All sessions are conducted under the clinical supervision of Timothy Sweatman, a licensed therapist at The Banyan Tree Center. This means clients receive attentive, evidence-based care with an additional layer of professional oversight.

I’m Ashley McNair, an associate therapist at The Banyan Tree Center in Athens, Georgia. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. I see clients in person and via telehealth, supervised by Timothy Sweatman.

At times the stress in our lives can seem to snowball, and it becomes difficult to stay okay in the midst of all the chaos. If that’s where you are right now, you might be feeling alone, unsure where to start, or completely overwhelmed by even the smallest steps forward. No one should have to work through that alone. I’m here to offer a safe space where you can talk through what’s going on and identify what needs to change in order to start living well.

I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia with a Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, and have been doing this work for eight years, including time at the Department of Family and Children Services in Bibb County. That experience working with people in some of their hardest moments shaped how I show up in the room today.

My style is direct and collaborative. I’m more straightforward than a lot of therapists, and I mean that in a good way. I’m not going to sit back and just let you talk at the wall. I’m going to engage, ask real questions, and work with you toward actual goals. I view each client through a multicultural lens, which means I recognize and respect how your identity and background shape your experiences, and I bring that awareness into everything we do together.

“I shoot straight. I want therapy to feel productive and I’ll work hard to make sure it is.”

Background and Credentials

• Master of Social Work (MSW) with Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Georgia (2017)
• BA in Liberal Studies, Georgia College and State University (2010)
• Associate Therapist, under supervision
• Gottman Level 1 training
• 8 years of clinical experience
• Prior experience at the Department of Family and Children Services, Bibb County

How I Work

• In person · The Banyan Tree Center, Athens GA
• Telehealth available
• Adults 18+

Approaches: CBT · ACT · DBT informed · Gottman method · Solution-focused · Multicultural lens

What I Specialize In

Anxiety in Athens, GA

Who I work with: Clients dealing with anxiety usually feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and frustrated with themselves for not being able to turn their brain off. Anxiety often shows up as worry, avoidance, irritability, perfectionism, and difficulty trusting yourself. It’s exhausting to live with, and a lot of people spend years trying to manage it alone before reaching out.

What we do together: A lot of the work involves helping you slow down, become more aware of your emotions, and stop avoiding the situations that feel threatening. We work on building confidence in your ability to handle things without constantly overthinking or preparing for the worst. Over time clients begin to feel more present, more peaceful, and more free to enjoy life without always feeling on edge.

Depression

Who I work with: Clients struggling with depression usually feel sad, stuck, and disconnected from themselves. Many deal with low energy, guilt, hopelessness, negative self-talk, and isolation. Some have stopped enjoying things they used to love, or feel like they’re just going through the motions to get through the day. It can be hard to explain and even harder to ask for help.

What we do together: We focus on helping you understand what may be contributing to how you feel while also slowly reconnecting you with yourself, other people, and daily life. We work on identifying unhealthy thought patterns, processing emotions that may have been pushed down for a long time, building routines, improving self-worth, and finding small realistic ways to increase motivation. Sometimes the work is simply helping someone stop being so hard on themselves and learning how to take better care of themselves. Clients begin to feel more balanced, connected, and capable.

Relationship Conflict

Who I work with: Clients dealing with relationship conflict often come in feeling hurt, disconnected, misunderstood, or stuck in the same arguments over and over. Many feel like communication has completely broken down, emotions escalate quickly, or they’re constantly walking on eggshells. Some feel unheard or unappreciated. Others struggle with trust issues, resentment, or difficulty expressing what they actually need. A lot of clients arrive exhausted because they genuinely love each other but can’t seem to stop repeating the same unhealthy patterns.

What we do together: I tend to be direct and active in this process. I help slow conversations down, identify the patterns that keep creating conflict, and learn how to communicate in a way that’s productive instead of reactive. We work on improving communication, increasing emotional awareness, setting healthier boundaries, rebuilding trust, and understanding both your own reactions and your partner’s more clearly. The goal isn’t perfection or never having conflict. It’s helping people feel more secure, supported, and capable of handling challenges together rather than against each other.

A Few Things I Want You to Know

Before your first session: My focus is on getting to know you and making you feel comfortable. It’s a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can talk about whatever is going on. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you walk in.

Something I wish more people knew: The weight you’re carrying matters. Having a safe space to talk through it can help more than you’d expect.

Who I do my best work with: People who come ready to talk. I have a lot of thoughts and I love a good back and forth. If you show up ready to engage and dig in, we’re going to get a lot done together.