Uzima Clinicians
Ashley Williams, Owner & Clinical Director
My belief is that searching for help is the first step in the process of healing and as a therapist my personal mission is to provide each client with supports, tools and a safe space to express themselves.
Ashley Williams attained her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Washington Adventist University and hold a B.A. in Psychology from American University. She has worked within inpatient behavioral hospitals, community agencies and outpatient private practices with a focus on mood, personality and conduct disorders. During her employment within the inpatient mental health facilities she reconstructed the behavior modification program for the child unit in collaboration with the president of the hospital.
Ms. Williams’ private practice experience includes serving children, adolescents and parents in management of anxiety disorders, behavioral difficulties, traumatic experiences, parent-child interactions, peer relationship difficulties, expansion of coping skills, emotion regulation techniques, depression, executive functioning skills, problem-solving skills, and self-esteem building.
Ms. Williams’ approach to working with children and adolescents is based in family systems theory. She values a collective approach and asks that caregivers become active participants in treatment for children and adolescents. During treatment it is highly encouraged that she works with the therapeutic community (doctors, teachers, other therapists, etc) to support the emotional growth of the child, adolescent and family unit.
Elssa Kenfack, LCPC
It’s hard being in a position in your life where everything seems okay on paper, but inside something still feels off. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I do that?” or felt lost of what to do to support yourself? Do you ever find yourself feeling down, reacting in disadvantageous ways in your important relationships, or in a cycle of overthinking, negative thoughts, anxiety, and/or self-loathing? What’s really underneath?
I would like to partner with you and support you in going beyond the numbing, and getting to the root cause of your pain, challenges, and maladaptive habits.
Using an integrative approach, I employ elements of various techniques (e.g cognitive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed care, family systems therapy, attachment theory, etc.) within my work to guide my clients in gaining a better understanding of their behaviors, thought patterns, triggers, and mood changes while always promoting a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing.
The goal is to increase one’s self-awareness, i.e., process symptoms of depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, and disordered thinking; to invite you to connect back to your parts and body, and equip you with the tools and techniques to heal—bit by bit.
I am very passionate about understanding the role of trauma and attachment. I am of the firm belief that to best understand ourselves, we must sometimes explore how the past is influencing our present.
Within our work, I find it essential to look at the whole person, which means taking into account the influences of culture, environment, family dynamics, and the roles of race and gender on the individual person. Gaining insight into the impact of those identities can be integral in understanding one’s role in the world & the challenges they are experiencing.
It is extremely important for all people to feel safe and that they have a place of belonging. Through my practice, I work hard to create a space where my clients feel safe, heard, felt, supported, and confident that they can be themselves without judgment.
I identify as a Christian, and welcome the incorporation Christian beliefs, values, God, and faith within sessions, though it is not required.
I am designated as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) by the Maryland Board of Professional Therapists and Counselors and received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Towson University.