Ashley J. Britton, PhD

Licensure and Credentials

Licensed Psychologist & Health Services Provider, NC #5551. June 2019 — Present
National Register of Health Service Psychologists, #142830. Feb 2021 — Present

Education and Advanced Training

Clinical Psychology/ Behavioral Medicine Postdoctoral Fellowship

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC

Aug 2017 — Aug 2018

Transplant, Bariatric & SCS Pre-Surgical Evaluations; Consultation-Liaison psychiatry; Psycho-oncology Clinic; Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic.

PhD

University of Georgia, Counseling Psychology

Aug 2012 — Aug 2017

Health Psychology Concentration, Preparing Future Faculty track

Clinical Health Psychology Residency

Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI

June 2016 — June 2017

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Outpatient Mental Health, Transplant Psychology; Minor rotation: Internal Medicine/Primary Care

MSEd

University of Miami, Mental Health Counseling

Aug 2010 — Aug 2012

BA

University of Kentucky, Psychology (Spanish minor)

Aug 2005 — Dec 2008

University Honors Program, completed in Good Standing

Professional Certifications

Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)

PESI, Inc. & Evergreen Certifications, Live 2-day Webinar, Feb 16-17, 2023
Description: Integrate CBT & Exposure & Response Prevention for the Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, & Phobias. Earned 12.5 CE hours.

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

PESI, Inc. & Evergreen Certifications, Live 2-day Webinar, Apr 27-28, 2023
The Latest Advances and Proven Techniques to Resolve Deeply Held Trauma.

Dual Certification in DBT & Personality Disorders (C-DBT & C-PD)

PESI, Inc. & Evergreen Certifications, Online Home Study – In Progress
Master therapy training in skills, techniques, and evidenced-based DBT to treat borderline, narcissistic, anti-social, and all other personality disorders.

Academic Appointments And Professional Experiences

East Carolina University (ECU) Health Physicians

Greenville, NC

BSOM, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine

Clinical Associate Professor, Mar 2025 — Present

Advancement in title approved March 2025, effective July 1, 2025

Clinical Assistant Professor, July 2019 — Mar 2025

Positive Outcomes Psychological Services

Athens, GA Sept 2018 — Mar 2019

Postdoctoral Assessment Fellow

• Conducted psychological testing and psychoeducational (LD/ADHD) evaluations across the lifespan.
• Completed evaluations for two psychology group practice providers.

Positive Outcomes Psychological Services

Athens, GA May 2014 — June 2016

Predoctoral Assessment Intern

Conducted psychological evaluations for SSI disability applicants and psychoeducational (LD/ADHD) evaluations for children and adolescents.

Teaching Experience

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

July 2019 — Present

Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine

• R3 psychiatry resident advisor / mentor and clinical therapy supervisor.
• R3 Psychotherapy Case Conference (group supervision) co-facilitator
• Psychotherapy Didactic series for psychiatry residents:
  • R1: Introduction to Supportive Therapy & Crisis Management,
  • R2: Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
  • R3: Advanced Psychotherapy Approaches
• BSOM M1 & M2 Basic Psychiatry Clinical Small Group Leader (2019-2024)
• BSOM M1 Lecturer:
  • School Age Development (2019-2023),
  • Cognitive & Emotional Behavior (2022-2023),
  • Motivating Health Behavior/Health Promotion (2022-Present)
• BSOM M2 Lecturer: The Psychiatric Evaluation & Mental Status Exam (MSE) flipped classroom (2021-Present)

Clinical Training Liaison, Psychiatry Department’s Health Psychology Service

Spring 2022 – Present

Program Director, Clinical Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

Fall 2024 – Present

University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Aug 2012 — May 2014

Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Counseling & Human Development Services

Instructor: Academic & Career Planning (ECHD 2050)

Aug 2012 – May 2013

• A lower-level undergraduate course averaging 20 students per semester (Avg Course Instruction Rating: 3.9/5)
• Revised the syllabus & curriculum to meet accreditation standards. Created and graded quizzes, exams, and homework. Coordinated guest speakers. Submitted final grades.

Instructor: Helping Strategies: Intro to Counseling (ECHD 3020)

Aug 2013 – May 2014

• An upper-level undergraduate course averaging 20 students per semester (Avg Course Instruction Rating: 4.1/5)
• Revised the syllabus & curriculum to meet accreditation standards. Created and graded quizzes, exams, and homework. Coordinated guest speakers. Submitted final grades.

Honors and Awards

National Register of Health Service Psychologists Scholarship

2021

Early Career Psychologist credentialing scholarship for HSP national registry certification.

George & Barbara Gazda Counseling Psychology Scholarship

2017

Counseling Psychology graduate student award for distinction in research, practice, or service.

Arthur M. Horne Graduate Research Award

2016

Counseling Psychology graduate award for exceptional distinction in research, practice, professional service, and teaching.

William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship

2005 — 2009

Competitive, full academic scholarship based upon a student’s contribution to diversity, test scores, grades, essay, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, and community service at the University of Kentucky.

Publications and Scholarly Work

Abstract Reviewer

Abstract submission reviewer for the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA). October 2024 — Present

Abstract submission reviewer for the annual meeting of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP). April 2022 — Present

Book Chapter

Britton, A. (2020). Managing Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification in Counseling Settings. In D.A. Kleiber & E. Delgado-Romero (Eds.), Social Psychology and Counseling: Issues and Applications (pp. 89–102). Hauppenaug, NY: Nova Science.

Journal Publications

Heckman, B., & Britton, A. (2015). Headache in African Americans: An Overlooked Disparity. Journal of the National Medical Association, 107(2), 39–45. PMID: 27269489.

Journal Submissions in Preparation

Britton, A. & Shonrock, A. (revise & resubmit) A Review of Alternative Metrics of Obesity: Psychosocial Considerations to Reduce Weight Bias in Medicine and Bariatric WLS candidates. [Manuscript submitted to Obesity Reviews]. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, East Carolina University.

Dissertation

Britton, A.J., & Davantes-Heckman, B. (2017). A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Depression Intervention in Persons with Co-Occurring Chronic Migraines: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Efficacy Trial. University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Unpublished Manuscripts

Britton, A. & Tyler, S. (2021) Case Report: Clonidine Patch for Trauma-Related Nightmares in the NPO Adult Patient. Unpublished case report, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Britton, A., Davantes-Heckman, B., & Matero, L. (2018). A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Depression Intervention in Persons with Co-Occurring Chronic Migraines: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Efficacy Trial. Unpublished manuscript, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Britton, A., Davantes-Heckman, B., & Bigham, L. (2015). The psychosocial impact of headache disability and psychiatric comorbidity in a non-clinical student sample. Unpublished manuscript, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Hubbard, A., Davantes-Heckman, B., Britton, A., Scott, C. & Blizzard, J. (2015). Imposter phenomenon in college students. Unpublished manuscript, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Selected Conference and Professional Development Presentations

Britton, A. The Psychological Edge: Optimizing Integrated Care and Patient Outcomes. Workshop presentation at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association for Medicine and Psychiatry, Milwaukee, WI, October 4, 2024.

Britton, A. Health Psychology 101: Optimizing Patient Care in Academic Medical Settings. Live presentation for the Association for Medicine and Psychiatry webinar series, January 19, 2023.

Britton, A. Behavioral Medicine in Academic Health Centers: Optimizing Complex Patient Care. ECU Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Department Grand Rounds Presentation for E-AHEC, November 17, 2022.

Britton, A. Compassion Fatigue Resilience. Presentation at East Carolina University (ECU) Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Faculty Development Series, May 12, 2022.

Corral, I., Cunningham, K., Kyle, B, & Britton, A. Coping through the COVID-19 Pandemic Diverse Experiences: A Virtual Roundtable Discussion. East Carolina University (ECU) Laupus Library Diversity Committee Virtual Roundtable Discussion, March 2021.

Britton, A. Managing Countertransference with Patients with a Personality Disorder. Presentation at East Carolina University (ECU) Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Faculty Development Series, March 2021.

Britton, A. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Classification, Diagnosis and Treatment. Interdisciplinary Behavioral Medicine Seminar Presentation at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Department of Psychiatry, Bio-Behavioral Medicine Division, March 2018.

Britton, A. Chronic Opioid Treatment in Liver Transplant Patients: Considerations for Post-transplant Chronic Pain Management. Clinical Health Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship Multidisciplinary Case Conference Case Presentation at Henry Ford Health System, June 2017.

Britton, A. Considerations & Difficulties of Treating Mandated Domestic Violence Patients in Outpatient Therapy Settings. Case Presentation at Henry Ford Health System Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship Multidisciplinary Case Conference, March 2017.

Britton, A. Conversion Disorder/Functional Neurological Disorders and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. Case Presentation at Henry Ford Health System Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship Multidisciplinary Case Conference, October 2016.

Britton, A., Grimes, T., Weaver, J.N., Blizzard, J. & Heckman, B. Examination of the Psychosocial Impact of Headache Disability and Psychiatric Comorbidity in a College Sample. Poster Presentation at the 2014 Society of Counseling Psychology (APA Division 17) Student Poster Session of the American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, DC, August 2014.

Britton, A., Grimes, T., Weaver, J.N., Blizzard, J. & Heckman, B. Examination of the Psychosocial Impact of Headache Disability and Psychiatric Comorbidity in a College Sample. Poster Presentation at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Psychological Association, Athens, GA, May 2014.

Britton, A., Grimes, T., Weaver, J.N., & Heckman, B. Health Disparities: Headache, HIV/AIDS, and Childhood Obesity. Symposium presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Nashville, TN, March 2014.

Khorana, N., Hubbard, A., Fatemi, A., Britton, A., Grimes, T., Blizzard, J., Weaver, J.N. & Heckman, B. The Efficacy of Tele-Psychotherapy: Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults Living with HIV/AIDS. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the APA Division 17 Counseling Psychology Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2014.

Heckman, B., Hubbard, A., Britton, A., Weaver, J.N., Grimes, T., Blizzard, J., & Khorana, N. Complementary Alternative Medicines, Chronic Pain, and HIV: An Introduction. Community Presentation at the 2013 AIDS Athens Fall Thrive Event, October 2013.

Conner, A., Khorana, N., Scott, C., Britton, A., & Stewart, A. Weather-Related Stress and Anxiety in a National Sample of Adults. Poster presentation at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2013.

Media Projects

Interview, “Battling New Years’ Depression a Real Challenge for Some,” WNCT-9, aired Jan 1, 2025.

Interview, “Seasonal Woes Impacting People of All Ages as Holidays Near,” WNCT-9, aired Nov 24, 2024.

Interview, “Psychological Reasons Why Some Fall Off Their New Year’s Resolutions,” WNCT-9, Jan 24, 2024.

Interview, “ECU Health Expert Has Tips to Curb Your Post-Holiday Blues,” WNCT-9, Jan 2, 2024.

Interview, “Helping Seniors Manage Holiday Blues,” WITN, Dec 8, 2023.

Interview, “Sober Curious Trend Aims to Help with Underage Drinking, Healthier Lifestyles,” WNCT-9, Jan 31, 2023.

Interview, “Holiday Stress and How to Manage It,” WNCT-9, Dec 23, 2022

Interview, “2022 Guide to Surviving a Trip Home for the Holidays,” WITN, Dec 21, 2022

Interview, “Managing Holiday Stress,” Mark Woodson Radio Show, Dec 14, 2022

Interview, “ECU Health Experts Warn About ‘Impact of Holiday Blues’,” WNCT-9, Nov 30, 2022.

Interview, “Highlighting Your Health: Resiliency Focus for Your 2022 Mental Health Goals,” ECU Health News, Feb 18, 2022.

Interview, “Highlighting Your Health: Coping Tips & Resources for Holiday Depression,” The Daily Reflector, Dec 22, 2021.

Interview, “Healthy Habits: Coping with Depression Ahead of the Holidays,” WITN News at Sunrise, aired Dec 21, 2021.

Interview, “How to Beat the Holiday Blues During the COVID-19 Pandemic” for WITN News at Sunrise, aired Dec 22, 2020.

Interview, “Managing Seasonal Depression,” WCTI-12, Nov 18, 2020.

Interview, “Ten for 20: Minding Mental Health,” Greenville: Life in the East, Dec 18, 2019.

Interview, “Holiday Stress & New Year’s Resolutions,” The Daily Reflector, Dec 18, 2019.

Interview, “Holiday Stress & Anxiety,” Talk of the Town Podcast, Dec 9, 2019.

Interview, “Holiday Stress: ECU Experts Weigh in on Seasonal Stresses, Anxiety,” ECU News Services, printed Nov 21, 2019.

Professional Affiliations

Association of Medicine and Psychiatry (AMP), 2023 – Present

Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC), 2022 – Present

Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP), 2020 – Present

NC Eastern Area Health Education Center (Eastern AHEC), 2019 – Present

NC E-AHEC Mental Health Representative, 2022 – Present

American Psychological Association (APA), 2012 – Present

APA Division 38: Society for Health Psychology

Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), 2014 – 2024

Professional and Institutional Service

SEPA — Annual Meeting Peer-Reviewer

Reviewed abstract submissions for the 2025 annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA)

ACLP — Annual Meeting Peer-Reviewer

Reviewed abstract submissions for the 2022 & 2023 annual meetings of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP)

ECU Health — Brody School of Medicine Committees

Continuing Medical Education Advisory Committee, Fall 2022 – Present

ECU Health — Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Department Committees

• ECU Psychiatry Liaison to Bariatric Surgery Program, Summer 2023 – Present
• Faculty Search Committee, Spring 2022 – Present
• Grand Rounds Committee, Summer 2022 – Present
• ECU Psychiatry Liaison, E-AHEC Mental Health Rep, Summer 2022 – Present
• Psychiatry Program Evaluation Committee (PEC), Fall 2021 – Present
• Psychiatry Residency Education Committee (REC), Summer 2020 – Present
• Psychiatry Clinical Competency Committee (CCC), Summer 2019 – Present
• Psychiatry Program Interviewer/Selection Committee, Fall 2019 – Present

Other Professional Development

Office of Faculty Administration and Leadership Development

Mentor Application Program, 2022 – 2023 Mentee Cohort