Biography
Dr. Joel Ashby is a Licensed Psychologist and health service provider for the State of Iowa as well as the owner of Family Legacy Counseling. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Family Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in California. Family Psychology is a specialty area that focuses on relationships in couples, families, and groups, and the broader contexts in which those relationships exist. This area of training enables Dr. Ashby to be particularly effective in understanding and working with individuals and the larger systems with which they are a part.
Additionally, Dr. Ashby is trained in the treatment of specific mood and anxiety disorders, as well as more persistent mental illness such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He conducts psychological assessments for Juvenile Court Services, as well as evaluations for personality disorders, ADHD, Intellectual Functioning, and bariatric surgery candidates, among others. His training in diverse settings, as well his post-doctoral residency at Philhaven Psychiatric Hospital in Pennsylvania, have prepared him to work effectively with issues that confront the individual and the family. He has been licensed as a Clinical Psychologist since 2010.
Joel’s areas of interest include:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT Therapy)
- Internal Family Systems Theory/Therapy
- Integration of client values and faith in psychotherapy
- Marriage and parenting issues
- Present-focused living (mindfulness)
- Healthy lifestyle coaching and planning
- Anger regulation via self/other compassion training
Therapist’s Statement
I am interested in most everything outdoors. Specifically, I’ve held a deep love for fly fishing in mountain streams and backpacking into remote alpine lakes. Having lived in California throughout my graduate education, and returned for many visits, I have been able to spend many nights in the back country of the Sierras. It’s an amazing place! If you want any advice on where to go camping and backpacking trip planning, be sure to ask away! I also enjoy rock climbing, photography, mountain biking, and anything that will test the limits of my endurance. I’ve learned academically, clinically, and experientially the tight correspondence between physical health and emotional and spiritual wellbeing. My three children keep me quite busy, too, and I love to introduce them to my outdoor passions. Living life head-on is very important to me, which means to me, working to live by my values and not live by the passing thoughts and feelings that can prevent valued living. Should you choose me as your therapist, I would hope to partner with you in your own journey of exploring, discovering, and living out the the meaningful life that you were intended to live. Looking forward to meeting with you!
Memberships
- Member of American Psychological Association
- Member of Iowa Psychological Association
- Member of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
