Ashley McKinley, Graduate Clinical Intern

(she/her/hers)

My Background:

For the past 3 years, I have worked for an aging agency where I have served as both a case manager and a PEARLS depression coach. As a case manager, I have supported older adults and their loved ones through various life transitions via assessing their needs, linking them to the appropriate resources, and advocating for their well-being. As a PEARLS coach, I have enjoyed helping my clients tackle psychological and emotional challenges depression brings while establishing a collaborative partnership with them to meet their goals. This work has confirmed in me the importance of meeting my clients where they are and supporting them throughout any challenges.

Why I’m a therapist:

I have always been drawn to roles in my career where I am advocating for and connecting with others. In my work, I would often hear about issues that stemmed from mental health concerns, so that made me want to be better equipped to help. I believe in and live by empowering others wherever they are in their mental health journey. I am an ardent advocate of women’s mental health and have personally witnessed firsthand the importance of having support during times of pregnancy, miscarriages, infertility, and postpartum. As a therapist, I look forward to creating a safe and warm environment for my clients where they can feel fully heard and supported.

My education/training:

I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. After working with a J1 visa sponsor, in college admissions, and an aging agency in the last 10 years, where I often guided my clients through wins and challenges, I felt drawn to return to get a degree doing what I love. I am currently working on my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University Chicago. My coursework in multicultural counseling and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in particular, have reinforced my ability to meet my clients with empathy, compassion, and a continued commitment to respect their journey.

Areas of specialization:

I am passionate about collaborating with individuals and couples through the following areas: women’s and perinatal mental health, mood disorders, anxiety, parenthood journey, and relationship issues.