Jessica C. Ashley, MA, has established herself as a distinguished professional of mental health services, bringing an empathetic approach to supporting her clients. For more than 15 years, she has served as a director for various mental health agencies and focused on a diverse range of services that span from community-based care to residential treatment.
Currently, Ashley is the chief executive officer of JC & Ashley Counseling LLC, which she founded in 2023. She has made significant contributions to the mental health industry, with her agency providing such critical crisis services as acute psychiatric intervention and mobile dispatch responses via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
While managing programs and a team consisting of 10 counselors, Ashley also engages with community organizations, including the Department of Social Services and local hospitals. Her commitment to her work is highlighted both in her exceptional care for her clients and her support in ensuring her staff prioritizes self-care as well.
About Ashley
Foundational to Ashley’s professional journey has been her education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from North Carolina Wesleyan University and then furthered her education at Liberty University, where she obtained a master’s degree in human services, with a concentration in marriage and family therapy, in 2013.
Before founding her agency, Ashley worked as a director for various mental health agencies. In these roles, she developed and strengthened her expertise in crisis services, psychiatric crisis management, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques. She has brought this expertise, as well as her deep understanding of the challenges mental health providers face and her desire to remain active in the field, to her role at JC & Ashley Counseling.
JC & Ashley Counseling goes beyond traditional therapy services in that it is directly connected to the recently implemented 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For individuals struggling in the area experiencing a mental health crisis, they can call the Lifeline and be connected with Ashley or one of her employees.
Career Accomplishments
Ashley’s accomplishments throughout her career have been recognized through features in publications, including the article “JC & Ashley Counseling Opens” by the Brunswick Times-Gazette in 2023. Known for her compassion and empathy toward others, she is additionally recognized by her clients, who send her heartfelt messages that express their gratitude.
Alongside Ashley’s work ethic and commitment to supporting others, she credits her success to the unwavering support and encouragement she receives from her family, colleagues and peers.
Outside of the Office
In addition to her role at JC & Ashley Counseling, Ashley is a member of notable organizations, including the Chi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville, Virginia.
Ashley further demonstrates her passion for helping others through active involvement in her community. She regularly participates in drives that gather school supplies, food and toiletries for those in need. She is additionally involved in local government, attending town hall meetings to understand issues in the community and offering potential solutions.
Beyond her work in the community and at the agency, Ashley loves spending time with her two children, watching movies, cooking, reading, and listening to music. Looking to the future, she aims to expand her practice to multiple U.S. states and introduce new services to support substance use disorder treatment and other pressing issues in her community.
