Ashley Kronen Marotta, PhD
This week (May 14th – 20th) is National Women’s Health Week! To help celebrate, I interviewed some of my favorite, most badass, brilliant, female minds in the health and wellness industry to feature. I met Ashley Kronen Marotta when she was just shy of 5 years old. As a child, I remember Ashley having a tremendous love for dance, a fierce competitive tennis player and always extremely well spoken. But like most college kids, her path changed. When I heard she was off to be a doctor, I thought, wow, this kid was going for the gold!
Ashley is a licensed clinical psychologist working in private practice in Huntington, New York. She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University in 2015. Outside of her psychology work, she has a beautiful family that includes her husband, Josh and an adorable, almost two-year-old son, Jacob. Staying active has always been important to her which is why she loves to dance and has a passion for theater!
Shannon: How did you get started in the industry?
Having actively been involved in my own therapy throughout my life, I’ve always had a strong interest in the field of psychology, specifically private practice. The human mind and the ways in which we as individuals think, feel and behave has always been fascinating to me and I knew from a young age this was the right path for me. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help individuals live their best lives.
How long have you been in the health line of work?
I’ve been practicing psychology since beginning my doctoral studies at Columbia University in 2010. At that time, I was working in the school’s community clinic, The Dean Hope Center for Educational and Psychological Services. I was a psychology extern at Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital and completed my doctoral internship at North Central Bronx Hospital. I’ve been in private practice for about three and a half years now.
What does it mean to be a woman in health and wellness?
It’s an incredible honor to be a woman in health and wellness. It means I have an incredible responsibility to be a role model and an inspiration to young girls and women everywhere. Us ladies need to stick together, build each other up, and prove we as women are strong, both physically and mentally and can do anything we put our minds to!
What about health is SEXY to you?
The better question is, what about health is NOT sexy? I mean there is nothing sexier than health! It’s so cliché, but if you don’t have your health, it’s hard to focus on anything else. Putting health first and trying to maintain and live a healthy lifestyle can really make such a difference in one’s quality of life. Needless to say, when one feels healthy, they will definitely feel sexy too!
How do you feel empowered in your line of work?
I feel empowered each and every time I sit down with my patients. My patients are putting their trust in me to be there for them, to listen, to empathize and to help them get through and overcome some of the most difficult times in their lives. If that’s not empowerment, I’m not sure what is!
