Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr, NCPsyA, SCP, CGP

Psychoanalyst, Consultant, and Life Coach in New Jersey

The Reverend Dr. Willard Walden Christopher Ashley, Sr. is the President and CEO of Dr. Willard Ashley Sr., LLC. Through his LLC, Dr. Ashley is in demand as a keynote speaker, preacher, consultant, educator, psychoanalyst, marriage and family therapist, and group therapist.

Dr. Ashley is the second African American in the long history of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary to be granted tenure. He made history as the first African American Dean of the Seminary. Dr. Ashley is an Advisory Board Member of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School. Ashley teaches Doctor of Social Work students at Rutgers University and New York University (NYU).

Since 1996, he has been the founder and senior pastor of the Abundant Joy Community Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. His pastoral journey began in 1982, and he has since served as senior pastor at four American Baptist churches.

Dr. Ashley has authored four articles in The Men of Color Study Bible, published four books, and contributed to numerous articles and chapters. His reach extends to the media, having hosted a Black Entertainment Television (BET) program and appeared on radio in New York City.

Rev. Ashley was a staff psychotherapist at The Riverside Church in New York City. He is a fellow in The American Association of Marriage Family Therapists. Ashley also holds memberships in Black Psychoanalysts Speak, the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis.

Dr. Ashley has received numerous awards. He is in Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. He is the proud father of an adult son, Chris, and is married to Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley, MD, FAAP, MPH. Dr. Ashley and his wife, Tanya, are emotional support humans to Serafina, their 13-pound Shih Tzu.

  • Work
    • Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr. LLC
  • Education
    • Montclair State University
    • Fashion Institute of Technology
    • Andover Newton Theological School
    • Blanton Peale Graduate Institute
Testimonials
Dr. Ashley did ground-breaking work helping clergy recognize and address their own emotional trauma and distress as first responders after 9/11.His interfaith program ' Care for the Caregivers' has become a model, and Will an expert, in how to shape religious communities' role in disaster relief around the world.
Carol Kellerman, September 11th Fund, NY Community Trust
I have abundant confidence in the work of Willard Ashley. We talk often about his work in Marriage and Family Therapy, and sometimes also about his executive coaching so I feel well versed in his capacities. I'd readily make referrals to Willard for people needing his guidance in either field.
Anne F. Ziff, Assistant Clinical Professor, Psychiatry • Icahn School
Reverend Dr. Willard Ashley is a gifted mental health professional, faith leader, educator, author, and disaster mental health expert. His humility combined with his unique blend of areas of expertise make him an ideal provider of counseling, coaching, and psychotherapy services to people of all walks of life including, but not limited to people who are coping with trauma, seeking mental health care and spiritual nurturing, hoping to improve their relationships, and their leadership skills.
Annelle Primm, MD (convener), All Healers Mental Health Alliance (AHMHA)