Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley McCutcheon.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey to becoming a Mental Health therapist began during my first entry-level admin position at a long-term care and rehabilitation facility. I formerly served as an intern in the Activities Department while completing my degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Facilitating psychosocial groups and connecting with facility residents deepened my desire to pursue a career in this role. I connected with the social workers and learned about my options to pursue a career path that would allow me to utilize empathy, support, and compassion. I enrolled as a non-degree-seeking student at my alma mater, Old Dominion University, which further affirmed my goal.
During my master’s program, I interned at an Employee Assistance Program and a community Behavioral Health agency. Once I graduated, I accepted a position on an inpatient Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, which gave me the opportunity to work with children, families, and adults.
In 2017, I accepted a position as a case manager at another community behavioral health agency. Here, I was able to receive a well-rounded view of the mental health system and work with an interdisciplinary team, as well as collaborate with adjacent service providers in the community. During my maternity leave, I decided to pursue roles that allowed me to have more of a direct role as a therapist in order to reach the goal of getting licensed by a specific date. I returned from leave and worked at a substance abuse clinic and a private practice, further enhancing my skills and knowledge of diverse populations.
I began to work with more adults, and the prevalence of trauma was something I became passionate about. Once I was licensed to practice independently, I began to focus on trauma recovery as my niche. I learned so much from my former roles and places of employment, and I knew I wanted to open my own practice one day. The isolation during the pandemic provided me with the time and space I needed to make having my own practice a reality. I did the research and set a goal of 90 days to be ready to become a business owner. After 90 days, or April 21, 2021–this became a reality and now I am celebrating 5 years of owning and running my own private practice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Working for myself has been great; however, I quickly realized there are no buffers between me and the problems I encounter in business administration.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Chaos to Clarity Counseling & Consulting is a trauma-informed behavioral health practice dedicated to helping individuals and groups move from overwhelm to sustainable clarity, resilience, and meaningful change. Founded by a multi-state licensed professional counselor, the practice specializes in integrative, evidence-based care that blends modalities such as EMDR, somatic approaches, parts work (IFS-informed), CBT/DBT, and polyvagal-informed interventions.
We are best known for our ability to translate complex emotional, psychological, and nervous system experiences into practical, actionable tools that clients can use in their everyday lives. Our work supports adults navigating trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and high-functioning stress, as well as groups or organizations seeking consultation, crisis response, and mental wellness support for their teams.
What sets us apart is our integrative, systems-oriented lens—we don’t just treat symptoms; we help clients understand the “why” behind their experiences while equipping them with skills to create lasting change. Our approach bridges clinical excellence with real-world application, making therapy both deeply reflective and highly practical.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of creating a space that feels both grounded and empowering—where high-quality clinical care meets authenticity, education, and accessibility. Whether through individual therapy, consulting, or specialized services such as forensic evaluations and crisis debriefing, our goal is to meet people where they are and guide them toward clarity, confidence, and aligned action.
At our core, Chaos to Clarity is about transformation—not just feeling better, but functioning better, understanding yourself more deeply, and building a life that feels intentional and sustainable.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is playing outside in the spring or summer with friends — the time felt never-ending.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chaostoclaritycounseling.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-mccutcheon-5ab96982/
