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Meet Ashley

Ashley Sonnone, M.S., ATR-BC, LMHC

Board Certified Art Therapist
Registered Art Therapist

Board-Certified Art Therapist

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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You don't have to be an artist to work with me

I know, because for a while I stopped believing I was one. 

I was a creative child (like we all were)— always drawing, imagining, expressing. But somewhere in adolescence, surrounded by classmates who felt so much more talented, I started comparing. The pressure to create something perfect became louder than the joy of creating at all.

So I stopped.

 

For years, I didn't make art. I told myself I wasn't really an artist — that I didn't have the right to that title.

It wasn't until I was going through a difficult season of my own that I discovered art journaling. For the first time, I had a place where nothing had to be good — where I could create without knowing what would come of it. That was its own kind of courage, and it became the foundation for the process I now guide my clients through.

I share this because I'm not asking you to do anything I haven't done myself.

And honestly? My favorite clients are the ones who come in convinced they aren't creative.

What I've learned — from my own life and from years of this work — is that creativity was never about talent. It was shut down by comparison and perfectionism. It's still in there. I've never met a woman who couldn't find it again.

You don't have to be an artist to walk through my door. You just have to be a little curious.

How I approach therapy

Therapy with me is collaborative, thoughtful, and paced in a way that honors where you are. I don't believe in rushing the process or forcing change.

 

Because the over-analytical mind often tries to think its way out of emotional distress, my work goes beyond traditional talk therapy. By gently integrating expressive art directives alongside conversation, we create a space for your thoughts to land somewhere outside your head — quieting the inner critic, bypassing the tendency to overthink, and building a deeply rooted, sustainable sense of self-trust.

 

I also bring a specialized lens in reproductive and women's mental health — including hormonal mood changes, cycle awareness, and the emotional complexity that comes with living in a body that doesn't always feel straightforward or linear.

 

Understanding how your cycle shapes your energy, emotions, and creativity is often the missing piece for women who've tried everything else.

My background

I'm a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 11 years of experience working with adults. My training includes trauma-informed care, reproductive physiology, reproductive mental health, and fertility support.

My approach integrates Art Therapy, CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and somatic awareness — always in service of you, not a protocol.

I'm a published researcher, have presented at national conferences including the American Psychological Association, and am an active member of the American Art Therapy Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

But more than any credential — I've sat with my own perfectionism. And I know the way back.

Specialty Areas

Hormonal Mood Changes (PMS + PMDD)

Hormonal shifts can significantly impact mood, energy, and how you experience yourself. If you struggle with PMS, PMDD, or intense emotional changes throughout your cycle, I help you understand your patterns, regulate your nervous system, and feel more supported in your body each month.

Fertility Support

Trying to conceive or navigating infertility can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—filled with hope, anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. I provide a compassionate space to process the pressures of this journey while helping you stay connected to yourself through each phase.

Stress, Anxiety + Burnout

When life feels unpredictable, anxiety can take over. Whether you're experiencing constant worry, racing thoughts, difficulty slowing down, or feeling emotionally depleted, I help you build practical coping tools, regulate your nervous system, and cultivate a greater sense of steadiness and self-trust.

Identity, Loss, + Life Transitions

Reproductive and hormonal experiences often bring layers of grief—both visible and unseen. This may include loss, unmet expectations, or a shift in how you see yourself. I offer a space to process these experiences, explore identity changes, and reconnect with who you are beyond what you’re going through.

Qualifications & Expertise

Education & Experience

I am a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with more than 10 years of experience providing mental health services to adults.

Specialized Training

I have received advanced training in trauma-informed care, reproductive physiology, reproductive mental health, and fertility. 

Approach

My approach is client-centered, collaborative, and holistic. I integrate aspects of Art Therapy, CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and somatic awareness.

Expertise

Reproductive mental health, perfectionism, burnout, stress, and anxiety. 

Publications, Posters, Presentations & Awards

Publications

  • Sonnone, A. & Spraggins Rochford, J. (2020). Wellness at universities: A group art therapy approach. Journal of College Counseling, 23, 168-179. doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12157

Posters & Presentations

  • Sonnone, A., Monaghan, P. L., & Peters, A. S. (2019, August). Utilizing Art Therapy in Group to Address Anxiety: Creating Connections. Poster presented at the 2019 annual American Psychological Association conference, Chicago, IL.  
     

  • Spraggins Rochford, J. & Hammond, A. (2017, November). Wellness at Universities: A Group Art Therapy Approach. Paper presented at the 48th annual American Art Therapy Association conference, Albuquerque, NM.

Awards & Honors

  •  “Hardee Research Award” for the Florida State University Division of Student Affairs, May 2018​

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Tallahassee, FL•(850) 270-7103info@creativesoulscounseling.com

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