Ashley Hughes, PMHNP-FNP
Phone 704-610-6434
Clinical Experience and Approach
I am a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 18 years of experience in healthcare. My clinical background includes extensive work in intensive care, outpatient internal medicine, and providing ongoing medical and psychiatric care for residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. This breadth of experience allows me to approach mental health through a comprehensive, medically informed lens.
​
I have worked with from diverse backgrounds and life circumstances, bringing a thoughtful, empathetic, and collaborative approach to every patient relationship. I have a particular interest and experience in women’s mental health, and I treat a wide range of psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, mood disorders, and related concerns.
​
I believe effective psychiatric care is built on partnership. I work closely with my patients to create a safe, supportive space where we can explore symptoms, personal values, and treatment goals together. I also highly value collaboration with other providers my patients may already be seeing—such as primary care clinicians, therapists, and specialists—to ensure care is well-coordinated, integrative, and individualized.
My Path Into Psychiatry
"I believe psychiatric care works best when its collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in evidence and empathy."
My path into psychiatry was shaped by years of caring for patients across a wide range of medical settings. Early in my career, working in the intensive care unit, I saw firsthand how closely mental and physical health are intertwined—especially during moments of crisis, transition, and uncertainty. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening carefully, slowing down, and treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms.​ As I moved into outpatient internal medicine and later worked with residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities,
I continued to see how untreated or under-supported mental health concerns could significantly impact quality of life, medical outcomes, and family dynamics. These experiences ultimately led me to pursue advanced training in psychiatric mental health, allowing me to provide more comprehensive, continuous care to my patients. Today, my approach to psychiatry is rooted in collaboration, clarity, and compassion. I believe meaningful progress happens when patients feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their care. I work closely with each individual to understand their unique goals, values, and life circumstances, and I place a strong emphasis on coordinating care with other providers whenever possible.
​
​
​
​Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting, baking sourdough, and gardening. These creative and grounding activities reinforce the same principles I encourage in my patients—balance, routine, and intentional self-care. I bring that same thoughtful, steady presence into my clinical work, creating a space where patients feel supported as they navigate their mental health journey.
Life Beyond Psychiatry
