Ashley Dhillon, Intern

Human beings are complex and therapy is a place to feel seen and to be heard. I work from a holistic approach along with collaborating with clients in a person-centered perspective. I do not believe in the use of labels/stigma in therapeutic care. The question is not asking clients, “what is wrong with you?” Rather, “what happened to you?” I believe in using a trauma-informed lens to understand individuals current behavioral patterns and thought distortions as perhaps they may stem from past experiences. Healing is not a linear process but therapy can be the intimate space to support your growth and to validate and empower your experiences.

I am trained in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and I currently co-facilitate group-based skills sessions to individuals working on their substance use. Previously, I have worked in a forensic community treatment program providing clinical services to perpetrators of sexual crimes, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. With such clinical and academic experiences, I have worked with a range of individuals who may undergo difficulties with emotion regulation, depression, relational conflicts, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and substance use more broadly. In my work with all of my patients, I strive to acknowledge the influence of culture and the intersecting identities that shape individuals which has deepened my abilities to connect with people and cater treatment to individual needs.

A little bit about myself: I am a doctoral student at Adelphi University studying Clinical Psychology. I completed my undergraduate and master’s degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I was born in the most diverse place in the world, Queens, New York. I am a coffee enthusiast and a pasta connoisseur. I enjoy reading, moving my body, watching horror movies, and exploring new places.