Ashley Barksdale

At Barksdale Missions, we are deeply committed to family well-being, destigmatizing mental health, and supporting other helping professionals during challenging times. These values are at the core of our mission, and we are proud to join your village. With a person-centered and holistic approach, we offer therapeutic support and resources to address various challenges and mental health diagnoses affecting individuals and families, spanning from adolescents to middle-aged adults. Our services are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages critical thinking, active learning, and the integration of faith and knowledge. - - - - MISSION STATEMENT Barksdale Missions is dedicated to empowering families through education and support during life’s most challenging times. Our mission is to affirm the value of life by fostering resilience, promoting healing, and strengthening the families of all those we serve. Through our efforts, we aim to contribute to family well-being while also working to normalize and destigmatize mental health. The vision of Barksdale Missions is to bridge the gap from research to practice while normalizing and destigmatizing mental health for overall family well-being. This vision drives our daily efforts as we work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of those we encounter. - - - - FOUNDATION I, Ashley Barksdale, founded Barksdale Missions out of a deep-seated desire to help others. From my earlier years, the notion of "being the support I once needed" has been ingrained in me. Thus, in 2015, I embarked on a journey within the realm of childbirth, recognizing a need for broader assistance. This realization propelled me into the fields of psychology, family science, social work, and therapy, as I sought to expand my capacity to help. Each opportunity presented itself serendipitously, affirming my chosen path. Every day, I strive to embody my authentic self. My life has been marked by numerous trials, resulting in an ACE score of 10, including experiences such as teenage pregnancy, challenges within blended families, struggles with familial addiction, and enduring family trauma. A former colleague once described me as a "different kind of Christian," a compliment that deeply resonated with me and reinforced my commitment to my actions. Since 2015, I've been reminded of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), which serves as the cornerstone of my beliefs. It emphasizes the importance of acceptance, irrespective of circumstances or differences. This belief is further strengthened by the conviction that those who have faced their own trials are best equipped to aid those currently enduring suffering (Hebrews 2:18). You are not alone. We, at Barksdale Missions, are here to help.