Redbud Counseling Services is located in Suite 835 at 315 W Ponce De Leon Ave, Decatur GA 30030. For clients based in GA: I am able to offer both in person and virtual sessions. For clients based in NY: I am only able to offer virtual sessions.

For non-urgent practice information, please feel free to reach out in the following way: Phone: 404-855-0584 Email: ashley.ludwinski@redbudcounselingservices.com Mail: Redbud Counseling Services LLC Suite 835 315 W Ponce De Leon Ave Decatur, GA 30030 For all urgent support requests: Please contact 988 for urgent mental health support and/or go to your nearest emergency room.

I specialize in supporting individuals navigating trauma, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, chronic pain/illness, relational conflict, life transitions, and identity exploration across the lifespan. I am passionate about supporting folks identifying as neurodivergent (eg. autistic, diagnosed with AuDHD, ADHD, OCD, etc), especially those diagnosed later in life who may be grappling with implications of internalized narratives about themselves and their abilities, while also seeking options for identifying and implementing strategies to navigate through feelings of overwhelm. I draw from a range of theoretical approaches in my work with individuals, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC).

Generally, individual sessions are approximately 50-55 minutes long.

Understanding that we will both begin getting to know each other, you can expect our first session to include questions about you, your relationships and experiences, and your hopes. This is an opportunity for me to hear more about your experiences (both past and present), explore what you are hoping for in therapy, and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you have for me. If you have had previous experiences in therapy, I will generally ask what has felt both supportive and unsupportive in the past. Because we will continue getting to know each other throughout the duration of our time together, this is not the only time we have to understand your experiences and their potential impact. I understand that trust is earned in any relationship, so I respect and validate the need to build a relational foundation in the therapeutic space before disclosing and/or processing particularly difficult experiences.

I generally recommend that we meet at least every other week for the first 1-2 months to build rapport and begin to establish trust in the therapeutic space. I am able to offer weekly sessions if desired. If neither is feasible for you, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

I am skilled at supporting couples navigating the impact of loss/grief, infidelity, trauma, family of origin narratives on current functioning, life transitions, parenting, and communication challenges. I am also skilled at supporting couples in which one or both individuals identify as neurodivergent (eg. autistic, diagnosed with AuDHD, ADHD, OCD, etc). I generally draw from the Gottman Method, which is an evidence-based approach that focuses on improving connection and communication between couples, while also integrating other methods, including Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Terry Real's approaches.

I welcome any couple at any stage in their relational journey. I have supported LGBTQIA+, poly-, and ethically non-monogamous couples. Being married and/or engaged NOT prerequisites for seeking couples therapy. I have experience supporting folks determining whether they would like to commit to their partner long-term, those already in committed partnerships, individuals determining whether they would like to open their relationship, those exploring the possibility of separation and/or divorce, and individuals who have been married for decades.

I follow the Gottman Method's assessment process for couples which includes a 90-minute initial session with the couple and two subsequent individual 60-min assessment sessions (one per individual in the couple). After this, I offer 60-min sessions for couples.

In couples therapy, the individuals together as a couple (rather than the individuals separately) are considered my client. This means that while I hold all information confidential within the context of couples therapy, I am not held to the same standards of confidentiality between the individuals in the couple, unless I have ethical concerns. This prevents triangulation in the couples therapy dynamic. I review this nuance in detail with couples during consultations and the initial assessment session to ensure everyone is aware and able to consent to these policies. Because couples therapy also relies heavily on non-verbal communication, I strongly recommend that couples be present in the same physical location and on the same computer screen when engaging in couples therapy virtually. I have found this supports clients in maintaining connection with their partners throughout sessions.

Understanding that we will all begin getting to know each other, you can expect our first session to include questions about the history of your relationship, highs and lows throughout its duration, points of ongoing conflict, and hopes for relationship. This is an opportunity for me to hear more about your experiences (both past and present), explore what you are hoping for in therapy, and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you have for me. If either of you have had previous experiences in therapy, I will generally ask what has felt both supportive and unsupportive in the past. Because we will continue getting to know each other throughout the duration of our time together, this is not the only time we have to understand your experiences and their potential impact. I understand that trust is earned in any relationship, so I respect and validate the need to build a relational foundation in the therapeutic space before disclosing and/or processing particularly difficult experiences.

I recommend that couples complete the initial 90-min session and subsequent individual 60-min assessment sessions within a month to promote rapport building. I also recommend that couples schedule follow up sessions for at least every other week for the first 1-2 months to promote continued rapport building and identification of goals.

At this time, I am not in network with any insurance providers in Georgia. I am able to provide a superbill for clients upon request.

A superbill is a list of paid invoices that also includes diagnoses, my provider identification number, and license numbers. Clients can submit superbills to their insurance providers with the intent of applying invoices toward out of network deductibles. Every insurance provider and plan as a different deductible and reimbursement rate, so I strongly recommend individuals contact insurance providers directly to understand their personal benefits and plans prior to engaging in therapy. Individuals can learn more about superbills here.

My standard session rates for self-pay clients are as follows: Individual Therapy: $175 per 50-min session Couples Therapy: $300 per 90-min initial session (This includes a full Gottman Assessment and Print Out highlighting each couple's unique strengths and areas for growth/focus) $200 per 60-min sessions in the context of couples therapy (see Couples Therapy FAQs for more information)

I am able to offer a limited number of sliding scale (reduced fee) spots for clients. I believe in promoting access to mental health care for all. If my session rates are not affordable or negatively impact the frequency at which you hope to access therapy services, please ask about sliding scale options. Because each individual has the best insight into their own financial limitations, I do not request proof of income for sliding scale options. If I am unable to offer a sliding scale fee at an affordable rate for you, I am committed to supporting you in finding alternative care providers.

For self-pay clients: I use a HIPAA compliant payment option for self-pay sessions called IVY Payment. The Terms of Use for using Ivy Pay can be found here: Ivy Pay has a few benefits: I am able to charge clients for sessions without swiping a card at each appointment The service is secure and compliant with HIPAA standards for client confidentiality Client credit card information is stored with Ivy Pay and I do not have access to any client credit card information. During our first session: Clients will provide a phone number, which I will enter into the provider’s Ivy Pay app along with a charge for the session fee. Ivy Pay will text a secure link leading to a page where clients enter their credit card information and approve the first charge. After future sessions, I will use Ivy Pay to charge the stored credit card in alignment with the Payment Agreement. Clients will always have the ability to update their credit card information if desired. Should you have any questions or concerns about this payment method, please do not hesitate to reach out.

At this time, I am in network with the following NY insurers through Headway: * Aetna * Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Formerly Empire) I am able to provide a superbill for clients upon request for all self-pay clients to apply to out of network benefits.

A superbill is a list of paid invoices that also includes diagnoses, my provider identification number, and license numbers. Clients can submit superbills to their insurance providers with the intent of applying invoices toward out of network deductibles. Every insurance provider and plan as a different deductible and reimbursement rate, so I strongly recommend individuals contact insurance providers directly to understand their personal benefits and plans prior to engaging in therapy. Individuals can learn more about superbills here.

My standard session rates for self-pay clients are as follows: Individual Therapy: $175 per 50-min session Couples Therapy: $300 per 90-min initial session (This includes a full Gottman Assessment and Print Out highlighting each couple's unique strengths and areas for growth/focus) $200 per 60-min sessions in the context of couples therapy (see Couples Therapy FAQs for more information)

I am able to offer a limited number of sliding scale (reduced fee) spots for clients. I believe in promoting access to mental health care for all. If my session rates are not affordable or negatively impact the frequency at which you hope to access therapy services, please ask about sliding scale options. Because each individual has the best insight into their own financial limitations, I do not request proof of income for sliding scale options. If I am unable to offer a sliding scale fee at an affordable rate for you, I am committed to supporting you in finding alternative care providers.

For self-pay clients: I use a HIPAA compliant payment option for self-pay sessions called IVY Payment. The Terms of Use for using Ivy Pay can be found here: Ivy Pay has a few benefits: I am able to charge clients for sessions without swiping a card at each appointment The service is secure and compliant with HIPAA standards for client confidentiality Client credit card information is stored with Ivy Pay and I do not have access to any client credit card information. During our first session: Clients will provide a phone number, which I will enter into the provider’s Ivy Pay app along with a charge for the session fee. Ivy Pay will text a secure link leading to a page where clients enter their credit card information and approve the first charge. After future sessions, I will use Ivy Pay to charge the stored credit card in alignment with the Payment Agreement. Clients will always have the ability to update their credit card information if desired. Should you have any questions or concerns about this payment method, please do not hesitate to reach out.