Ashley S. Hart, PhD

My small, part-time, outpatient private practice (Willow Tree Psychology, PLLC) is exclusively devoted to cognitive-behavioral treatment of OCD, BFRB disorders (e.g., hair pulling disorder, skin picking disorder), OCD-related disorders involving negative body image (e.g., eating disorders, BDD), and anxiety disorders in youth and adults. I also treat PTSD in adults using evidence-based CBT protocols. I primarily use exposure therapy interventions and draw heavily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I have treated >250 individuals with OCD, OCD-related conditions, and anxiety disorders.

I have expertise in treating anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (in adults), outpatient-level disordered eating and body image, and depressive disorders, with or without co-occurring OCD. I integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches when treating these co-occurring conditions and, depending on the presentation, may address them consecutively (e.g., Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD followed by ERP for OCD). I also have been trained in and utilize the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders for co-occurring disorders when appropriate.

I began my clinical training in 2004 after studying and researching OCD-related phenomena in college. In my PhD training at Binghamton University, I specialized in cognitive-behavioral therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders in youth and adults. I completed my predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at VA Boston Healthcare System, where I had additional training in evidence-based approaches for anxiety disorders and PTSD. I obtained my psychologist license in 2010. I completed the IOCDF’s BTTI in 2012 and the Professional Training Institute for the Treatment of Hair Pulling & Skin Picking Disorders through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs in 2013.

I am a white heterosexual cisgender female. I strive to practice with cultural humility and sensitivity. I welcome the opportunity to work with individuals of different cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, national origins, ages, religions, assigned sex, gender identities, and sexual orientations. It is important to me to learn about an individual’s cultural context and to understand how this may affect the person’s symptoms and response to treatment.

I continuously seek out and learn about different cultures and identities through books, webinars, live trainings, and other resources.