FAQ & Blog

Thank you for visiting our FAQ page to find out a little more information about our practice. Researching your potential therapist is an excellent first step to determine whether you will have a good fit once you meet in person. Hopefully the FAQ below will give you more information about our practice, but please feel free to send an email to the owner Asha Gray LPC at asha@ashagraylpc.com if you have further questions.

What is your therapy model or what might a session be like with you?

Asha Gray LPC

I use what is known as an integrative therapy model. This means I mix and match different therapeutic modalities I find useful depending on what the person in front of me needs, creating an individualized plan of treatment. I particularly find Internal family systems, solution-focused, attachment based, and cognitive behavioral therapy useful because they are models that can assist people with understanding where a behavior, feeling or thought started, in what dynamics it's likely to show up, find alignment with our parts and change perspective in a more efficient and long-term way. I believe in assisting people with perspective change in order to work through their barriers but also in teaching coping skills for when perspective change falters. I also provide active suggestions, opinions, resources, psychoeducation, and homework assignments when necessary, rather than only assisting in passive reflection. For those in search of trauma therapy, I use an internal family systems, attachment based, harm reduction and empowerment model.

Medora Frazier LPC

Providing a safe and supportive environment, I allow an individual to process their experiences and learn coping skills as desired. My areas of expertise include using a holistic approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Psychoeducation to provide peace within my client's.  

Rachael Stern MSW

From clinical experience with eating disorders, self-injury, trauma, chronic pain, couples and larger family systems, ethically monogamous, kink, and the entirety of the LGBTQIA umbrella to professional work in issue focused non-profits and campaigns (and even performing), Rachael is deeply in tune with the political and social ecosystems that our intersectional identities transverse on a moment to moment basis and is committed to be a lifelong student learning about her client’s unique identities and what these mean for their experience of the world and the world’s experience of them.

Kay Lewis MFT

I believe in providing safety, acceptance, and support to those navigating the areas of life causing issues of conflict, confusion, and stagnation of growth. Using a systemic approach, I incorporate Solution-Focused and Narrative therapies into my work with both individuals and couples. I am an ally of the LGBTQ+, kink, polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous communities. 

Ashleigh Joyner Intern

In my role as a counselor, I aim to provide a safe, accepting environment for my clients to process their experiences. Person-centered, feminist, strength-based, cognitive behavioral, narrative, and solution-focused therapy are some of my favorite approaches. In my sessions, I want to create an environment that is affirming of body positivity, trauma informed, LGBTQIA affirming, kink accepting, and poly affirming. 

Becky Howell Holistic Wellness Coach

While no session is 'typical' as Becky takes a lot of pride in offering a personalized experience designed to each client and their needs, a session will address various aspects of a person’s well-being—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—through a combination of techniques and practices.  Appointments may be used for any type of holistic wellness support including: help with executive functioning, sleep, health concerns, work-related skills or challenges, neurodivergence challenges, anxiety, lack of motivation or inability to function as a leader, stress, communication concerns, general unhappiness, wanting to make changes but not knowing how... and so much more. 

What does sex positive, kink and neurodivergent affirming, body positive, etc., mean?

It means when you come into a session with us, we will not judge you based on how you look, what you are into, who you are into or how your brain works. Seems basic right? But, as we all know, not every therapist is created equal, and some harbor internal biases against what they consider non-normative. You’ll have no issue with that here. We believe if you are engaging in a behavior that fulfills you and does not cause you or anyone else non-consensual harm, then you should continue to do so. However, if you are having difficulty or are feeling negatively about an activity/behavior you’re engaging in, we can assist you with working through your discomfort to determine what the best course of action is for you. 

Can you provide premarital counseling?

Yes, Asha Gray, can provide non-religious, sex positive,  neurodivergent affirming, premarital counseling. Our practice also provides relationship counseling for individuals and couples, and marriage counseling. These services are not covered by insurance.

Who do you provide counseling to?

We provide counseling to adult individuals and couples. Adults are defined as individuals over the age of 18. We have experience providing sex, trauma and neurodivergent aware therapy to individuals and couples seeking sexual and gender identity growth. We do not provide family therapy or therapy to children. In the case of relationship dynamics with more than two individuals seeking short term therapy, please email us before booking an appointment.

What is wellness coaching?

Holistic Wellness is an approach to wellness and health that considers the whole person—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on treating specific symptoms or conditions. It recognizes that all aspects of a person's life are interconnected, and that achieving optimal health and happiness involves nurturing balance in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual domains.

Key components of holistic wellness include:

1. Physical Wellness: This involves taking care of your body through proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, hydration, and managing stress. It's about feeling good physically and maintaining vitality. Becky has been a professional in the massage, sports recovery, herbal medicine, and natural wellness for over 20yrs and brings this to her coaching.
2. Emotional Wellness: Recognizing and managing emotions in a healthy way, cultivating self-awareness, and developing emotional resilience. It may include practices like mindfulness, therapy, journaling, and meditation. Becky has also studied and certified in a number of emotional and somatic-emotional techniques to help bring balance to the emotional body. 
3. Mental Wellness: This focuses on cognitive health, mental clarity, and developing a positive mindset. It involves practices that stimulate the mind, such as learning, creativity, and problem-solving, while also addressing any mental health challenges like anxiety or imposteritis. Using our brains to heal should be a no-brainer:) Inner-child work, Parts Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and Becky's own framework helps move clients from awareness through to healing and understanding themselves.
4. Spiritual Wellness: This aspect of wellness is about finding a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something larger than oneself. It could involve religious beliefs, meditation, nature, living in alignment with personal values, or more esoteric topics.
5. Environmental Wellness: Creating a supportive environment that nurtures well-being, whether that's at home, at work, or in the community. This includes living in a clean, sustainable space and reducing exposure to harmful elements.

Holistic wellness aims to create harmony between these elements, encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health and well-being in a balanced, integrated way. It's about prevention, personal growth, and thriving across all areas of life, rather than simply reacting to illness or imbalance.

How do telehealth services work?

Telehealth services have become much more popular and common since 2020. But there's still a lot of confusion about how it works. Telehealth means you can receive your therapy services via video on your phone, tablet or computer via an internet connection. We provide telehealth services via a HIPAA compliant platform. To receive telehealth services you must be located in your therapists state of licensure at the time of the service. For example, that means if your clinician is licensed in DC you must be located in DC at the time of your services. 

We ask that you be in a therapeutically appropriate and safe space for your services. That might be your home, a non moving car, your office with a closed door, sitting or walking outside when you aren't near other people, who could hear you. If you are in a place that is semi-private, we ask you use headphones and take every reasonable precaution to assure privacy and safety. If you are not in the state of your clinicians licensure or the clinician believes the space is not private enough or safe, your session will be ended and rescheduled. 

What are your credentials?

Asha Gray is a licensed professional counselor for DC license# PRC14418 and Virginia, license# 0701008042. Her NPI# is 1336563527.

Medora Frazier is a LPC for VA and Ph.D. in Neuropsychology at Howard University. Virginia License #  0704010860. Her NPI# is 1619717790. 

Rachael Stern is a MSW for DC license# LG200002347, Maryland license# 16950, and Virginia license# 0903003714. Rachael is supervised by Katie Bowler LCSW.

Kay Lewis is a MFT for DC, NPI# 1629815022. DC does not provide license numbers for MFT's. She is supervised by Dr. Symphonie Sanders LMFT licensed in DC. 

Ashleigh Joyner is a psychotherapy intern, graduating in December 2024, with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Old Dominion University. She is supervised by practice owner, Asha Gray LPC. 

What is a residential or provisionally licensed clinician?

A residential counselor, sometimes known as a graduate or master's level counselor, is a provisionally licensed counselor. The purpose of the residency period is to train residents to become fully functioning independent professional counselors, therapists, or clinical social workers. While in residency counselors are provided clinically supervision on all cases by a fully licensed counselor.  Residency occurs after clinician has completed an internship of 600 or more hours at an accredited university or college.

What is a Psychotherapy Intern?

An Intern is a masters or doctorate level student working on the therapeutic practice portion of the degree. Their internship is the last step before graduating and receiving their limited license. They are supervised by a site clinician. At Blue Box Psychotherapy the site clinician is owner, Asha Gray LPC. They additionally receive support and supervision by their internship professor and university advisor. When working with a psychotherapy intern, their supervisor’s information will be included on the superbill. So for insurance purposes, you’d be able to submit a claim under the intern's supervisor's name. If you don't have insurance, interns offer a low sliding scale. Finally, an intern is usually only with the practice for a total of a year. Once their internship is completed you may choose to continue on with your clinician or will be given referrals of other therapists to reach out to, if needed. 

How do I set up an appointment?

For all new clients please email owner your chosen clinician or coach, about availability of sessions before scheduling. If you aren't sure who is a good fit would, reach out to the practice owner Asha Gray at asha@ashagraylpc.com . Please include a few words about your current needs in therapy, your insurance plan, preference of therapist, gender or ethnicity, desire for in person or telehealth sessions and requests for sliding scale, if needed. 

We ask that folks cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before their appointment time so they are not held financially responsible for the session fee. Insurance does not cover missed or late canceled sessions. Please be aware when booking a session you will be asked for a payment to hold your session. This can be changed when we meet, if needed. If you do not have a payment method to put on file, please contact us so another arrangement can be made.