We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Lucas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

If I had to think of the most significant moment in my professional career, THE defining moment, it would have to be my unexpected pivot into psychotherapy! In 2019 I began working as a medical social worker in one of the largest hospital systems in the area. Initially, I enjoyed my work, but two years, a global pandemic, and the montotous routines of medical social work later, I was burned out! In early 2021, we were still in the middle of COVID and I found myself jaded with the job and my career overall! One day, a co-worker mentioned that she had given my name and resume to a group therapy practice owner who was now very interested in interviewing me. I was honestly taken aback because, despite the burn out, I was not actively searching for employment, nor did we discuss it. However, I agreed with the thought “Hey I’m not even qualified for the job, the worst she can say is no and that’s okay because I’m not hopeful either way!” You see, at that time, being a therapist was not my immediate goal. I was in the early stages of obtaining my clinical license and everything felt so uncertain due to the chaos of the pandemic. I even remember saying “I am NOT ready to be anybody’s therapist! Haha!”
But God said different! In fact, He put me in a space I FELT I wasn’t ready for, but He KNEW I was. I was offered the position on the spot, my caseload filled rather quickly, and I began to feel joy again.
It was at that pivotal moment, I knew this was not only a job, but my calling. Before I knew it, I shifted my focus and my plans, left behind all the things that were burning me out or no longer serving me, and began to speak abundance over my life.
The rest, is history!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ashley Lucas, LCSW and I am the owner of Transformative Counseling, LLC, a millennial mental health therapy practice aimed at the overall betterment and holistic healing of professional men and women! I provide individual, couple’s, and family therapy while also utilizing my platforms to de-stigmatize mental health treatment in black and brown communities. Additionally I guest appear on podcasts and speaking engagements! I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from The University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Tennessee, respectively. I am also licensed in the state of Tennessee as clinical social worker.
What sets Transformative Counseling apart is our emphasis on breaking generational trauma across socioeconomic lines and our use of the “Home Girl Therapist” approach when in sessions with clients!
As a black millennial business owner, I am most proud of overcoming imposter syndrome (or at least trying to) and encouraging others to do the same. I never imagined any of these for my life growing up and now the sky’s the limit!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

This is a tricky question! Deep down, I have a helping soul, so I would have ended up in a helping profession and those who know me, can agree I like to talk! So I feel as though, being a therapist was always on my bingo card! However, the road to get here was more difficult than I anticipated. So in short, yes I would chose the same profession, but I would have made different choices to get here i.e. experience, internships, etc.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

When it comes to my peers, being kind, supportive, and teachable! In my area, black therapists strive to build a community we can all benefit from. When I entered into this community, I didn’t do so being overly prideful or thinking I had the answers to everything. I also made sure I showed others support whether it was purchasing products, sending referrals, offering my expertise, or just being a listening ear. A previous colleague of mine once said (in reference to us both leaving that job at the same time) “10 years from now, I may forget your name, but I’ll never forget how you treated me or how you treated those that needed your help, and that speaks volumes.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://transformativeco.clientsecure.me
• Instagram: therapy.noir
• Facebook: Transformative Counseling
• Linkedin: Ashley Lucas, LCSW

Image Credits
Elizabeth Mitchell