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Ashley Nicole DeArcia, LCMHCA

Ashley Nicole DeArcia, LCMHCA, therapist in Cary, NC Save Contact →

Experience3 years

SpeaksEnglish

Rate$170 / 50min

LicenseA21304

Verified · October 2026

Insurance Private Pay(Out-of-network)

Therapist

Ashley Nicole DeArcia, LCMHCA

Licensed in North Carolina

“I specialize in treating anxiety, ADHD, and OCD using ERP. I enjoy working with those who want to explore themselves on a deeper level beyond learning coping skills.”

Accepting new clients · Open
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Therapeutic approaches

Art Therapy Attachment-Based Therapy Breathwork & Body-Based Practices Cognitive DBT Existential Therapy Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) IFS Jungian Therapy Mindfulness-Based Motivational Interviewing Somatic Somatic Experiencing Support Groups

Areas of focus

ADHD Anxiety Life Transitions Self-Esteem Stress and Burnout

Who I work with

Adults Children Teens

About

There is something fascinating about the human mind, which is its capacity to reason, imagine, remember.. and yet to become entangled in its own thoughts. My interest in psychology has always extended beyond symptoms and diagnoses to the more intricate aspects of human nature: the influence of our histories, the contradictions within our personalities, and the unconscious patterns that shape how we experience ourselves and others. In therapy, I bring that same curiosity to understanding each person as an individual, with an appreciation for the complexity of being human and the occasional absurdity of having a mind at all.

I enjoy exploring the patterns that repeat across a person’s life, and the meaning they make of their experiences. When clients are interested, I also incorporate dream exploration into our work. Our dreams can offer another way of noticing emotions, conflicts, fears, and themes that may be difficult to recognize during waking life.

My approach

I specialize in treating anxiety, ADHD, and OCD using ERP. I enjoy working with those who want to explore themselves on a deeper level beyond learning coping skills. You may spend hours overthinking, feeling overwhelmed or second-guessing yourself. In therapy, we explore what's behind these patterns while finding different ways to respond. I bring humor into sessions when it fits because our minds can come up with some pretty ridiculous scenarios! With ADHD, you may know exactly what needs to be done and still struggle to start. I have specialized ADHD training and help clients understand why this happens and what actually helps.

Sometimes you can understand exactly why you're anxious and still struggle to feel any better. I also work with panic, phobias, and other anxiety disorders, helping clients gradually face situations they've become afraid of. We'll work on understanding your fears and helping you feel more confident doing things that have become uncomfortable.

What a first session with me looks like

My style is warm, relaxed, and very much come as you are. You can color while we talk, use one of my many fidgets (NeeDohs) play a game, or just sit and talk. I enjoy getting to know my clients and making therapy somewhere they feel comfortable being themselves, even when we're working on something challenging. I also offer Christian counseling upon request.

Education

  • Ms, Clinical Mental Health Counseling- UMO 2024

Training and certifications

  • Certificate in ADHD Assessment & Treatment, 2025
  • Certificate in Anxiety & OCD diagnosis & treatment, 2025

Outside the office

I’m a bit of a psychology nerd, so my curiosity about people doesn't always stop when the workday ends! I love a good laugh, meaningful conversations, and spending time with people who don't take themselves too seriously.

Practicing under the supervision of Erin Jones, LCMHC-S #S14137

The office

104 fountain brook circle Cary NC or virtual throughout all of NC

Visit Ashley Nicole DeArcia's practice website Get directions

Questions for Ashley Nicole DeArcia

What is a first session with you like?
Our first session is an opportunity for me to get to know you beyond what brought you to therapy. We'll talk about your history, what you've been experiencing, and what you're hoping to get out of our time together. There's no expectation that you know exactly what to say or where to start. We'll figure that out together.
What if I'm quiet, nervous, or don't know what to talk about?
That's completely fine! I actually enjoy working with people who are a little quieter or take time to warm up. I'm comfortable guiding the conversation, so you won't have to sit there trying to think of something to say. And yes, I have plenty of fidgets in my office if having something in your hands helps!
Do you see clients online, in person, or both?
Both! I offer in-person sessions in Cary and telehealth throughout North Carolina. Some days you might just not feel like leaving the house, and that's okay! You're always welcome to switch to a virtual session when you'd prefer to stay home.
What if we are not the right fit?
That's completely okay! Therapy is a personal experience, and finding someone you feel comfortable with matters. I never want you to feel obligated to continue seeing me if you feel another therapist might be a better fit. I'm always open to having that conversation, and I'm happy to help you explore other options or provide referrals. My priority is that you receive the care that's right for you, even if that isn't with me.
Is exposure therapy as scary as it sounds?
I promise we're not going to jump straight into your biggest fear! Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a well-established treatment for OCD, and we work collaboratively to decide where to start. The goal isn't to make you anxious for the sake of being anxious. It's to help you develop a different relationship with uncertainty, intrusive thoughts, and the urge to perform compulsions. Some exercises may feel uncomfortable, but you won't be expected to figure them out alone.
Will exposure therapy make my anxiety worse?
It's normal for anxiety to increase during an exposure, and that's something we'll discuss before getting started. ERP helps you learn that anxiety and uncertainty don't always need an immediate response. Over time, the things that once felt impossible to tolerate may become much more manageable. We work at a pace that's challenging but appropriate for you.
What if my intrusive thoughts are too disturbing to talk about?
You would be surprised how many people with OCD worry about this! Intrusive thoughts can involve violence, religion, sexuality, relationships, or things that feel completely inconsistent with someone's values. I've received specialized training in treating OCD across a wide range of themes, so you don't need to censor yourself out of fear that I'll misunderstand or judge you. We can take our time discussing anything that feels uncomfortable to share.
I've tried all the ADHD strategies I've been given, but nothing seems to work. Why?
That's something I hear a lot, and it makes sense!! You can have the best planner, reminders, routines, and organizational systems in the world, but none of them are helpful if you struggle to use them consistently. Sometimes a strategy works beautifully for a week and then suddenly stops being useful... The last thing I want to do is send you home with another list of things you've already tried. I'm interested in understanding why that happens, what gets in the way and how ADHD affects you individually.

On the bookshelf

Books Ashley Recommends

The Undiscovered Self: The Dilemma of the Individual in Modern Society C. G. Jung The Undiscovered Self: The Dilemma of the Individual in Modern Society

The Undiscovered Self: The Dilemma of the Individual in Modern Society

C. G. Jung

“Jung considers the tension between individuality and the collective, and the extent to which our understanding of ourselves is limited by what we are willing to acknowledge. I appreciate his view that self-knowledge is not synonymous with conscious awareness, but entails a confrontation with aspects of the psyche that may contradict our established sense of identity. It is a fascinating examination of human nature, and one I find relevant in a society so preoccupied with defining itself.”

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Ashley Nicole DeArcia, LCMHCA, therapist in Cary, NC

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