I do not participate in insurance networks and I do not provide superbills. All services are private pay.

Choosing not to work with insurance allows me to maintain greater privacy for clients and to focus on the relational work itself, rather than medical diagnosis or treatment limitations. Many of the couples and professionals I work with prefer this approach for discretion and flexibility.

All consultations are phone appointments only. They are a place for you to ask questions and see if we are a good fit. Intake sessions are in person and you must fill out paperwork beforehand to become an established client.

Yes, you can book your free consultation online through my scheduling page. Online booking for full sessions is only available to established clients.

While my practice primarily focuses on couples and relational work, I also work with individuals. Individual sessions often center on relationship patterns, family-of-origin dynamics, life transitions, and personal decision-making within the broader systems clients are part of.

If you’re unsure whether individual or couples work is the right starting point, we can explore that together during a consultation.

Discernment counseling is short-term and focused on helping couples decide whether to stay together or separate—not on fixing the relationship itself. It is for “mixed-agenda” couples, where one partner is leaning out and unsure, and the other is leaning in and hoping to work things out. The goal is to help you both gain clarity and confidence about your next step.

There are a maximum of 5 sessions. In Discernment Counseling, you decide each session whether or not you want to meet again. So, you can expect to finish within 4-5 weeks.

Yes. It’s common for one partner to feel ready before the other. Individual sessions can be a meaningful place to clarify your own patterns, responses, and options while your partner considers their readiness.

Because relationships function as systems, even one person’s shifts can influence the dynamic. If your partner later decides to join, we can thoughtfully transition into couples work.

If one person is leaning in (wanting to work on the relationship) and the other partner is leaning out of the relationship (considering divorce or separation), Discernment Counseling gives you a structured process to come to a decision about your future.

Most couples begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and establish meaningful change. As patterns begin to shift and progress becomes more stable, many transition to biweekly or as-needed sessions.

I will offer recommendations based on your goals and the stage of your work together. Frequency is collaborative, but I aim to ensure therapy remains consistent enough to support real progress.

The length of therapy depends on your goals and the complexity of the issues you’re navigating. Some couples seek focused work around a specific challenge, while others engage in deeper relational restructuring over time.

In the early sessions, we’ll clarify what you’re hoping to change and develop a clear direction for our work. I regularly check in about progress so therapy remains intentional and goal-oriented rather than open-ended.

You can reach out anytime by text (803.386.9813) or email at info@ashleylordcounseling.com.

I aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day. You can also book your phone consultation here. Full intake sessions cannot be booked online as a new client.