News & Events in Kalamazoo

Posted May 15, 2026

After years of masks, distancing, and uncertainty, we’re officially retiring our COVID-19 policy at Inner Peace Counseling! No longer will you see it in our new intake paperwork for new clients. We made it through.

This milestone represents more than a policy change. It represents:

• Collective resilience
• Community care
• Healing through unprecedented times
• Hope for what’s ahead

To every client who showed up for in-person therapy during a pandemic, thank you. Your commitment to your mental health during one of the hardest chapters in recent history inspires us.

Here’s to moving forward, while honoring all we’ve learned about flexibility, adaptation, and taking care of each other.

Posted May 4, 2026

It’s time to publicly share a well-kept secret being held by current clients…

Meet my therapy dog in training!

I’m thrilled to introduce the newest (and furriest) member of Inner Peace Counseling, PLC: Kaia (pronounced “Kye-a”), a 9-month-old rescue who’s working toward her therapy dog certification. Animal-Assisted Interventions can offer incredible benefits:

• Helping clients feel safe and understood
• Offering an opportunity to better regulate the nervous system
• Opening doors in the therapeutic process
• Supporting emotional awareness and self-care skills

Kaia is currently enjoying being in her forever home (with me) and has been doing a lot of training to be ready for this new venture. Soon she will start offering her gentle, intelligent presence in the office.

Participation is completely voluntary – both for clients AND for Kaia.

Stay tuned to see more of this sweet girl.

Posted July 18, 2022

COVID-19 Update

Hello all,

I hope you are having a good week. While our office continues to take precautions (which you can find more information on here) during the ongoing pandemic, we have noticed an increase in those testing positive for COVID-19. Kalamazoo county also recently increased the risk level of our area to “High.”

Luckily, the precautions our office takes (e.g. completing COVID-19 tests, wiping down communal surfaces regularly, not coming to work when feeling ill, having seating spaced 6 feet apart, using a HEPA air filter on its highest setting in the therapy room, etc.) minimize risk in a way that actually doesn’t constitute your session to be what the CDC currently defines as “close contact” with someone else. However, we care about you, your health, and your comfort. Please let us know if you would prefer us to be masked during your visit.

In addition, here are some reminders about what you can do to further protect yourself while on site so that we can continue to offer in-person services that are essential for many during this (continued) difficult time:

• Use the hand sanitizer provided to you at the entry way first thing upon arrival prior to touching anything else.
• Avoid coming to visits in-person if you feel ill or had a high risk exposure recently. When this happens, simply contact us to reschedule.
• Avoid communal areas (e.g. bathrooms, drinking fountains).
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Wait until the time of your appointment to enter the building in order to avoid contact with someone exiting.
• All those other important things we learned from Kindergarten.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions on how to continue to navigate this as best we can for us all, please don’t hesitate to contact us. And, while the formal recommendation for safe masking has recommended an upgrade to a KN-95 mask, due to availability shortage, we are not able to provide you with those while on site. So, please remember to bring your own KN-95 mask or a standard surgical mask can be provided to you on site upon request.

Thanks for helping us all stay sane and healthy out of love for each other, rather than fear. Stay healthy inside and out!

Posted March 3, 2022

COVID-19 Mask Update

As soon as we entered into this Pandemic, I promised to keep you abreast of changes in policy related to services in order to promote safety for all. As of today, I have an update from our landlord: Masks are no longer required while on site, as you will see from the change of the sign on the door to enter the building.

We continue to take proactive steps to protect all while on site, such as having chairs socially distanced, offering frequent professional cleaning, and encouraging the disinfecting of hands when one arrives on site via the provided hand sanitizer, etc. If anyone prefers to continue to use face coverings even while socially distanced in the office, if we are not already wearing one at the time of your visit, please ask us to apply a face covering as we are happy to do so in order to continue to offer services during such an important time.

In the meantime, you can find more information about our policies and changes related to COVID-19 here. Thanks for staying so flexible and understanding during this crazy time. We will continue to all get through this together.

Posted August 6, 2021

COVID-19 Mask Mandate Update

We have an important COVID-19 update. In keeping with the COVID-19 updates offered by Kalamazoo County, our landlord is now requiring masks while on site, regardless of vaccination status, effective immediately and until further notice. Please make note of this for your next visit. A sign will also be added to the door of our office as a reminder about this current policy.

If you have concerns about a medical issue that prevents you from wearing a mask, please be reminded that we also take your privacy seriously in this way and ask that you merely inform us of this fact so that we can make appropriate accommodations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let your provider know immediately. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as this situation continues to unfold. Given that there is inherent risk in in-person visits during a pandemic (and at all times), we can assure you that we continue to take the recommended precautions in order to continue to be able to offer support. We just so love to see you in 3D!

Posted June 1, 2020

COVID-19 Response Plan

[Sent by email on 6/1/2020 at 5:29pm and also posted on my professional Facebook page, titled “COVID-19 Response Plan”; updated last on 7/1/2020 at 2:48pm]

“I do not need to remind you that this is an uncertain time. I greatly appreciate your patience as I have worked to stay in communication relative to sorting out what are the actions I need to take as a business owner in order to respond best to the current COVID-19 pandemic. After much collaboration and consultation with various agencies, boards, and individuals who can provide guidance on “best practices,” I now have more clarity and a formal “Response Plan” for my business, Inner Peace Counseling, PLC.

Although there was still much in flux, I continued to monitor public-health guidance and client feedback carefully so the office could resume in-person sessions as safely as possible.

Therefore, I am notifying you of the following plan purely in accordance with Governor Whitmer’s Executive order 2020-91 from May 18, 2020, which requires business to have a response plan “readily available to employees, labor unions, and customers, whether via website, internal network, or by hard copy” by June 1, 2020.

My practice will continue to follow best practices to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on site. Efforts I personally will be taking at Inner Peace Counseling, PLC to reduce transmission include the following:

• Increased distance between chairs in my waiting room.
• Reduced access to the public restroom located in my suite unless access is formally requested at the time of your appointment.
• Wiping down communal surfaces between in-person visits with disinfectant.
• Eliminating access to the communal water cooler in my waiting room.
• Personally wearing a face covering during in-person visits.
• Adjusting the distance of my therapy chair to be 6 feet apart from clients.
• Avoidance of physical contact (e.g. handshaking) when in the office.
• Requiring face coverings to be worn when on site. If someone arrives on site and does not have a face covering, or if someone requests additional protection (e.g. gloves), they will be provided such Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
• Washing my hands or using hand sanitizer in between visits.
• Opening doors for clients upon their exit in order to minimize the touching of communal space.
• Continuing to have the office professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
• Having all clients sign an Informed Consent of risk before an in-person visit can be completed.
• Requiring that those on site report any symptoms of illness prior to their visit.
• Relaxation of office policies to allow for a waived no show/late cancellation fee if an absence is due to suspected COVID-19 infection.
• Screening all clients prior to in-person visits if they have any symptoms of any illness, have traveled recently, or have come in contact with anyone they know who is at higher risk for COVID-19 infection (e.g. someone else who has traveled recently or has symptoms of COVID-19).
• Compliance of the regulation to notify local health authorities if a client or myself have tested positive for COVID-19; in addition to informing clients if anyone who has been in my office tests positive for the virus. This notification will, however, only include information that is absolutely necessary for medical purposes.
• Posting this Response Plan on my website and office door.
• Updating any policies as needed in order to maintain best practices for prevention.

Related to such a Response Plan, I also ask that, per both the CDC guidelines and my landlord’s requirements, you adhere to the following precautions when in-person services resume in order to help keep everyone safe. If you have any concerns about these precautions, please contact me to discuss them.

• Unless not possible due to a medical condition, wear a face covering while on the premises. If you would like additional protection (e.g. gloves), they will be provided to you.
• Notify me if you are deemed an “essential worker.”
• Avoid touching your face or eyes with your hands.
• Keep a 6 foot distance from others and do not engage in physical contact with others.
• Avoid non-essential contact with communal surfaces/areas (e.g. countertops, books, children’s toys, restroom).
• Immediately upon entering my office, use the alcohol-based hand sanitizer provided to you in the lobby to clean your hands.
• Avoid having any guests accompany you to your appointment unless medically necessary or unless previously planned with Inner Peace Counseling, PLC.
• Arrive as close to your appointment time as possible. If you arrive to your visit and there is another person waiting in the lobby, please return to your vehicle and wait to enter until that person has exited the building. Or, if you feel more comfortable doing so, message me (e.g. email or secure message through your client portal) at the time of your appointment to get confirmation that you are ready to enter.
• Notify me immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of any illness (e.g. fever, cough, difficulty breathing).
• If you are ill, contact the office before your in-person appointment.

Please note that we are all doing our best to stay abreast of changes and requirements as they continue to shift. Therefore, please also note that this formal Response Plan may be updated at any time and that it is your responsibility to check for any updates prior to your visit and to inform me if there are any changes in the status of your health or concerns related to such policies. Please review an adhere to the above policies to promote safety until you are notified that such a Response Plan no longer applies. You can find an updated copy of my practice Response Plan at this location of my website: https://kalamazoo-counseling.com/newsevents-kalamazoo/.

Thank you for your patience with all of this. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please let me know. You can contact me at ashley@kalamazoo-counseling.com or at 269-254-1211. I look forward to seeing you in the office again soon!

Notice — March 18, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Updated Office Policies

Greetings,

Upon keeping up-to-date with recent governmental recommendations and reflecting on what I feel is my social responsibility to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), I made temporary changes to office operations effective immediately. This applied to both new and existing clients, and the timing of each change depended on continued public-health guidance.

This decision followed guidance from public-health agencies and insurance companies during the public health emergency. Please contact me with questions about your coverage or upcoming appointment.

The following precautions were based on the guidance available during the public health emergency. Please contact me directly with any questions about your appointment.

I know we are all feeling the stress of shifting societal norms. So, I would also like to take a moment to encourage you that this is not a time to fear. It is merely a time to respond and practice showing love and support to one another in this time of need. Given this, if you or anyone you know is struggling, I would like to be more accessible via different communication methods and also through doing some additional pro bono work.

Given this desire to be more accessible, you can connect with me through normal communication channels (e.g. email, secure messaging through your portal). However, I am also transitioning to being available via secure (end-to-end encrypted) text messaging via the WhatsApp application for smartphones. You can reach me at (269) 213-5002 using this method of communication. And, although I will still be responding to communication through my general office number, (269) 254-1211, I would encourage you to use the WhatsApp application for number (269) 213-5002 to communicate with me via phone during this time due to the ease of accessibility and its privacy features.

As I mentioned in a previous email, based on trends around the world, I continued to monitor changes related to social interactions and public-health guidance. I viewed it as my ethical responsibility to offer clear updates and support during this unprecedented global climate.

I appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued efforts for your own support throughout this societal shift. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me. Please check for updates prior to your visit and inform me if there are any changes in the status of your health or concerns related to office policies.

Sending you peace and resilience,

Posted February 16, 2018

Thanks to Natural Awakenings magazine for the features in this month’s magazine!

Posted January 31, 2018

Effective immediately: After much consideration, to make way for some bigger and better things coming down the bend, I will no longer be hosting monthly meditation groups at my office.

If you are still interesting in learning more about mindfulness and meditation, look for my upcoming two-part article on the topic in the Natural Awakenings magazine or contact me for other local resources to deepen your practice.

Thanks for sharing space with me. May your awareness only continue to grow!

Posted December 4, 2017

Not sure to do when a loved one needs help? You are not alone. Hopefully this article, found in The Greater Kalamazoo’s Women’s Lifestyle Magazine November 2017 edition, can offer some guidance! Here is a link to the content.

Posted December 4, 2017

Stressed? Sure! We all are! Here is an article with some tips on how to manage that stress that we can never full escape. Thanks to the The Greater Kalamazoo’s Women’s Lifestyle Magazine for the publication in the September issue! Here is a link to the content.

Posted December 1, 2017

Due to illness, I will not be hosting the free meditation group at my office tomorrow. But, we should be back at normal starting in January. I hope to see you then.

Posted November 16, 2017

Thanks to News Channel 3/WWMT for the mention! Let’s keep using our voices (and bodies when we need to) to defend. And, look for some exciting opportunities to learn how to heal and defend. There are some important things in the works! So, stay tuned.

http://wwmt.com/…/local/a-fighting-chance-decision-to-defend

Posted November 10, 2017

ANNOUNCING A RELOCATION AND CHANGE IN CONTACT INFORMATION!

I am excited to announce that I am transitioning into solo practice under the name “Inner Peace Counseling, PLC” and will be working from a new location. This change will be official on Monday, November 27, 2017.

My new address, only 5 minutes away from my current location, is: 4155 S 9th Street, Suite D Kalamazoo, MI 49009. My updated solo practice phone number is 269-254-1211. My new secured fax number is 1-844-965-9223. While all other professional contact information will stay the same, I am also now fully-licensed as both a Clinical Social Worker and a Marriage and Family Therapist.

I will still be accepting Blue Cross, Blue Shield, MESSA, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance; self-pay or sliding-fee scale reimbursement, as well as being able to bill Out of Network for those with other insurance plans (e.g. McLaren Medicaid, United). Over time, I also will continue adding new insurances to the list of those that I can accept, including Blue Care Network. I encourage you to follow me on my professional Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ACarterYoungblood for continued updates, photos, and directions!

I am eager explore the level of intimate quality of care that being a solo practitioner allows. And, I look forward to continuing to grow with and for you in order to continue to serve you even better.

Please contact me with any questions or for more information. Thank you for your support. I can’t do what I do without wonderful people like you!

Posted November 1, 2017

Do you feel like or have you been told that you are your worst critic? The Natural Awakenings magazine, November 2017 edition, has some tips from yours truly. Learn how to quiet the bully in your head and start thinking positive today by checking out this article.

Posted August 29, 2017

ANNOUNCING AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT:

I am being featured as a Clinical Consultant to an ArtPrize 2017 project, “Healing through Body Art.” I am partnering with Kristen Adams, an amazing local professional face and body painter, who is doing live body paintings illustrating the resilience of those who have been through and are healing from trauma. Given that Grand Rapid’s ArtPrize is one of the biggest art competitions around, partnering with Kristen Adams is truly an honor! The live body paintings can be observed from September 20th through October 8th and yours truly will be on location on September 30th and 31st to offer support and resources to those who have questions or are looking to also recover from tragedy.

In her piece, Kristen is illustrating stories of recovery from anorexia, PTSD, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, living as a transgender person, and others. She is also looking to fill 4 more slots for volunteers who want to tell their stories through art: on October 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. Please contact her if you are interested in sharing your story. It is our hope that this project will raise awareness to taboo issues that are not usually talked about. Please call, text, or email Kristen at (269) 501-1451 or kfxbodyart@yahoo.com.

Stay tuned for a T.V. interview on this topic and other exciting updates!

Posted August 9, 2017

Are you starting to feel a bit down realizing that summer is almost over. The “Winter Blues” is a real thing and it’s treatable. Check out this article in the August 2017 edition of The Greater Kalamazoo’s Women’s Lifestyle Magazine to help guide you through the upcoming seasons. Here is a link to the content.

Posted July 28, 2017

Notice regarding the monthly free meditation group: Due to being out of town in August and October, the meditation groups will be held on the second (instead of the first) Saturday of those months. The location and times remain the same. So, I hope to see you on Saturday, August 12th and Saturday, October 14th. Stay mindful!

Published July 1, 2017

Thanks to Natural Awakening’s Magazine for publishing my article on how to deal with toxic people. Hopefully it helps to provide helpful tips on how to breathe a bit easier. You can find the content of this article here.

May 29, 2017

Starting today, you can find me at my new office location, 6963 West KL Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009. You can find more information here.

April 18, 2017

Due to my pending location to my shiny new office, May’s meditation group will be cancelled. Here is an updated flyer so that you can keep in touch. We should be back on schedule in June! Watch here or my Facebook page for more updates.

Published February 24, 2017

Thanks to Natural Awakening’s Magazine for publishing my article on how to live as an Empath successfully. I’m hoping it touches the lives of all those reading! You can find the content of this article here.

Published February 1, 2017

Interested in knowing more about the human-animal bond? Here’s an article from the Greater Kalamazoo Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine that tells you all about it. You can find the content in the February 2017 edition or here, on my blog. Enjoy!

Published December 27, 2016

Thanks to the amazing Natural Awakenings Magazine for publishing my article, “Quick Tips for Healthy Sleep” in your January 2017 edition. Click here to read the content of my article.

Published December 2, 2016

Thank you to The Greater Kalamazoo’s Women’s Lifestyle Magazine for spreading the word on how to cope with a non-traditional holiday season. Here is a link to the content.

Published November 22, 2016

Thanks, Natural Awakenings Magazine, for publishing my article in your December edition. Click here to read the content.

Announced October 26, 2016

Mindfulness and meditation are becoming popular concepts related to the way they can help us manage our stress and improve our mental health. Are you interested in learning how to meditate? Are you looking for a FREE meditation group, ways to improve your stress management, or simply for some quiet time? If so, come join me for a FREE monthly meditation group every first Saturday of the month from 10-11am at my office. Seating is limited, so please remember to RSVP. But, bring whomever you want. The more the merrier!

Those of any religion, or even those with no religion at all, are welcome to attend this casual, nondenominational group. Also, feel free to bring your friends, family, or acquaintances to the group to share the serenity. Even other professionals looking for some relaxation are welcome to attend. The hour timeframe will include introductions, a brief meditation instruction, time to meditate, and a portion for questions and answers. Please arrive on time in order to respect the silence once the time for meditation has started. And, while I honor your role as a parent, in order to keep the atmosphere as relaxing as possible, I ask that only those who are well-behaved and at least 13 years old attend.

You are welcome to bring your own meditation cushion or comfort device as needed in order to attend to any physical needs you may have. Otherwise, we will be practicing sitting on chairs.

Click to here to view or download the flyer. Feel free to share with or distribute it to whoever you want! This information is also available on my Facebook page.

Event on October 14, 2016

Thanks to Western Michigan University’s Teaching Assistants Union for hosting me for such an esteemed panel. It was a pleasure to talk about the important topic of stress management.

Published September 30, 2016

Thanks, Women’s Lifestyle Magazine, for publishing my article about “What Women Need to Know about Anxiety and Depression”, in your October 2016 edition! Find the content on the article here, on my blog.