how to get what you want out of therapy.
FEES & INSURANCE
My fee for a 50-minute therapy session is $140, which is payable by cash, check, or Ivy Pay* when we meet. I try to offer an affordable rate, but I understand that this fee can still be cumbersome for people. I also offer several sliding scale spots, which we can discuss when we speak. (It is important to me that people have access to therapy, regardless of their income, so I do encourage you to contact me even if you are concerned about the fee. You can mention it when we speak.) When canceling, please give 24-hours notice in order to avoid paying for a missed session (except in the case of an emergency).
*Ivy Pay is a HIPAA secure, PCI-protected payment service designed for and by therapists. The platform uses industry standard data encryption and advanced security systems to safeguard financial information and client data. Ivy Pay works with debit cards, credit cards, and HSA/FSA accounts.
Please note: I do not accept insurance. In this way, you have full control of your payment, your health records, and your treatment. This ensures privacy and allows me to provide you with unrestricted treatment. However, you might still be able to receive reimbursement if your plan offers out-of-network coverage for behavioral health: i.e., you would submit payment to me at the time of service, and then I will provide you with a receipt and paperwork which you may subsequently submit to your insurer for reimbursement. That being said, insurers can refuse to pay for services if I do not include a diagnosis that indicates medical necessity for treatment. If this is something you would like to pursue, please contact your insurance company to confirm details about out-of-network coverage for behavioral/mental health, including coinsurance and deductible amounts. We can also discuss this further when we meet.
PLEASE READ - Good Faith Estimate:
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
COACHING SESSIONS
I occasionally provide coaching sessions for clients instead of psychotherapy. Coaching is for individuals who may not require intensive psychological intervention, but who are seeking emotional support around particular challenges, or who are curious about leading a richer, more purposeful life. It is often shorter-term work that is focused on future goals. Please feel free to ask about coaching when you contact me.
