Ashley
I am driven by a belief in the resilience of the human spirit, I partner with patients to cultivate hope, healing, and lasting wellness.
Ashley Adams, DNP, NP-P, PMHNP-BC is a dedicated mental health professional who obtained her advanced practice and doctoral degrees at Upstate Medical University. Known for a warm and empathetic presence, Ashley fosters a therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. With nearly a decade of diverse clinical experiences, she has a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and recognizes the importance of a holistic approach to treatment. Ashley integrates supportive psychotherapy and lifestyle interventions, with the aid of psychopharmacology as indicated, tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals.
Specialties: Depression and anxiety across the lifespan; Neurodivergence among children, adolescents, young adults and women
Get to Know Ashley
What inspired you to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Since I was young, I’ve had a strong sense of empathy and desire to care for others. Growing up, I witnessed the challenges many loved ones faced navigating mental health issues and the negative impact that not having access to mental health support and treatment had on them. My clinical experiences as a nurse only confirmed the need for more compassionate and competent mental health practitioners and solidified my passion to pursue my advanced practice degree specializing in psychiatry.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, writing, listening to music, spending time with my husband and children and being outside in nature. Prior to becoming a mom, I loved running, having ran many half marathon races and ran my first full marathon (26.2 mile course) two weeks before finding out I was pregnant with my first baby! I would love to run again but my knees aren't what they used to be. More recently, I am trying to learn how to bake bread from scratch and garden.. as a parent, finding self-care activities you can include your children in is a must for survival!
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what kind are they?
Yes! I am known by friends and family as “the crazy bunny lady” as I have had rabbits my entire life, often litter box training them so they could free roam in my home. My current bunny, Alfonzo, AKA Mr. Fonze, is 8 years old and grumpy and stubborn as ever! He is secretly a sweetie (on his terms) and enjoys saying hi to my telehealth patients who would like to meet him. I also have 2 rag doll kitties, Kaspur and Kirby, that we adopted this past fall. Their breed was rightfully given that name for a reason: There’s nothing like watching my toddler carry/drag them around while they remain docile, content and happy as can be! They are the sweetest and snuggliest cats and it warms my heart to see how patient they are with my kids.
What was your favorite book or TV show as a child, and why?
My love for thriller, mystery-type material started quite young. One of my favorite books was Bunnicula, so much so, that I literally dressed up as a vampire bunny when I was 7 years old. (I have the pictures to prove it!) Nothing like finding a book that brought together my obsession for rabbits and spooky!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower, I'd want to be able to time travel, mostly so I could relive some of my favorite memories, but also so I could see Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles in concert at their prime.. what a dream that would be!
What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
In my early 20's, I lived in Italy for a summer to be a live-in au pair for a family without knowing how to speak a word of Italian... It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life and taught me that human connection goes far beyond verbal communication. I grew so close with my host family despite the language barrier and am still in touch with them to this day.