The Mental Health Blog
When the Nest Grows Quiet: Navigating College Goodbyes as a Parent and Counselor
As a counselor, I often witness the emotional landscape that unfolds for parents when their child leaves for college. However, this year I am the one sending my child into their next chapter. My oldest will be leaving home to attend a university out of state in a few...
What We Don’t Talk About During Men’s Health Month—But Should
June is Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging early detection and treatment of health issues that disproportionately affect men. Often absent from the conversations about men’s health, however, is the topic of men’s mental health,...
Honoring Pride Month Through a Counselor’s Eyes
I still remember the first Pride event I attended not as a therapist, but as a quiet ally trying to soak it all in. The laughter, the color, the unfiltered joy – it was contagious. Yet, for many, the celebration is deeply layered. Beneath the rainbow flags are stories...
After the Storm: Caring for Our Mental Health after a Natural Disaster
On Friday, May 16th, 2025, a tornado tore through Clayton and parts of St. Louis with a force we rarely see. Lives were changed in an instant. Some lost homes, some lost businesses, and tragically, some lost loved ones. As a therapist who lives and works in this...
Marriage Counseling and Discernment Counseling: What’s the Difference?
Marriage is complicated—two people, intertwined lives, shared history, and sometimes, quiet questions about whether love can be rebuilt or if it has already slipped through the cracks. When couples seek guidance, they may enter marriage counseling, committed to...
Book Review: “Let Them” by Mel Robbins – Maybe Not for Everyone
Counselors and therapists often get requests for reading recommendations because many clients are eager for extra work outside the session. Personally, I think it is imperative for counselors to read the books they recommend. The self-help industry puts out a lot of...
Politics in Therapy
The problem is not about the politics, it is deeper and it is not the therapists job to ever get sucked into the context of the presenting issue (politics or otherwise). If they do, they are compromised by bias and must recuse themself. This would require self awareness.
From Butting Heads to Holding Hands: What it Takes to Partner in a Relationship
Staying in a committed relationship is a journey filled with countless shared moments, joys, and, inevitably, challenges. One of the most important aspects of a successful relationship is managing shared obligations. Whether it's raising children, handling finances,...
PART II: How DBT Can Change Your Life
Introduction Welcome back to my two-part series on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In the first part, I introduced you to the fundamentals of DBT. Now, let's explore how DBT can be applied and learn more about how the skills taught through DBT can help improve...
PART I: Understanding DBT: What is it and how does it work?
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a pattern of intense emotions, destructive behaviors, and troubled relationships? If so, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) might be the solution you've been searching for. In this first part of a two-part series on DBT, I’ll dive...
Customer Reviews
I have known Ashley Rickert for multiple years as she was one of my classmates in grad school. Having known Ashley for as long as I have, I've had the pleasure of seeing her therapy skills in a variety of scenarios (through practicum and internship, as well as her post graduate work).
She is immensely knowledgeable and professional. Lately, she has been described as "quiet, but mighty!" Most of all, she is respectful of our clients and genuinely cares for them.
Honored to share the space with her!
No doubt this is the BEST place to get the BEST counseling service in ALL of St. Louis area.
