Ashley Phelps

About Ashley Phelps

Ashley Phelps, PhD, CCHP is a behavioral health executive with over 20 years of experience leading and developing mental health programs across correctional and forensic systems, including prisons, jails, and state hospitals.She currently serves as Vice President of Behavioral Health Programs at YesCare, where she oversees the design, implementation, and performance of behavioral health services across a national network. Her work focuses on building scalable, high-quality programs that improve clinical outcomes while aligning with operational and regulatory demands.Dr. Phelps brings deep expertise in competency restoration, behavioral health unit development, suicide prevention, and multidisciplinary team integration. She has led the development of specialized programs, advised executive leadership, and partnered closely with courts and correctional systems to implement effective, sustainable solutions.In addition to her executive role, she is the owner of APex Consulting & Psychological Services, providing forensic evaluations and consultation services, including court-ordered assessments. She has conducted hundreds of competency evaluations and provided expert testimony.Dr. Phelps contributed to the Suicide Prevention Resource Guide through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and has extensive experience training clinical and custody staff in correctional behavioral health practices.

Experience

1. Vice President, Behavioral Health Programs

   Yescare

   Aug 2022 — Present · US

   Provide executive oversight of behavioral health programs across a national correctional healthcare network, supporting prisons, jails, and specialty populationsLead the design, implementation, and expansion of behavioral health units (BHUs) and competency restoration programs within secure settingsDrive clinical quality, program performance, and compliance with NCCHC and other regulatory standardsPartner with executive leadership, correctional agencies, and judicial stakeholders to develop scalable, system-wide behavioral health solutionsOversee multidisciplinary teams and align clinical services with custody operationsDevelop and implement policies, workflows, and program models that improve access to care, patient outcomes, and system efficiencyLead implementation of a 15-bed jail-based competency restoration program, improving access and reducing system delaysSupport programs serving high-acuity SMI populations within correctional settingsDrive improvements in clinical outcomes, program engagement, and operational efficiency across multiple sites

Education

• Capella University

  PhD, Clinical Psychology

  2001 — 2006

• Wichita State University

  MA, Criminal Justice and Corrections

  1997 — 1999

• Kansas State University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology

  1993 — 1997