Trauma therapy + EMDR for adults and couples in Virginia
Mental health care, for real life
You think and feel deeply — and you want a life that reflects that depth. But despite your self-awareness, you feel stuck: repeating old patterns, struggling to connect, or wrestling with questions that don’t have easy answers.
Maybe you’re navigating high-functioning anxiety, burnout, or people-pleasing. You might feel overwhelmed, numb, or “too much.” These challenges often trace back to relational trauma, early attachment wounds, or generational patterns that quietly shape how you show up in relationships, work, and daily life.
Therapy offers space to slow down, reflect, and move forward with intention. I offer counseling services for individuals and couples who are intellectually curious and ready for meaningful change. My approach blends evidence-based, trauma-informed practices with collaborative, thoughtful care.
Together, we’ll work to:
❊ Rebuild safety and trust after painful relational experiences
❊ Untangle unhelpful patterns rooted in the past
❊ Explore questions of identity, purpose, and connection
❊ Learn how to live with more authenticity and ease
Ashley C. Gibson, M.Ed., M.F.A. (she/her)
Licensed Resident in Counseling
Customized therapy services
Supporting adults and couples in the Richmond metro area and across Virginia, both in-person and online
Individual counseling
Psychotherapy and EMDR for adults navigating anxiety, burnout, complex PTSD, grief, relational trauma, and questions of meaning and identity.
60min ❊ $100
90min ❊ $150
Intake (60min) ❊ $125
Couples counseling
Collaborative care grounded in Gottman and attachment principles, designed to improve communication, rebuild trust, and heal painful relational patterns.
60min ❊ $150
90min ❊ $225
Intake (60min) ❊ $175
EMDR intensives
Extended-format sessions to accelerate healing from trauma, anxiety, and distressing experiences. Typically 1–6 sessions, based on your unique needs .
Intake (90min) ❊ $150
Extended session (3hr) ❊ $375
Follow up (60min) ❊ $125
Speaking + consulting
Engaging keynotes and workshops on burnout recovery, executive values alignment, and trauma-informed leadership for healthier, resilient teams.
Intro hourly rate ❊ $175
Speaking fees upon request
Custom packages available
All services are self-pay. I’m glad to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. I understand that starting therapy is a meaningful decision, and I offer a free 15min phone consultation to help us determine whether working together feels like the right fit.
My office is conveniently located in Hanover County, just one mile off I-95 (Exit 86), and easily accessible from downtown Richmond, Short Pump, Ashland, and surrounding areas. The building includes a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the rear, and both my office and the restroom are located on the ground floor. I strive to offer a warm, private space for therapy, complete with coffee, tea, or water to help you feel at home.
Nice to meet you! I’m Ashley.
Ashley C. Gibson, M.Ed., M.F.A. (she/her)
Licensed Resident in Counseling
I offer individual and couples therapy for adults feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected — from others, from themselves, or from a deeper sense of meaning. My clients are thoughtful, high-achieving individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, trauma, or relational challenges, often rooted in early experiences.
Therapy with me is collaborative and personalized. I integrate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and mindfulness for a relational, client-centered approach. My goal is to support you as you walk your path towards healing. I am proud to provide an affirming space for LGBTQ+, gender-diverse, and neurodiverse clients alike.
I hold an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William & Mary, summa cum laude, and was named an Emerging Leader by the Virginia Counselors Association (2022) for my work in inclusion and equity. I’m trained in EMDR through Trauma Recovery/HAP; and am certified in Trauma Tapping Technique. I’m actively working towards my EMDRIA and Gottman couples therapy certifications. Outside of my practice, I volunteer with Comfort Zone Camp, leading support groups for grieving teens.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade in nonprofit and arts leadership. My own lived experience has shaped my understanding of emotional exhaustion, invisible labor, and meaning-driven work.
I live in Richmond with my daughter and two very fluffy cats. My free time is spent pursuing as much joy as possible, whether that’s reading, traveling, or trying out way too many creative hobbies to name.
I look forward to getting to know you!
Ashley C. Gibson, M.Ed., M.F.A., is a licensed Resident in Counseling (#0704017729) under supervision in the state of Virginia.
FAQs
Don’t see the answer to your question? Feel free to reach out, and I’d be happy to discuss further.
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Research indicates yes: Therapy can be a meaningful investment in your mental health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. While it can help ease symptoms of anxiety, trauma, or burnout, therapy also offers much more. Our work together can support you in gaining clarity, building resilience, strengthening relationships, and — above all — reconnecting with your core values.
In my experience, both personally and professionally, therapy offers a space for lasting growth, not just quick fixes. If you’re ready to invest in a more grounded, authentic life, I believe that therapy is absolutely worth it.
If you’re new to therapy, I recommend this article from Psychology Today that offers helpful research to guide you in selecting a therapist who’s a good fit for your needs.
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Therapy is a relational process, and a strong connection is the key to meaningful work. While our therapeutic relationship will grow and changes over time, I offer a free 15min consultation to help us assess our initial fit.
In a consult call, we’ll talk about what you’re looking for, I’ll share more about my approach, and you can ask any questions as you explore whether I’m the right match. If I’m not the best fit, I’m happy to refer you to other trusted therapists in Richmond or across Virginia.
Of course, you’re also welcome to go ahead and schedule your first session (or “intake”) if you’d like to go ahead and get started.
For extra guidance, I recommend this Psychology Today article, which outlines four helpful questions to ask when choosing a therapist.
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Our first session (often called an intake) is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, explore your goals, and begin collaboratively outlining what support might look like.
I’ll also ask some questions about your mental health, family, and personal history to help me better understand your story and how to tailor our work together. Finally, we’ll review practice policies and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have — during our intake session, or at any point through the therapy process.
Intake sessions are 60 minutes for individual or couples counseling, and 90 minutes for EMDR intensives. If you’re ready to begin, you’re welcome to go ahead and book your intake session.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s now widely used to help with anxiety, grief, phobias, negative self-beliefs, and other challenges rooted in past experiences.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or tones) to help your brain reprocess distressing memories in a more adaptive way. If you’ve ever paced while talking through something difficult on the phone, or found that a problem feels clearer after a good night’s worth of REM sleep, you’ve experienced the power of bilateral processing.
The brain is a fascinating puzzle! While researchers don’t yet fully understand why EMDR works, decades of clinical research show that it does — and it’s recognized as a frontline treatment for PTSD by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
EMDR can be offered in weekly sessions or in a focused intensive format. Intensives are ideal if you’re feeling stuck, want to make meaningful progress quickly, or have a specific issue you’re ready to address. You can learn more about my EMDR intensive offerings here.
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I don’t accept insurance directly, but I can provide a superbill you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. I encourage you to check with your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network benefits.
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I reserve a small number of reduced-fee spots for those with financial need, which may have a waitlist. Please reach out via email (ashley@gibsontherapy.com) for more information.
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If you’re not using insurance, you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate that outlines the expected cost of services. You’ll receive one before your first session. Learn more at cms.gov/nosurprises.
Let’s get started
Therapy is an investment in your well-being, and finding the right clinician is important. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can connect, answer your questions, and make sure it feels like the right fit.
You’re also welcome to skip the consult and go ahead and book your first session.
Click Schedule an Appointment to get started, or choose Send a Message if you’d prefer to reach out directly. I look forward to hearing from you!