We are Respire
Ashley and Emily are Licensed Professional Counselor Associates and former dance educators with a deep passion for integrating dance and mental health. Drawing from their backgrounds, they specialize in raising awareness about mental health within the dance community to help dancers process emotions, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Together, Ashley and Emily create a supportive and empowering environment that fosters personal growth, resilience, and emotional transformation.
Ashley Hardy
MA, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Rhonda Johnson, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Ashley Hardy is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who blends a decade of experience in dance education with clinical mental health training to offer a unique, individualized and holistic approach to care. With a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and licensure in the state of Texas, Ashley works with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and performance-related stress—particularly within the dance and athletic communities. She currently practices at Riverstone Counseling Center and Center for Counseling and Family Relationships in Fort Worth, Texas.
Before stepping into the counseling field, Ashley built a rewarding career as a dance educator, choreographer, and studio manager. A former Kilgore College Rangerette and certified Texas Educator, she spent over ten years working closely with dancers, performers, and students—helping them build confidence, discipline, and self-expression through movement. During her time at PAIYH Dance Studios and Vandegrift High School, Ashley played a key role in programs that combined artistic excellence with student mentorship—demonstrating her ability to foster growth, connection, and emotional resilience in young performers.That experience shaped her deep understanding of the emotional and physical pressures that performers face and continues to inform her work with clients today.
Ashley utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), Sandtray Therapy, and Mindfulness-based techniques in her work with clients. Her approach is trauma-informed and collaborative, grounded in empathy and respect for each person’s unique story. She is especially passionate about supporting dancers, creatives, and high-achieving individuals in managing stress, preventing burnout, and building healthy, balanced lives.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys staying active, connecting with her local community, and spending time with her friends and family in Fort Worth, TX.
Emily Diehl
MA, LPC-Associate, NCC
Supervised by Whitney Russell, MS, LPC-S, CEDS-C, EMDR Trained
Emily Diehl is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. Emily also attended Kilgore College and is a former Captain of the Kilgore College Rangerettes.
Before entering the counseling profession, Emily danced professionally with Larwell Productions, Mary Kay Inc., and The State Fair of Texas. Throughout her years of training and performing, she became increasingly aware of the mental health challenges that dancers often face, as well as a noticeable gap in emotional support and resources within the performing arts industry. Drawing from her unique background in dance and expertise in clinical mental health, Emily brings a compassionate understanding of the physical, mental, and emotional demands that performing artists navigate. Today, she is driven by a passion to support the mental well-being of performers and athletes, empowering individuals to prioritize their mental health, challenge stigma, and cultivate resilience both on and off the stage.
Emily's clinical experience spans various levels of care, including partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient services. She currently practices at Brave Haven Counseling in Richardson, where she specializes in anxiety, perfectionism, eating disorders, life transitions, and sports-related trauma. Emily also serves as a Primary Therapist at BasePoint in Frisco, where she works with young adults in the Breakthrough PHP/IOP programs. In this role, she collaborates with an interdisciplinary team focused on crisis management, suicide prevention, stabilization, and relapse prevention.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with friends, visiting local coffee shops, and tapping into her creative side through embroidery and watercolor painting.
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