Meet Dr. Ashley Tolleson | Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of The Tolleson Counseling Center

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Ashley Tolleson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I can vividly remember the numerous times my graduate school professors told our class of soon-to-be therapists, “You can’t be in this field for the money.” At the time, I agreed with them and felt a sense of pride for my seemingly selfless intentions of pursuing a career in the counseling profession. It took quite some time before I realized that self-sacrifice was, in fact, not the road to a sustainable career. Though my resume was full of accomplishments and awards for my hard work and service, by the time I graduated from my Ph.D. program, I was deeply burnt out. I decided then to start my own business and intentionally build a life and career that prioritized my own well-being, which could allow me to show up for others in a more meaningful way.

Choosing to leave academia and open my private practice was a tough decision, but one I’m very grateful I made. Since then, I’ve pieced together a career filled with all of my favorite roles, but on my terms. Having my own business allows me to see clients, teach counselors-in-training, host professional workshops, do community outreach, and volunteer my time for causes I’m passionate about, in a way that is both fulfilling and sustainable.

Another goal in starting the Tolleson Counseling Center was to empower girls and women, both clients and counselors, to be the best versions of themselves by helping them feel capable of making choices that align with their wants, needs, and values. Our society often encourages people-pleasing behavior in women, where the norm is for us to self-sacrifice and put others before ourselves. This also translates into the counseling profession, where the expectation is for therapists to manage large caseloads for little pay. The expectations and norms of the counseling profession tend to perpetuate and embody the very topics we therapists claim to be addressing in the field. This is evident by the high rates of therapist turnover and shortage of mental health care workers across the U.S., with Georgia among the top ten states with the fewest mental health providers per capita.

I aim to help keep female counselors in the field by creating support systems and resources that allow them to provide quality care to clients without self-sacrificing. I feel deep gratitude and purpose in the idea of making things better for the next generation of therapists, which in turn, will hopefully have a positive impact on the lives of our clients.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Tolleson Counseling Center is a private practice located in Marietta, GA that provides mental health counseling for kids, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, stress management, perfectionism, trauma, and issues related to neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, Learning Differences, etc.). Our mission is to create a safe, inviting space where clients feel comfortable being themselves and sharing openly. We value respect, authenticity, and compassion and honor clients’ diverse identities and backgrounds. Developing meaningful relationships with our clients and working collaboratively to address their goals for therapy is the foundation of TCC. We believe a combination of emotional processing and tangible skill-building sets clients up for success, and our goal is for clients to leave each session feeling heard, supported, capable, and equipped. The hope is that supporting our clients creates lasting change in their lives, their families, and has a positive impact on our community.

Though we’re competent to support clients with a variety of issues, we’re passionate about helping the “High-Achievers” and the “Big Feelers.” Our high-achieving clients often struggle with managing stress and anxiety and are battling burnout at work, school, or sports. Many of these clients who come to work with us often identify as young adults or adult women looking to challenge perfectionistic tendencies, set boundaries, learn healthy coping strategies, and gain insight into the “why” and “how” they operate. Our big feelers struggle to get back in control when their emotions quickly go from 0 to 100 and usually leave others feeling stuck with how to help. These clients tend to be neurodiverse kids or teens who need a creative and strengths-based approach to therapy. Our therapists are trained in child-centered, developmentally appropriate modalities to help these clients, including play therapy, art therapy, and adventure-based therapy utilizing outdoor activities. We specialize in helping these clients gain the skills and awareness needed to manage their thoughts and feelings so they can get back to being their best selves.

Our business model is centered around client retention and community connections. In a profession where word-of-mouth and personal referrals are the main contributing factors to a private practice’s success, we place a high value on our reputation and relationships with clients. When clients feel supported and taken care of, they not only stay with our practice but they tend to recommend us to friends and family as well. Many of our clients have been with us for years, resuming and pausing therapy numerous times, either reaching out for support when life throws them a curve ball or scheduling regular appointments to help maintain the progress they’ve made. I ultimately want our brand to continue to be known for quality services, where we’re invested in our clients, both in session and out in the community through service and advocacy work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite things about living and working near Smyrna is its proximity to The Battery at Truist Park. You can often find me with friends or family at Superica eating tacos al carbon or catching a Braves game and fireworks show on a Friday night. If I venture closer to the city, I love the spaghetti alla carbonara from Forza Storico, nachos asada from Nuevo Laredo, or a margherita pizza from Antico Pizza Napoletana.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have helped me throughout my life and career – teachers, supervisors, mentors, friends, family, colleagues – and who I have a lot of gratitude for. Namely, my friend and colleague Terris Hagan, for taking the jump into solo practice alongside me, my father for his unconditional support and encouragement, and my husband for his unwavering belief in me and my vision for our business. I also have Dr. Tiffany McNary and Dr. JoAnna White to thank for my training and introduction to the world of Play Therapy, which ignited my passion for serving children and families and is now the driving force behind my supervision of counselors-in-training and future Registered Play Therapists. Lastly, my business mentor, Dr. Becky Beaton, has provided countless hours of advice and encouragement, opportunities for the growth of my business and brand, and has been such a genuine, steady presence throughout my private practice journey.

Website: https://www.tollesoncc.com/

Instagram: @TollesonCounseling @DrAshleyTolleson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tolleson-counseling-center/

Image Credits
Photos: Lovely House Media