Meet Ashley
A Tennessee therapist intern blending unconditional positive regard, a safe welcoming space, and skill-building to help LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma build a life of safety, authenticity, and healthy relationships
Hello! I’m Ashley (she/her). Do you find yourself struggling in relationships to get what you need? Or perhaps feeling a lot of shame or other strong emotions stemming from religious or other trauma?
As a queer person who grew up in the south, I understand how hard it can be to live authentically and simply be yourself. It can be very hard to not feel alone and cultivate thriving relationships with healthy boundaries.
My goal as your therapist is to help you build the community you want and figure out how to safely show up as yourself in this environment. I want you to feel celebrated for your unique and valuable story and thrive in the healthy relationships that you deserve!
My work is rooted in trauma-informed practices and guided by a deep commitment to inclusivity. I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds, with particular focus on LGBTQ+ individuals and those who have experienced religious, sexual, or other trauma.
Working with our community is what brought me and my career path as a therapist to the field of social work. It recognizes the role of positionality, which is how one’s social power, position, minority status, trauma background, etc. all impact their ability to thrive in society. My aim is to bring mindfulness techniques, unconditional positive regard, and a systems perspective into the therapy space to help you feel seen and reach your goals.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time in nature, playing board games, painting, going on walks, meditating, reading in coffee shops, catching up with friends, and taking care of my plants. Any creative hobbies you can think of, I have likely either tried it or it is in my craft cabinet that is constantly overflowing!
Together, we can explore what healthy relationships look like for you through healing from past wounds, setting boundaries, or cultivating deeper connections. As an intern at Healing Umbrella, I offer deep sliding scale rates. Please click on the link below to schedule our free consultation, and I look forward to meeting you!
Ashley Pfountz, MSSW Candidate (she/her)
Therapist Intern
University of Tennessee College of Social Work, Master’s in Science in Social Work with Trauma Certificate, expected May 2026
Supervised by Urielle Samis, LCSW