Skip to main content

Ashley Kuhn

MS

Clinical Instructor

Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, IPS Team Lead

 

Location:

UNC Wake STEP Community Clinic and STEP Carr Mill Community Clinic 

Education and Training:

MS Clinical Mental Health Counselor with specialization in Addictions Counseling

BS Psychology

Summary Statement:

Ashley completed her practicum at Easterseals United Cerebral Palsy in the Child Services and the Multisystemic Therapy program. She worked with children in foster homes who have experienced trauma, as well as families and adolescents who have experienced criminal and/or substance use challenges.  Ashley completed her internship at Dream Provider Care Services gaining experience in outpatient therapy and facilitating SAIOP, an intensive substance abuse outpatient treatment program.

 

My career path:

In 2015, Ashley started working as an Employment Peer Mentor and became certified as a Peer Support Specialist on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team at Easterseals United Cerebral Palsy in eastern NC. In 2017, she was promoted to the Team Lead position of the IPS team. Ashley led her team to good fidelity, the only Easterseals team in North Carolina to have accomplished that standard.  She worked to improve collaboration, partnerships, and quality in her first year as the Team Lead. She prided herself in keeping her team invested and connected, and this showed in the quality of services provided.

 

Ashley has many years of experience working in the mental health field with individuals who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Her goal throughout her career has been to break the stigma associated with mental health and substance use challenges, and that individuals are not labels.  Even with serious mental health challenges, with the proper guidance and support, most individuals have the capacity to identify and achieve employment goals. Ashley is a strong advocate for IPS and believes that being able to help individuals regain control over their lives, improves their quality of life and benefits the community. Ashley believes that everyone deserves the right to pursue work. As we continue to support individuals with reaching their goals, we continue to bring awareness and break the stigma of mental illness.