The Story of Barbara R. Lovelady
My "best" successes came from people who finally gave up what wasn't working for them anymore and come in with an open mind. This worked with issues of anxiety and depression, habits that people don't want to continue doing, relationships that feel broken, and coping mechanisms that used to work and now just create more problems. I thoroughly enjoy working with people who are ready to get their lives back on track.
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I have a personal and family history that have made my sensitive to traumas and poor decision making. I really hate the expression, "If I can do it, anyone can!" And yet, it's so true. Fortunately, it's much easier to see things clearly when it's happening to others and not ourselves, so ... experience + objectivity = success
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I started out working with "victims" who I thought needed saving. Over the years, I started to see how we "helpers" were creating victims out of people instead of allowing them to learn new skills, gain clarity, and understand how amazing they actually are. I get thrilled when I watch people surpass their own expectations.
Barbara Lovelady, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, founder of Blue Rose Counseling
Ivy Williams, Human Resources Director
Our Human Resources Director, Ivy Williams, became interested in social work while in the fourth grade during a visit to her mom who was in the hospital. While Ivy and her dad were waiting in the lobby Ivy was approached by a nun who was a medical social worker and as they talked about what the nun did for a living, Ivy became hooked. Ivy got the start of her dream career in 1978 as the Social Work Director at a nursing home in Miami, Florida.
During her career, Ivy held a variety of positions for the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families in the 23 years that she worked for them. The positions working in foster care; at Youth Hall (YH) where she decided whether adolescents were to be detained, handling calls or drop ins relating to neglect, physical or sexual abuse or abandonment of children eighteen and younger; working with the State and Local Ombudsman Council which was an advocacy group monitoring adult living facilities and nursing homes.
I vy says that she was fortunate to spend eighteen of those years at the only urban maximum security forensic hospital in the state which became the first State-owned hospital to receive National accreditation which was through the Joint Commission. Ivy started there as the Director of Social Work, became the hospital’s EEO Coordinator and spent the last nine years there as the Assistant Hospital Administrator for Operations or the COO. Ivy established and has maintained very close friendships with many of her coworkers there, many of whom are closer to her and her daughter than family.
Ivy moved to North Carolina nineteen years ago and has worked in community mental health in Durham, Orange, Person and Chatham as Program Director for a child case management program or as the Human Resources Director at two agencies.
Her goals include becoming fluent in Spanish and obtaining a Masters in Divinity. When Ivy isn’t working, she enjoys reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles, spending playing way too many hours playing games on her cell phone and being with her two grandsons.
Cassaundra Martinez
Cassaundra got started in her career in 2019, inspired by wanting to give back to the community and bridge gaps, as well as making necessary services more accessible to the Spanish Speaking community. She graduated with her BSW in 2018 and MSW in 2019 through an accelerated program at NC State. She has worked in many roles within a nonprofit after graduating which included Gang Outreach, Crisis and Homelessness Services Clinician, and Juvenile Assessment Team Clinical Assessor. Cassaundra is most proud of being the first generation in her family to graduate high school, as well as getting her Master’s degree and LCSWA. She strives to go to Law School and work in restorative justice. When she is not working, Cassaundra likes weight training, spending time with her two dogs and cat, playing soccer, and taking walks at local parks and lakes.
Ashley Dunn, LCMHCA, LCASA
A passion for social justice and witnessing recidivism rates lead Ashley to her career in 2007. She has served children, adolescents, adults and families through roles of case manager, domestic violence/sexual abuse advocate, suicide hotline counselor, Medicaid/Disability counselor, Multisystemic Family Therapist, MST Clinical Supervisor, Regional Director, Employee Assistance Program Counselor, and Guardian ad Litem Program Supervisor. Throughout these roles and positions, Ashley is most proud of her ability to keep going. She prides herself on serving and encouraging others as well and helping them see hope. In other words, she is proud to be a part of helping people unlock their power! When Ashley isn’t working, you can find her travelling, doing interior design, at live comedy shows, reading, writing, doing Zumba, and watching true crime and court shows.
Aurelijus "Oz" Zibutis, LCSWA
Aurelijus “Oz” got started with his career in 2007 and has been working in social work since he was 20 years old. He considers it a privilege to work in this field and strives to have his own private practice at some point in the future. His desire to help others and assist people with the challenges of daily living is what got Oz interested in counseling. His goals include keeping his family relationships above all else and to enhance community members’ well-beings. When Oz isn’t working you can find him playing different sports (Basketball being his favorite) and spending time with his dog and guinea pig!
Elizabeth Wolff-Francis, LCSW
I have been a therapist since 2000 and have had my independent social work license since 2005. I decided to get a Masters in Social Work and become a therapist because I realized that it can be challenging to see how to be as strong as we can be in ourselves without the support of another person. This might be because of difficulties life has dealt us, trauma we’ve experienced, fears we have, etc. I think exploring how to work through these to be able to move forward happens well in a therapeutic relationship.
I can help you gain clarity and find new ways to move through old challenges. Together, we will work toward deepening your connection to your core self and engaging more fully in the life you want. I provide an affirming and supportive space to process family of origin issues, grief, loss, trauma, relationship struggles, and feelings of worry or anxiety.
Originally trained in Freudian theory, I have studied Eco-therapy, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Couples Therapy, Feminist
theory, and Mindfulness. I am fluent in both Spanish and English. My approach to therapy is
strengths-based with a trauma-informed style.
I welcome the inclusion of individual interests and experiences and support the development of a strong therapeutic relationship. I believe in the importance of a client-centered, collaborative approach to clinical work, considering the whole person and honoring individual differences and cultural contexts. I strive to support growth, self-understanding, and adaptive skill-building in an open and nonjudgmental space.
(She/her)
Need to reach out to me? Please feel free to reach me here!