Specializing in the treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Infertility, Birth Trauma, and related issues.
Serving Clients with Perinatal Mood disorders, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Trauma Recovery, and Women's Therapy
You don't have to have it all figured out to
keep moving forward
About Me
My name is Ashley Patrick. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) with a wealth of experience in multiple specialties within the focus of Behavioral Health.
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I created Halcyon Behavioral Health in order to provide individualized and client focused services. I specialize in reproductive mental health issues and have comprehensive training in providing care to women who are experiencing or have experienced perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, pregnancy loss, pregnancy after loss, and fertility difficulties. I have worked extensively with women who experienced birth trauma or were negatively impacted during labor and delivery due to earlier trauma, abuse, or attachment disorders.
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I have experience working with adolescents and adults as they navigated mental health disorders, substance addictions, and inpatient hospitalizations. I worked within the department of corrections. I found my most meaningful work was accomplished while providing care to women inside of a local OBGYN clinic working in partnership with medical providers who were passionate about empowering and educating women.
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I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This specialized therapy demonstrates that the mind can heal from psychological trauma, much as the body recovers from physical trauma. In addition to this, I utilize elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused techniques, and a variety of mindfulness based interventions appropriate for you.
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I received my Masters Degree in Social Work from Washburn University. I am also a Veteran of the United States military. In my spare time, I raise young children, navigate life with my husband, read avidly, attend conferences, and attempt to keep multiple plants alive.
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My goal is to provide empathetic trauma informed care. My authentic interest in others makes me want to empower and assist women towards identifying and escaping from negative beliefs, unhelpful attachment patterns, poor boundaries, and behaviors that keep them from living the life they want to lead.
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I know from experience, with help and compassionate care, you can be well. Contact me today to schedule your consultation at 785-670-0370 or email me at apatrick@halcyontherapytopeka.com
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Specializing in Perinatal Mood disorders, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Infertility, Trauma Recovery, and Women's Therapy
Anxiety & Depression around Pregnancy
Are you experiencing negative symptoms that you believe could be related to your pregnancy? Do you feel anxious or afraid about an upcoming birth?
Have you recently given birth and now don't feel like yourself or don't feel like you are connecting with baby how you thought you would? Are you more irritable and angry lately? Are you not sleeping and find yourself avoiding going out of the house?
Let's talk about how Perinatal Mood Disorders and some of their symptoms may be affecting you and what we can do to help you start feeling some relief.
You may be surprised to know how common some of the symptoms are and that you are not alone.
Women's Therapy
There is no right or wrong way to be a woman. Between work, family, children, relationships, and the inconsistent ups and downs of life, life is dynamic and, at times, challenging.
One goal of therapy is to bring to light the enjoyable times in our lives that don’t always seem relevant and to remind ourselves that there are no "little things" but rather things that we prioritize and things that we choose not to.
In a world where women are so often pitted against each other in comparison and goal achievement, imagine how your life might change if you slowed down and redefined strength, purpose, and empowerment.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
There are few things more difficult to even begin to heal from then the loss of a pregnancy or the loss of an infant. Sometimes the people around us may not understand all the hopes and dreams that we had already begin to develop and share with this tiny human, sometimes even long before they ever took a breath.
Its easy to place unnecessary blame on ourselves and then walk around all too heavy with guilt and anger. We can easily get mixed up about remembering our loved one and carrying all that weight.
Together we can honor and acknowledge the importance of that precious being while helping you take actions toward creating meaning beyond the loss.
Trauma & Abuse
When we experience trauma, sometimes we begin to feel like our pain is who we are as a person. All different types of abuse can cause pain and psychological distress. Intense emotions often continue to occur long after the abuse has ended. The effects can be so severe, that they interfere with an individual’s ability to live a normal and productive life.
Anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulty forming trust in relationships can get in the way of our happiness.
It can be difficult to see past the pain and sometimes it can even be difficult to see the possibility of transformational healing.
Fertility Challenges
Nothing takes over our lives quite like fertility challenges. We are often told to seek out specialized care and asked the most invasive questions over several visits. Questions about fertility can rock our relationships and put a hold on family planning.
It's challenging to know what our resources are and it's difficult to feel like we are getting answers.
You may feel consumed by the infertility process, feeling angry, drained, disappointed, sad, and yet still strongly hopeful.
You may question yourself and you may even question a higher power. No matter where you are in your process, you deserve a second opinion on those beliefs you are forming.
Online Therapy
The Coronavirus has brought about the increased need for better ease and ability to "attend" therapy.
Now, you can schedule and attend a session right from the socially distanced comfort of your own home. It's simple, secure, and it requires little to no technical knowledge on your part.
Online therapy is not appropriate for everyone but it is a very important tool. Depending on your situation and unique scheduling needs, online therapy may actually be able to break some of the barriers once faced with getting traditional therapy.