Dr. Ashley Nelson

Hello, and welcome! I'm Ashley Nelson, DSW, LCSW-C, IMH-E®, a licensed clinical social worker with over 5 years of experience supporting children, families, and caregivers through life's challenges. My work is grounded in the belief that strong, healthy relationships are the foundation for emotional well-being and lifelong resilience.

I earned my Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California and have specialized training in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Throughout my career, I've worked in pediatric primary care, early intervention, home visiting, and community mental health, helping families navigate concerns related to child development, trauma, attachment, parenting, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

I specialize in working with infants, young children, parents, and caregivers, with a particular focus on strengthening parent-child relationships, supporting healthy emotional development, and helping families heal from trauma. I also enjoy working with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and major life changes.

I believe healing begins within relationships. My work is grounded in the understanding that a child's emotional well-being is deeply connected to the well-being of their caregivers. Whether you are navigating the transition to parenthood, adjusting during the postpartum period, or facing challenges with your young child's emotions or behavior, therapy provides a space to feel understood, supported, and empowered. I specialize in infant and early childhood mental health, with a relationship-based, trauma-informed approach that honors each family's unique experiences and strengths. I work with first-time parents, parents during the postpartum period, and families with infants and young children who may be experiencing attachment concerns, behavioral challenges, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, developmental transitions, or the effects of trauma. In our work together, we'll explore the emotions beneath behaviors, strengthen the parent-child relationship, and build practical tools that foster resilience, connection, and emotional well-being. My goal is not simply to address symptoms, but to help families develop secure, nurturing relationships that support healthy development for years to come. I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive therapeutic environment where caregivers feel safe to process their own experiences while gaining confidence in supporting their child's emotional growth. You don't have to navigate parenthood alone—I look forward to walking alongside you on your family's journey.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences at your own pace.

During our first session, we'll discuss what brings you to therapy, explore your strengths, review your personal and family history, and identify the concerns or goals that are most important to you. We'll work together to develop a treatment plan that reflects your unique needs, values, and priorities.