Our team
THERAPY, COACHING
Ayston Scully, LMSW
I'm glad you've found your way here. Sometimes the hardest part isn't the pain itself, but the profound loneliness of it. Feeling lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain about where to turn or what to do next. Perhaps you're searching for clarity, but every path forward seems clouded with doubt, or maybe the fear of making the wrong choice has left you frozen, unable to move in any direction at all. You might look at your life and feel a heaviness about where you find yourself, wondering if things will ever truly change. Often, we find ourselves caught in patterns we can't quite see– reaching for the same solutions, ending up with the same painful results, feeling frustrated but unable to pinpoint what's actually repeating. Maybe you're struggling with the weight of expectations, navigating major life transitions, questioning who you are or who you want to become, or feeling stuck between the person others expect you to be and who you actually are. It's exhausting to keep trying without understanding why nothing seems to shift. My hope is to offer you something different: a space that is open, curious, and deeply compassionate. A place where you don't have to have it all figured out. Together, we'll look at your life's journey– the experiences that shaped you, the moments you're navigating now, and the future you're trying to create. We'll gently examine patterns that have kept you stuck, stories that have held you in pain, and uncover the tools that can truly make a difference. This won't be work you do alone. I'll walk alongside you as you begin to break through these challenges. My role is to be a steady, caring presence. Someone who believes in your capacity to find your way forward, even when you can't see it yet. Through our time together, my hope is that you'll discover not just clarity about your choices, but a deeper understanding of yourself and a newfound confidence to take on life's many trials.
My Philosophy
I lead with deep curiosity, wanting to gain a clear and thorough understanding not just of what brings you into therapy, but of who you are beyond your presenting problem. I believe that meaningful therapy isn't possible without trust and a deep sense that you are truly understood for who you are in all your complexity and context. I work from a narrative approach, helping clients parse through their stories, both past and present. Together, we'll explore where these stories came from (the messages you absorbed, the experiences that shaped you, the conclusions you drew about yourself and the world) and examine the impact they continue to have on your thoughts, feelings, and actions today. Some of these stories serve you well. Others may be holding you back in ways you haven't fully recognized. I blend cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches, as well as using insights from contemporary psychological research, in our work together. As a certified yoga instructor, I also draw from Eastern philosophy when it serves the work. My goal is not to impose a single method, but to meet you where you are and offer what will be most helpful for your unique journey toward clarity, growth, and lasting change.
Education
I received both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in clinical social work and have spent my entire professional life in human services. My work has spanned diverse clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric care, schools, and homes. I have extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults facing emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as children on the Autism Spectrum and their families, and adults navigating substance use disorders. In hospital settings, I have served individuals ranging from ages 5 to 85 and across varying levels of acuity. This breadth of experience has given me a deep appreciation for the many ways people suffer and heal, and has shaped my commitment to meeting each person exactly where they are ways people suffer and heal, and has shaped my commitment to meeting each person exactly where they are.
If you would like to meet and determine whether we are a good fit, please don't hesitate to schedule a 30-minute, no-cost consultation.