OUR TEAM
Holly Ashley, LICSW, LCSW
Holly is the clinical architect of Holly Ashley & Associates. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (DC, MD, VA), Certified Forensic Social Worker, and trained psychotherapist, Holly offers therapy to adults, couples, and families using an integrated approach tailored to each client's unique needs. Her undergraduate work commenced at Howard University, and she later graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Bowie State University in Maryland. Holly achieved her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with a clinical concentration, and she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine with a specialization in Integrative Mental Health at Saybrook University.
Holly believes that physical and emotional health are intimately intertwined and that chemistry and biology impact our moods, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. She is invested in a more integrative, dynamic, and holistic approach to mental health. In addition to her holistic clinical expertise, Holly has a background in business and is a Certified Juice Therapist (CJT). As a CJF, she teaches clients the unique blend of healing properties found within the juices of fruits and vegetables to aid the body and mind in optimum health. In her practice, she uses psychoeducation and scientific research to support the expansion of health knowledge and behaviors that improve her clients’ overall well-being.
Holly has over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families as an agent of support and guidance. Before becoming a social worker, she was co-founder and Vice President of two youth organizations that provided community-based residential and case management services to abused and neglected and court-involved youth in Washington, DC. Holly began her social work career as a Forensic Social Worker interning for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. She later went on to work as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (VA) and an Investigative Social Worker in the Child Protective Services (CPS) administration at DC Child and Family Services Agency, where she advocated and represented the myriad of needs of children and adolescents.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Holly is a wife of 22 years, mother of three children, and one grandchild. In her spare time, Holly loves hiking, going on long nature walks, meditating, and practicing all things self-care.
Michael Ashley, M.Ed.
As a Life Coach and long-time educator, Michael has expanded his reach to impact young adults and individuals who are experiencing challenges in their lives with proven evidence-based strategies to create a positive change. Michael works with student-athletes to help them improve their performance, motivation, stress management, visualization, successful teamwork, and other psychological variables in their life and athletic performance.
Michael was a recipient of a football athletic scholarship from Texas A & M University, in College Station, TX where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education with a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduating, Michael continued to pursue his dream of becoming a professional athlete by trying out with various professional football teams. While doing so, he worked as a teacher for special needs adolescents in the Dade County Public School System (Miami, FL) and as a Residential Supervisor at Montenary Residential Facility where he worked with youth offenders.
Michael’s opportunity to play professional football came to fruition when he committed to a contract to play football in Birmingham, England with the World Football League. After playing for more than one year, his football career ended as a result of a knee injury. Since then, Michael has dedicated his life to helping other athletes increase their confidence, performance, and happiness.
Following his injury, he returned to school and received a master’s degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. With more than 25 years of teaching experience in the public school arena, Michael has taught middle and high school students and mentored student-athletes in the various aspects of collegiate athletics. He is the Co-founder and former President/Chief Operating Officer of two community-based youth organizations that provided residential services for at-risk youth in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, where he provided oversight for all aspects of the organization.
A Miami, Florida native, Michael is a committed husband, father, and sports enthusiast. He enjoys deep sea fishing, water sports, boating, weightlifting, and football.
Dawn Smith, LGPC, NCC
Dawn Smith comes to Holly Ashley & Associates as a career-change psychotherapist. With over 20 years in independent school education, Dawn has been serving the needs of children and helping students and families trade discord for harmony for decades. The desire to help on a deeper level drew Dawn to the counseling profession. A Nationally Certified, Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Dawn currently sees adults, children, couples, and groups for a variety of personal, professional, and social issues. Dawn’s approach is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy with the understanding that each client's individual experience and needs warrants a unique approach to therapy.
Dawn’s educational pursuits began at Temple University in Philadelphia and ended at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. With a bachelor’s in communication, and a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Dawn’s early career experience revolved around executive education and professional development for adults in corporate, legal, and healthcare settings. Eventually settling into primary school education, Dawn has spent the last 20+ years developing auxiliary programs in independent schools in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Dawn also founded the SisterGirl Collective to support the unique needs of Black girls in elite educational settings. Her curated summer retreat helps this target population unpack academic experiences, learn tools for achieving academic goals in challenging settings, and feel empowered to be leaders and change agents in their respective high schools.
A rare native Washingtonian, Dawn understands issues common to city living and the pressures of a fast-paced lifestyle. A mother of 5, she passionately embraces the needs of women, families, young people, educators, empty nesters, and couples. Her warm, nurturing communication style pairs well with her realist approach to addressing conflict, maintaining healthy relationships, and continued personal growth. She uses a client-centered approach to create a safe space from which clients can relax into therapist-guided, client-led solutions to a more positive and fulfilling life. Dawn allows the individual needs of each client to dictate the pace, approach, and techniques that may best lay the foundation for the therapeutic alliance to unfold. This partnership means the client is responsible for contributing to their own success at all times during the therapeutic process.
Outside the office, Dawn enjoys travel, culinary pursuits, and hot steamed crabs on a warm summer day. Dawn is a strong advocate of wellness, mindfulness, and self-care. She can frequently be found enjoying a spa day or live theater with friends.
Dr. Jeffrey Haynes, Ph.D., LMHC, BCPC
Dr. Jeffrey Haynes is an accomplished Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Respected for his strong diagnostic and clinical skills, Dr. Haynes has assessed for a broad range of concerns including ADHD, learning disorders, cognitive/developmental delays, psychosis, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders.
He divides his time between clinical practice, supervising mental health counselor interns, teaching Counseling and Psychology to graduate-level students, and overseeing all research projects conducted at the university site. Further, Dr. Haynes provides oversight to Global Medical and Behavioral Health, a successful residential treatment program that provides specialized medical and behavioral services to youth with various emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs.
Dr. Haynes received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida—his home state. He went on to obtain his master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook University in San Francisco, CA. Following his doctoral degree, he earned a master’s degree in Business Management from Troy University. Dr. Haynes is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the District of Columbia, a Certified Sex Therapist, and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.
With that, Dr. Haynes has an extensive background in business with more than 20 years of Executive Management experience. During his academic career, he established several profitable treatment agencies that provided residential services to children and adolescents. He formerly served as President/Chief Executive Officer for Sunrise Behavioral Healthcare, HSC, and Global Academic and Enrichment Center where he was responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the corporations.
With his roots lying in the Sunshine State of Florida, Dr. Haynes is a proud husband and father. Some of his favorite things to do when he is not working are golfing, biking, basketball, and swimming.