About Cedarhurst Psychological Services
Located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh near Mt. Lebanon, Cedarhurst Psychological Services is a private practice offering outpatient psychotherapy to adult individuals and couples.
There are times when we feel overwhelmed by sadness, worry, confusion, or anger. We may notice ourselves trapped in patterns of behavior that undermine our health, our relationships, and the ability to function at our best. At other moments, life just seems like it’s too much, with all its demands and stressors. Whatever brings you to therapy, Cedarhurst offers compassionate, evidence-based care within a safe, professional, and non-judgmental space.
Therapeutic issues and concerns
Mood Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
Bipolar Disorder
Stress & Trauma
PTSD
Childhood Trauma
Chronic stress
Adjustment Disorders
Relationships
Communication
Couples conflict
Infidelity & repair
Co-parenting issues
Life Transitions
College & career
Aging
Loss & bereavement
Divorce
In addition to treating the common mental health issues above, Dr. Bowie has three specific areas of focus:
Level 1 Adult Autism
Many autistic adults—particularly those with Level 1 presentations—face real and often invisible challenges: difficulty reading social cues, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning difficulties, and a chronic sense of not quite fitting in. Dr. Bowie works with autistic adults using an affirming, neurodiversity-informed approach that respects the whole person rather than treating autism as a problem to be fixed.
Men’s issues
Men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health support, often doing so only after years of chronic stress or after a relationship has broken down. Dr. Bowie works with men navigating masculine identity, relationships, fatherhood, career stress, loneliness, and questions of meaning and purpose. Therapy is direct, practical, and free of judgment—a space where men can speak honestly and openly.
Caregivers of children with special needs
Parenting a child with a disability, developmental difference, or complex medical need is one of the most emotionally demanding experiences a person can face. The emotional needs of the caregiver are frequently overlooked—by the systems they navigate and by themselves. Dr. Bowie provides a space for caregiving parents to process the full complexity of their experience, including grief, guilt, exhaustion, and meaning, without judgment.
Seniors
The later chapters of life bring their own distinct challenges—retirement, shifting identity, loss, changes in health, and an evolving sense of who you are and what your life means. Dr. Bowie works with seniors navigating these transitions, with particular attention to grief, loneliness, and the search for meaning and purpose in later life.
Meet Dr. Ash Bowie, PsyD
Hello! I am a clinical psychologist licensed in Pennsylvania. Since 2003, I have been dedicated to helping people live happier, more empowered lives with a sense of personal worth, purpose, and fulfillment.
Many people come to therapy because they are hurting and want relief—and that matters deeply to me. But therapy can also be something more: an opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and becoming more present and authentic in your everyday life. Whatever brings you here, I consider it a privilege to work alongside you.
I am an active, engaged therapist. I know when to listen and when to push—when to sit with you in something difficult and when to help you explore the patterns that are keeping you stuck. But effective therapy isn’t just about applying fancy clinical techniques or providing psychology lectures—it has to be rooted in a safe and collaborative connection between therapist and patient. In me you will find someone who takes your experience seriously, respects your values and goals, meets vulnerability with empathy, and is not above finding humor in the human condition.
Professionally, I have extensive experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy across a wide range of concerns. For many years, I worked with children and teens struggling with profound trauma, mostly in school and residential settings. I have also had the privilege to work with couples, college students, adults with traumatic brain injuries, people on the autism spectrum, and seniors coping with challenges related to health and loss. A common theme in my current work has centered on life transitions, aging, evolving questions of purpose and meaning, and rediscovering a sense of joy and vibrancy.
In addition to my clinical work, I also have a passion for teaching, supervision, and mentorship. During the decade prior to founding Cedarhurst, I developed a graduate training program, managed two clinical programs—one at a school for severely disturbed children and the other at a crisis residential program for autistic teens—and most recently took on the role of Clinic Director at a large group practice of over forty therapists and medication providers.
I founded Cedarhurst to bring these experiences together in one place and to practice in a way that reflects my values as a clinician. I strive to offer a thoughtful, collaborative therapeutic relationship—one that balances rigor with compassion and provides a reliable, supportive space for meaningful change.
Therapeutic Approaches
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every client brings their own unique personality, strengths, circumstances, and clinical goals—and so effective therapy must be tailored to the individual. At the same time, all work at Cedarhurst is grounded in respect, acceptance, and informed clinical judgment. The aim of therapy is to help you better understand your concerns, recognize patterns that may no longer be serving you, and develop greater resilience, psychological flexibility, and clarity about the life you want to live.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Emphasizes mindfulness skills to increase awareness of the present moment, along with identifying personal values that guide meaningful and purposeful action. The goal is to build psychological flexibility so you can respond more effectively to life’s challenges while living in a way that reflects what matters most to you.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
An approach designed to address the effects of trauma. It helps individuals process traumatic experiences, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and develop healthier coping strategies and a stronger sense of safety and self-trust.
Psychodynamic Therapy. Explores how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and relational dynamics influence present-day thoughts, emotions, and behavior. This approach emphasizes insight, emotional understanding, and lasting change through increased self-awareness.
Existential Therapy. Addresses questions of meaning, identity, responsibility, and choice. It is particularly helpful for individuals navigating life transitions, aging, loss, or concerns about purpose and direction.
Couples: Gottman Approach. A research-based model that focuses on strengthening communication, managing conflict, and deepening emotional connection. Therapy emphasizes practical skills that help couples build stability, trust, and mutual understanding.
Couples: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Focuses on emotional bonds and attachment patterns within relationships. The goal is to help partners recognize negative interaction cycles and create more secure, responsive, and emotionally connected relationships.
Statement on Inclusivity
Cedarhurst Psychological Services is dedicated to offering psychological care to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Services are provided without regard to racial or cultural background, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religious tradition—or lack thereof—and political or personal beliefs.
Therapy at Cedarhurst is grounded in dignity, curiosity, and respect rather than assumptions or agendas. The goal is not to persuade or correct, but to understand each client’s lived experience and to support psychological growth in a way that is consistent with their values, identity, and autonomy.