Her Story
About Dr. Ashley
Dr. Ashley Kurns is a PhD clinician and licensed mental health counselor with 7 years of experience in the mental health field. She owns The Nurtured Mind Incorporated, a wellness company that provides mental health therapy for individuals, couples, marriages, families, and groups. In addition, she offers seminars and psychoeducational experiences to increase community access to mental health care and has published wellness workbooks available on Amazon that serve as tools for self-reflection and nurturing mental health. Dr. Kurns has also served as an adjunct professor teaching cross-cultural counseling and providing supervision to master's level students and clinicians pursuing licensure. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a doctorate degree in counseling with a specialization in marriage and family therapy in 2025. She is Prepare Enrich certified and Gottman trained. Prior to her current role, she worked as a camp counselor leader at her family's child care center and as a registered behavioral technician supporting children with autism. Dr. Kurns attributes her success to mentorship, particularly from her father, along with professors and her licensure supervisor, as well as her vision and faith in God. She is committed to addressing the ongoing stigma around mental health and improving access to care and resources.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
Mentorship has been huge. My father was my number one mentor and strongest support system. Other mentors like professors and my supervisor for licensure have passed down knowledge. I also value clinical supervision for training emerging leaders. My vision and faith in God have been key.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The journey involves a lot of work from education, coursework, post-masters, getting license, internship, supervision, and possibly doctorate. Lean on support systems, remember why you chose this and the impact you can make. As women, know you are capable and deserve to be here. As a Black woman, my identity has empowered me to be a leader.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The stigma around mental health and therapy is still relevant. Many people don't recognize the value of therapy or have access to information and resources. Insurance makes it difficult to get care. I am committed to bridging that gap by providing access to care and information.
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