Ashton West Veasey, MS, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Phone:
(903) 884-6049
Email:
Favorite Quote:
"Forgiveness is giving up the hope of a better past."
- Jerry Jampolsky
Favorite Song:
'Tommy the Cat' by Primus
Interesting Fact:
I drive with my left foot
Interests & Hobbies:
Reading, cooking, learning how to play the guitar + bass guitar, learning how to sew, listening to music, going to concerts, hiking, camping, taking naps with my cats and husband, traveling, spending time with my friends and family, and my dissertation research on couples with a history of trauma + exploring their experiences of non-sexual physical touch.
My Saga...
My saga began in Wylie, TX, where I grew up and met Mick as a teenager. We weren’t high school sweethearts, but Mick was the first person to hold my hand. After losing touch for several years, we were reunited at Joe’s Crab Shack, where all love stories begin.
​
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in medical office administration and team management for nearly fifteen years. I worked for Aaron and Dr. Nicole Lanman at Pediatric Associates of Wylie + Lovejoy Pediatrics while taking classes at Collin College. I had dreamed of going to Southern Methodist University since I was a little girl because the beautiful, historic buildings covered in ivy reminded me of Hogwarts. Growing up on the proverbial ‘wrong side of the tracks,’ I always thought SMU, much like Hogwarts, would be unattainable for a muggle like me. However, I decided to shoot for the moon and was accepted at SMU, where I transferred my community college credits and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. I completed my master’s degree in counseling from SMU, too, and I am now a doctoral candidate in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Texas Woman’s University.
​
I am passionate about working with individuals and couples who experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, issues with gender and sexuality, life transitions, family or relational strain, and relational trauma. If you find yourself in one of these situations, give us a call and let’s figure it out together!
Experience
Case Manager
Psychiatric Hospital
Psychotherapist
In my experience as a therapist, I have also worked as a Case Manager, where I managed my clients' treatment while providing support to their families. This experience gave me insight into the power of family systems, as helping support a loved one in treatment requires change for the entire system, not just for the identified client. I use my case management experience with all of my clients because it is my goal to help clients connect to resources, provide support for family, and gain a full understanding of the roles each family member plays.
I have had the unique opportunity to work closely with those who needed inpatient psychiatric care and partial hospitalizations. During my time at Carrollton Springs and Changes at Frisco, I gained insight into how to care for clients who found themselves in mental health crisis. I understand the unique challenges of those who live with severe mental illness and I strive to help clients and families get connected to life-giving supports. A healthy support system is one of the best defenses against future hospitalizations.
As a psychotherapist, I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families on a range of issues, from PTSD, anxiety, depression, gender, sexuality, sexual health, and relational issues. I was drawn to this field because I believe we exist within the context of relationships, but when we lose our balance in life, our relationships with ourselves and others may suffer. When we are born, we are emotional beings who depend on others for love, safety, and protection. As adults, we sometimes forget that we are still emotional beings who need meaningful connections with others. In fact, loneliness can be as detrimental to our health as smoking. I know that when I am feeling connected and in sync with my relationships, I am the best version of myself. But sometimes, we can struggle with interpersonal conflict, sleep, productivity, loneliness, or insecurity in our relationships. These struggles act as an alarm, warning us that we have lost our balance. You want to connect with others and make meaningful changes, but you may find yourself stuck in a cycle that keeps you feeling disconnected and unsatisfied. We exist within the context of relationships, and you may be ready to change the context of your life and the patterns in your relationships. You don't have to continue struggling. Together, we can explore your behavioral and relational patterns to make the changes you seek. As your therapist, I aim to guide you to your own answers and work with you to navigate life's struggles.
Publications + Presentations
Publications
Dalton, M., Veasey, A., & Norton, A. (2021). Feminist lens: Improving competency of transgender issues. Contemporary Family Therapy.
Presentations
Eddy, H. E. & Veasey, A. (2022). Realistic Self-Care. Workshop presentation accepted for the 2022 Texas Woman’s University Child Care Educators Symposium.
Eddy, H. E., Veasey, A., & Verdin, A. (2022). School-based sexual education and abuse prevention. Poster presentation accepted for the 2022 Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference.
Veasey, A. & Eddy, H. E. (2022). Reddit perception discourse: Identity and sexual education. Poster presentation accepted for the 2022 Texas Woman’s University Student Creative Arts and Research Symposium.
Veasey, A. & Jones, A. (2022). Non-sexual touch among couples with trauma history. Poster presentation accepted for the 2022 Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference.
Veasey, A. & Jones, A. (2022). Exploring the role of non-sexual physical touch in intimacy and connection among couples with trauma history. Poster presentation accepted for the 2022 Texas Woman’s University Student Creative Arts and Research Symposium.
Eddy, H., Veasey, A., & Verdin, A. (2022). Reimagining school-based sexual education using structural, political, and representational intersectionality. Poster presentation accepted for the 2022 National Council on Family Relations conference.
Early Years
