Family Therapy in Asheville, NC

I understand human development and thriving is difficult in this lifetime. I am here to be of help. This struggle may be found in a past trauma that is sticks out in your heart and mind as a thorn piercing in. Or maybe it's the neurodivergent attributes of yourself you haven't quite understood. Maybe you've been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and never learned anything about it or how to take care of it other than taking medication - or worse, thinking that you were inadequate. Maybe it's the navigation of unclear waters around your own psyche. May we create clear pathways together!

After 30 years of clinical experience with individuals and couples, I believe the process of psychotherapy strengthens relationships with the self and others, enhancing both insight and opportunities for growth. I bring an open mind, respect and practicality to the therapeutic relationship. I am currently offering treatment using teletherapy and in-person sessions. I am an out of network provider but am committed to helping you to receive reimbursement by your insurance and to adjusting the fee if necessary.

Stress and suffering are both undeniable aspects of the human experience. Many humans choose to deny, avoid, and repress emotion as a survival tactic. "I can't handle this. I'm overreacting." (Nice try, brain, but invalidation and avoidance actually tend to make things worse for us in the long run- the emotions we try to run from grow). I am passionate about empowering others to live authentically and wholeheartedly- in alignment with their goals and values. My approach is very direct, while also being warm, validating, and compassionate. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adolescents (13+) and young adults.

Whether you are in a crisis in your family or you are single and just want to improve your relationships, counseling can greatly impact the outcome. Having a supportive professional listen to your specific situation and help you with the tools to change or improve it is one of the most effective things that you can do, especially around areas of sexuality or trauma.

I work with parents and caregivers who are struggling with anger, stress, and feel burned out by the demands of caring for children and life. I help parents stop the heart wrenching cycle of irritation and activation (and maybe even shame) that can arise as we parent kids with challenging behaviors and big feelings. My clients are hard-working caregivers, wearing many different hats, and are striving to feel good enough at their many jobs and roles. This is HARD! Caregivers are the foundation of the family and you deserve to feel better, more confident, capable, more grounded and supported!

Sometimes our current way of being ourselves feels stuck. Perhaps something in you feels unhealed, unwell, dead, or disconnected, incapable, or inaccessible. There are innumerable ways to speak of a rich and fulfilling life, but I believe one thing required is a feeling a wholeness and integration in our way of being. Trauma, pain, shame, stuck patterns of disconnection – there can be many obstacles to a thriving way of being ourselves. If you can relate to this, I say with compassion: “Welcome!" I work with individuals and couples who want to cultivate deeper connection and fulfillment in life.

My clients are struggling in some relational aspect, whether it's related to a child, a partner, a parent, or connection to self. They often feel they've tried to find resolution, but are still experiencing distress and despair. They may experience frequent and/or intense dysregulation and have a hard time finding their way back to regulation. They often struggle with handling conflict and communicating in clear and authentic ways. Common issues are anxiety, life transition, grief and loss, trauma, and/or difficulty in a primary relationship.

I believe that the deepest healing happens when therapy is rooted in connection, empathy, and compassion, so my first goal is to create an environment in which you feel understood and supported. Likewise, I believe we are truly whole when our most important relationships are thriving – including our relationship with ourselves. Strengthening these relationships is a primary focus of my therapeutic approach, along with the attainment of embodiment, mindfulness, and freedom. I work from a psychodynamic and experiential perspective to guide you towards an experience of authenticity and alignment with yourself, others, and the world.

The mass of men (and women) lead lives of quiet desperation (Henry David Thoreau). But do we have to? As children we are often not allowed to make important decisions about our life and some suffer attachment issues and other forms of trauma that are outside of our control. Therapy is an active choice we can make as adults. It provides a sacred place where you can feel safe to ask yourself the most important questions: who am I? what do I want? who and what do I love? how do I want to spend my precious life? Change is not easy. Growth and learning is a life long process. It is never too late to become your authentic self.

Stability can often be disrupted in life when you and your family are going through a major transition. This instability can bring about all kids of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Regardless of the challenges you are currently facing, getting input from a professional outside perspective can hep you make sense of things, creating a clearer path back to stability. If you are looking for help right now, it means you have already begun to take proactive steps towards more peace in your life.

I work with adults and couples who have a wide range of goals and challenges. I believe connection to oneself, to others, to community and to spirit are fundamental issues that underlie the particular problems people bring to therapy, as well as the solutions that emerge through therapeutic work.

Wholeness leads to healing. I guide my clients to accept all parts of themselves and find balance in their lives. I entered the field of counseling with a passion for treating trauma (big T and little t trauma). Along the way I gathered some exceptional tools for doing so, including EMDR and a somatic approach to psychotherapy. Not so far removed from trauma, I have also developed a specialty in treating addiction of all kinds. I have seen the power of emotional healing to transform people's lives in ways they always wanted but didn't know how. I am here to help whenever the client is ready to do that brave and powerful work.

Shaaron Boyles, LCSW has been working with sexual offenders and those involved with the criminal justice system for over 20 years. She is clinical director of Milestone Evaluation and Therapy with a team of qualified professionals to provide extensive evaluations to those who require it from the courts or simply want to gain a better understanding of their behavior. Sex Offender Specific Evaluations are conducted on an individual basis with the whole person in mind. From this, specific treatment recommendations (when appropriate) will set an individual up for success.

Individuals I work with are tired of being tired, tired of anxious thoughts keeping you up at night. You may feel stuck in the cycle of unhealthy behaviors, the effects of trauma, or having difficulty asking for what you want and need. It may be hard to even know what you want or need. But you want something different. I see my role as a guide for you. I focus on helping you reconnect to your wise, compassionate and loving self. Having this connection will give you the clarity, confidence and compassion and connection you've been looking for.

The clients I work with are seeking therapy to navigate difficult life transitions, create repair after impactful life experiences, navigate complex relationships, regain their ability to experience a full range of emotion and have accountability without shame. Often, they are aware and understand what should be helpful to them, but struggle to turn that knowledge into change. We will work together to explore your relationship with yourself, how it developed and how it is impacting your ability to live a fulfilled life.

I enjoy helping individuals and families to navigate difficult life transitions, such as adolescence, by supporting them in managing the stressors that accompany these times. In my work, I use multiple modalities as well as my many years of experience to develop individualized treatment plans for my clients. In work that we do, my hope is that you will feel a sense of relief and accomplishment as you progress towards your personal mental health goals.

Now offering Ketamine & individual therapy- Are you looking to be relieved of the burdens your past trauma's carry? Live a more authentic life where shame or suffering aren't in the drivers seat? Seeking support is a brave & courageous decision. I am so happy you are here. I work with adults who are struggling with body image issues, disordered eating disorder, ADHD (or presumed ADHD), depression, and grief/loss. A specialty of mine is working with people who live in larger size bodies using a HAES (health at every size) approach. I truly believe you deserve to feel connected with yourself, your body, your community, and this earth.

Facing life's challenges and seeking change can be daunting. Whether you're exploring therapy for the first time or a family hoping to improve communication skills, I'm here to work with you through this journey. With a focus on children, teens, and young adults, I specialize in guiding clients through life’s tricky transitions including those with ADHD, autism, complicated families, bumpy relationships, and school or work troubles. My goal is to help you find a path forward, make meaningful change, and to thrive in life.

I know it is a challenge finding a therapist to fit your individual needs and the process can be exhausting. So I wanted to say thank you for putting in the effort for yourself and looking at my profile. I work with a variety of mental health disorders ranging from anxiety and depression, to substance use, to severe and persistent mental illness. I believe that each client deep down has their own answers and I work partner with and empower each client to find their true self. I incorporate a variety of modalities ranging from Internal Family Systems to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients explore and achieve their goals.