Meet Ashley Annestedt, LCSW
Clinical Expertise
Ashley Annestedt, LCSW (she/her) is the founder of Beyond Borders CBT. She holds permanent licensure in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, and Utah, and has worked with individuals in over 30 countries, offering culturally responsive and inclusive care across borders.
Ashley has devoted her career to the evidence based treatment of OCD, Tourette, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics (CBIT), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is passionate about increasing access to high-quality, science-backed mental health care—especially for underserved communities. Ashley has lived experience with OCD, particularly in her peri/post-natal period and understands the torture it can bring.
In addition to her clinical work, Ashley is actively involved in education, advocacy, and training. She regularly speaks at conferences and provides clinical supervision and consultation to fellow therapists. She also serves as a residential therapist at mental health camps worldwide and contributes to media outlets like HuffPost and Bustle, helping reduce stigma and share accurate mental health information with the public.
Ashley is a former faculty member at the University of Tennessee, where she trained multidisciplinary teams on pediatric anxiety, neurodiverse parenting, and related topics. She is committed to providing affirming, culturally attuned care and proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community as an ally. In addition to her clinical practice with Beyond Borders CBT, Ashley also is co-founder of Evidence Based Training Solutions , a destination continuing education company.
Education
Ashley earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis before embarking on a life-changing opportunity to work in East Africa. Her time in Kenya sparked a deep interest in OCD and related disorders, ultimately shaping the direction of her career. Upon returning to the U.S., she completed her graduate studies in Clinical Social Work at the University of Tennessee, where she was honored as a national LEND Fellow (Leadership & Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities). There, she also received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Committed to lifelong learning, Ashley regularly attends professional conferences and specialized training while staying current with the latest research in her field.
Personal
Ashley is an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast who thrives on adventure. She loves hiking, camping, and planning her next journey—having explored over 40 countries so far. She and her husband are currently working toward summiting some of the world’s highest peaks. At home, you’ll likely find her reading, cooking, or debating with one of her two teenagers.
Select Media Contributions
Counseling Schools
Expert Interview - How Covid-19 is Impacting Our Mental Health
International OCD Foundation
Adapting OCD Treatments to Telehealth
Bustle
7 Signs Analysis Paralysis is Ruining Your Relationship
HuffPost
9 Ways Therapists Personally Deal with Anxiety
OCD Stories
UpJourney
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others