Presley Ready, LCMHC-A

Pronouns: She//Her

As someone who is late-diagnosed and on the autism spectrum, this work feels very close to my heart. I’m especially drawn to supporting people who have spent much of their lives masking in order to be accepted, and who are beginning to gently reconnect with who they are underneath all of that.

 A lot of my work sits with both neurodivergence and complex trauma (cPTSD), and I care deeply about getting to the roots of long-standing patterns in a way that feels compassionate, grounded, and actually helpful—not overwhelming or pathologizing. I also hold a lot of care for the grief that can come with unmasking and self-understanding, especially when you start realizing how hard you’ve had to work just to get through life.

More than anything, I want to help people feel more at home in themselves again—and begin building lives that feel softer, more supported, and more truly their own.

 My style is gentle, empathetic, and pretty laid-back—I aim to create a space that feels soft, supportive, and safe enough for you to show up exactly as you are (sweatpants, snacks, big feelings, all of it). I take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach and believe you are the author of your own story, with me as a guide along the way. I work with complex trauma (cPTSD) and use modalities like EMDR, somatic (brain-body) work, parts work, and narrative therapy. These approaches can be especially helpful for trauma and neurodivergence, where experiences often live beyond words, as they support your nervous system in processing and shifting patterns that have been stuck for a long time. I focus on getting to the root of what’s going on while also helping you build stability, set boundaries, and create a life that feels more manageable.

I always hold in mind how much environment and lived experience shape mental health—especially for neurodivergent people and anyone navigating trauma—and I aim to create a space where you feel understood, not judged. Many of the concerns that bring people into therapy are shaped by trying to exist in spaces or systems that didn’t fully understand or support them.

You don’t have to force yourself to fit into a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. We can move at your pace and figure things out together as you begin to make sense of your experiences and what you actually need.I tend to work well with clients who feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or disconnected from themselves - particularly neurodivergent folks, LGBTQ2IA+ individuals, and young adults.

I draw from several therapeutic modalities depending on each client’s needs. My work is

informed by mindfulness-based and somatic techniques to support nervous system regulation and grounding, along with a person-centered approach that centers collaboration, authenticity, and a supportive therapeutic relationship. I also love to incorporate expressive arts for clients who find it helpful.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Liberty University

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology, University of Mobile

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate, North Carolina

 Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained - EMDR Consulting (2022)

Gottman Level 1 Training - The Gottman Institute (2022)

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) Clinical Training - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (2026)

National Certified Counselor (2024)

I have immediate availability for both telehealth and in-person in Hendersonville.  

If you are interested in working together, click below and select "Presley Ready" to schedule a free consultation!