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Ashley Sonnone, M.S., ATR-BC, LMHC
My Approach
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. Instead, we focus on building awareness, creating stability, and making space for the full range of your experience—without judgment.
Because the over-analytical mind often tries to "think" its way out of emotional distress, my approach goes beyond traditional talk therapy. By gently integrating structured art and expressive directives alongside talk therapy, we create a safe, non-verbal space for your thoughts to land. This allows us to quiet the inner critic, bypass the tendency to overthink, and foster a deeply rooted, sustainable sense of self-trust.
Training & Background
I am a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with advanced training in reproductive and women’s mental health. I specialize in working with women navigating fertility, cycle-related mental health, and the emotional complexity that comes with living in a body that doesn’t always feel straightforward or linear.
I specialize in the emotional experience of the reproductive cycle—especially when it’s painful, unpredictable, or not going as planned.
My Journey with
Creativity
I've always been creative.
As a child, I carried around a pencil box filled with drawings of imaginary creatures I had invented. Creating felt natural. I wasn't worried about whether my art was good. I simply loved bringing ideas to life.
As I got older, that relationship with creativity began to change.
In high school, I took advanced art classes and started taking my artwork more seriously. That's also when perfectionism started to take hold. I felt pressure to create things that looked impressive, realistic, or worthy of hanging on a wall. Instead of creating freely, I became focused on creating things that were "good."
The irony is that the more pressure I put on myself, the harder it became to create at all.
I would stare at blank pages, unsure where to begin. I created less and less. Even though art had always been part of my life, I never considered myself a real artist. I believed I wasn't talented enough, productive enough, or accomplished enough to claim that title.
When I did make art, I often copied styles I admired or focused on making things look realistic, which only added more pressure and self-criticism.
Everything changed when I discovered art journaling during a difficult season of my life.
For the first time, I had a place where nothing needed to be perfect. No one was grading it. No one was judging it. No one would ever see it unless I wanted them to.
My art journal became a container for my experiences, emotions, questions, and growth. It gave me permission to play. To experiment. To make a mess. To express myself visually instead of always trying to find the right words.
Through art journaling, I didn't just reconnect with creativity.
I reconnected with myself.
Over time, I developed a style that felt uniquely mine. I learned that creativity isn't about producing beautiful work or proving your talent. It's about self-expression, curiosity, and connection.
Today, my journals are some of my most treasured possessions. They hold pieces of my story that words alone could never fully capture.
As an art therapist, I now help others discover what I discovered: creativity isn't reserved for artists. It belongs to all of us.
You don't have to be talented enough.
You don't have to be creative enough.
You don't have to be good enough.
You simply need a safe space to begin.
Specialty Areas
Hormonal Mood Changes (PMS + PMDD)
Hormonal shifts can deeply impact mood, energy, and how you experience yourself. If you struggle with PMS, PMDD, or intense emotional changes throughout your cycle, I help you better 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, and disappointment. I provide a space to process the uncertainty, grief, and pressure that often come with this journey, while helping you stay connected to yourself through each phase.
Anxiety + Emotional Overwhelm
When your body feels unpredictable or out of your control, anxiety can take over. Whether it’s constant worry, racing thoughts, or feeling on edge, I help you slow down, regulate your nervous system, and build a more grounded, steady relationship with your emotions.
Grief, Loss, + Identity
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, mindfulness, and somatic awareness.
Expertise
Reproductive mental health, fertility, pregnancy loss, sexual trauma, stress, and anxiety.
Publications, Posters, Presentations & Awards
Publications
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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
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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.
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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
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“Hardee Research Award” for the Florida State University Division of Student Affairs, May 2018