Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Birmingham, AL

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), I am passionate about helping individuals heal from the wounds that continue to shape their present. I am the CEO and Founder of Mental Freedom Counseling Services LLC, proudly recognized with the Best of Alabama 2026 Award in Counseling and Therapy Practices. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, and substance use, while maintaining a special passion for attachment wounds and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. I believe many of our current struggles make sense when we understand where they began.

My goal is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where you feel truly seen and understood. Together, we'll identify patterns that no longer serve you, strengthen healthier ways of coping, and work toward lasting emotional freedom. Whether you're navigating painful relationships, unresolved trauma, or simply feeling stuck, I strive to help you build insight, healing, and confidence so you can create the life and relationships you deserve.

You’re capable and use to managing a lot, but lately life feels overwhelming.

I’m Ashley Walay, LICSW, and I work with BIPOC women and LGBTQ+ individuals, professionals, single parents, and military-connected individuals (including spouses, veterans, contractors, and civilian employees) experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, chronic stress, and life transitions.

I value clear, direct communication and tailor therapy to your needs, whether you want tools or space to process. Together, we’ll work toward greater clarity, balance, and confidence.

I specialize in supporting adults as they navigate identity, relationships, and life transitions, as well as children, teens, families, and adults dealing with stress, anxiety, emotional challenges, substance use concerns, and life changes.

My approach is culturally responsive, affirming, and warm, and I tailor treatment to meet each person where they are. I also incorporate clients’ faith and spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process when desired, as part of a holistic approach to care.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Doctorate in Social Work, and I bring both clinical expertise and real life understanding into the therapy space. My professional background includes years of direct clinical practice as well as leadership roles in complex, high stress systems, including serving as a Mental Health Director. These experiences have shaped my ability to support individuals who are navigating pressure, responsibility, and emotional overwhelm while still being expected to function at a high level.

I work best with clients who are strong on the outside but struggling internally. Many of the people I support are women, mothers, professionals, caregivers, and helpers who are used to showing up for others while neglecting their own emotional needs. I have a particular passion for working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, burnout, life transitions, relationship stress, identity concerns, and trauma related to past or ongoing stressors.

Therapy with me is not about having all the answers. It is about learning how to trust yourself, set healthy boundaries, and show up for your life with more compassion and confidence.

I speak Haitian Creole!

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage! I am here to support you in that process.

I am a dedicated Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

with a wealth of experience providing direct therapeutic services to diverse populations.

With advanced degrees in Social Work and Child Development, I am skilled in

conducting complex bio-psychosocial and diagnostic assessments for children,

adolescents, and adults. I provide individualized, evidence-based treatment

for individuals, couples, and groups, addressing a broad range of behavioral health

challenges including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety,

adjustment disorder and grief. My clinical practice is grounded in a variety of proven

modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy

(CPT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a profound commitment to

patient care within demanding environments, including military and outpatient settings.

I have served as a primary therapist in the Army Embedded Behavioral Health clinics,

supported the Army Family Behavioral health Clinic, and provided on-call crisis support for

hospital emergency rooms. A core component of my work involves developing and

monitoring individualized treatment plans to ensure measurable progress and positive

outcomes for my clients. By providing specialized, person-centered counseling and

intervention, I empower my clients to achieve recovery and wellness.

As a single mom of color, I have witnessed the extreme societal pressure placed on mothers to choose between their career or their children; leaving little room to even provide attention to their own self care. This ignited a passion within me to use my skills to support women to navigate through the chaos. My goal is to work with those women who may need help coping through these very real everyday stressors. Not a mom? That's ok! I can also empathize with the pressure placed on women of color in the workplace to work so much harder than their male counterparts. Its my hope to create a safe space for you to explore these feelings.

It can be challenging at times for women to have access to a therapist who can empathize with their experiences. Through a strengths based approach, I would love to share my personal experience with being a woman of color, a mom, a Christian, as well as a goal oriented professional in non-profit leadership and mental health.

Through this journey, I want you to find a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and self worth and I would be honored to take that walk with you. Our sessions will not be for me to "social work" you, but for you to unload some of the pressure and burden to make the ride a bit easier. No matter what it feels like, you got this... you can do this!

Thank you for taking a moment to view my profile. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I serve the adult and geriatric population. I am a proud graduate of both the University of Georgia Graduate School and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.