Ashley Zajacs
LCSW
authentic. welcoming. curious. creative. conscientious
(she/her)
Remote in Pennsylvania
A quick note about finding your therapist at TC:
We have a dedicated intake team to examine what you are seeking as a client. While there may be a certain modality, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) you are seeking, please note that ALL OF TC’s THERAPISTS practice with these modalities in mind, though liberation psychology calls upon many different forms of therapy and does not limit itself to one or two modalities.
Clients often come with a particular therapist in mind– however, availability may be limited and many times there’s another clinician (therapist) who actually suits their needs even better.
Please trust the process.
💛 Transitional Characters 💛
Specialities
(not limited to these)
Trauma (complex, childhood/familial, birth, medical)
Perinatal mental health
Pregnancy and infant loss
Post-traumatic stress disorder
ADHD (particularly late diagnosis)
Autism (particularly late diagnosis)
Life transitions
EMDR
DBT
Services Offered
Individual Therapy
Remote Therapy
Insurance Accepted
Highmark / BCBS
UPMC
United
Aetna
Cigna
Medicaid (Allegheny County)
Private Pay: $125-175Sliding Scale: $75-125
(if client qualifies)
What to expect from me
Hi there! I’m Ashley, and I'm thrilled to welcome you here. It’s truly a pleasure to have you join me on this journey.
What I’m Passionate About
My passion as a therapist centers around guiding adult clients toward a "life worth living," echoing the sentiments of renowned psychologist Marsha M. Linehan. I view life as a recipe, comprised of various ingredients: our lived experiences, beliefs, culture, spirituality, relationships, health, and more. Just like cooking, we blend these elements within the different systems or "pans" we navigate in life. However, societal narratives often overlook the rust and holes stemming from colonialism and discrimination, attributing any discrepancies to flawed ingredients rather than acknowledging systemic barriers.
Do ingredients matter? Absolutely! Yet, we must confront the reality that not all of us have been equipped with the same pans and kitchens to create our desired outcomes. This acknowledgment is pivotal in understanding ourselves, our role in the world, and what a “life worth living” means for each of us.
Let’s delve into "My Ingredients:" I identify as a cishet, white, late-diagnosed AuDHDer, bringing more than 15 years of experience as a social worker, therapist, and supervisor. My journey has spanned diverse settings, from in-home and residential treatment for children and adolescents to hospital social work, therapy in primary care and OBGYN offices, and eventually private practice. Along this path, I've absorbed invaluable lessons that inform who I am and how I practice.
My Therapy Style
I'm well-versed in various therapy methods, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and DBT. I actively work to increase my knowledge base and decolonize my practice. In our sessions, I strive to infuse warmth and humor in a more conversational style. Ultimately, my therapeutic approach revolves around honoring your lived experiences and strengths and empowering you to craft a fulfilling life.
Who I Work With
I primarily work with adults in a virtual setting only. Please see the list of topics with which I’m most experienced above.
Me When I’m Not Being a Therapist
Beyond my work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our crazy but affectionate dog (a warning: puppies are a trap!), and our two cats, one of whom occasionally lends a paw during sessions. I indulge my creative side through flameworked glass art, lovingly dubbing my creations "abominations" despite others' admiration. In my downtime, you'll find me immersed in video games, making glass, fussing in my gardens, working on our pond/waterfall (also a trap), or reading AITAH on Reddit.