Ashley Abrams, MS ALC CTAPSB, has turned a personal struggle with mental health into a career dedicated to helping others. Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder at the age of 17, she felt embarrassed, ashamed, and scared. With little guidance available at the time, Abrams found that mental health was a taboo subject, and the diagnosis came with a stigma. It was these negative experiences that inspired her to pursue a career where she now works to guide and support young people facing similar challenges.
Abrams serves as a juvenile court liaison and outpatient therapist at AltaPointe Health, where she provides individual and family counseling and coordinates care between the court system, schools, families, and mental health resources. She works in Talladega, Randolph, Clay, and Coosa counties, focusing on helping youth navigate the juvenile justice system.
Her path to this career began in 2012, when she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from Troy University. In 2019, she earned a Master of Science in Counseling from Faulkner University. She returned to campus in 2024 for the annual Marketplace Faith Friday Forums where she was awarded the Accomplished Alumna Award for the College of Education. Reflecting on her time at Faulkner, Abrams describes the university as a place that felt like “home.” The professors and mentors she encountered there taught her more than just academic lessons—they taught her how to serve others, live out her faith, and lead with compassion.
“I had professors who were true examples of being a servant for others, letting your light shine, and putting others above themselves as Christ teaches us to do,” Abrams said.
These influences inspired her to become an active advocate for child welfare and juvenile justice reform. She is also a certified teacher of the “Parent Project” and a therapist specializing in the treatment of adolescent problematic sexual behaviors. Abrams is passionate about teaching young people that their struggles do not define who they are, and that they have the potential to overcome the challenges they face.
In addition to her direct work with clients, Abrams is committed to professional development. She serves as an instructor for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), providing juvenile probation officers with crucial knowledge about mental health. Abrams also serves on the board of the Randolph County Children’s Policy Council and is part of the Talladega County Multineeds Team, which helps address a variety of needs within the community.
For Abrams, the most rewarding aspect of her work is helping youth recognize their potential. “I want to teach what I wasn’t taught, help where I wasn’t helped, and show our youth that some of the things we struggle with the most in life are actually our own superpowers,” she said.
Abrams has since completed her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification and Clinical Trauma Specialist Certification. Her journey from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a powerful advocate for youth mental health is a testament to her dedication to service.
“The education I received while at Faulkner not only taught me what I needed to learn as requirements but also taught lessons I needed to know in life,” Abrams said. “This has been invaluable to me in my career.”
Faulkner University is proud to call Ashley Abrams an alumna, knowing that she continues to shine the light of Christ and make a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves.