ABOUT

Ashley Schachterle, LCSW

I am passionate about therapy in general and love the work I do.

Working with trauma and first responders holds a special place in my heart, but I love working with and have had great success with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, and anger.

During my time as a therapist, I have met countless children, adolescents, and adults who try to hide their suffering.

Every therapist has a unique style…

… and my clients appreciate that I am straightforward (no sugarcoating from me). I have found in my work that getting to the root cause of the issues that brought you to therapy gets you on a road to healing.

Telling you what you want to hear rather than what you need to hear only delays the healing process. Although my clients say I am a “tell it like it is” kind of therapist, they agree I am empathetic, understanding, and caring throughout your journey.

I am down to earth, approachable, and use a real-world perspective. I am unique in that I have learned to combine a direct and therapeutic approach at the same time. Because of my approach, I have helped clients succeed that did not make progress with other therapists.

Since I am trained in animal-assisted therapy, you will usually find at least one therapy dog in my office. Raven and Harper can help clients of all ages feel comfortable and safe. Talking about your depression, anxiety, trauma, and anger can be intimidating; but having an animal in the room can help you open up. My goal is to make you feel at home in my office and with me.

Children of all ages hold a soft spot in my heart.

I care so deeply about children who are victims of abuse that I opened Desoto County’s first Child Advocacy Center and was the Executive Director for six years.

During that time, I worked tirelessly to improve DeSoto County’s response to child abuse allegations, attended thousands of hours of training, and worked day in and out with law enforcement on child abuse investigations.

A little more about me…

I am married, have 1 son, and the 2 fur babies who also work at the office. My free time, if there is such a thing, is usually spent watching my son play either soccer or baseball. Yes, I’m “that soccer mom” and “that baseball mom,” although I don’t really fit the profile. Anything lower than 70 degrees, and I’m freezing; so being outside, in the sun and warm weather are my absolute favorite.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mississippi and my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. I love watching my rebels play. Hotty Toddy!

I opened Journey to New Beginnings in 2007 with a goal to provide great mental health care and be different from other places. A place where each person matters and isn’t just a number walking through our doors. A place where people feel like they are a part of us, and the care we provide is genuine. I’m often caught between sessions for questions by the staff, which means I’m not always on time; but, hey…we all have our faults.

Because of my own life experiences, I have walked my own journey which is why I became a therapist. My hope is to pay it forward and help others like someone helped me.

It is my desire that every client who comes to Journey to New Beginnings feels heard, cared for, and understood.