Ali Ashby (my pronouns are she/her)

Having been in practice for well over 20 years, experience has shown me that clients seek counselling for many different reasons. There is no 'right way in' but rather, there are times when having someone independent and experienced with whom to explore life's challenges can make all the difference to being able to navigate them with more ease. My aim is to offer a safe, supportive and empathic space, where it is possible to be alongside whatever is troubling you – in body, feelings, mind or spirit – so that, together, we can explore what might help you find the way through. There is often a 'trigger' or some form of impetus that nudges us to seek therapeutic support and this might include: 

•  experiencing times of stress or overwhelm – which could be historical, current or about the future
• going through a transition or change – whether desired or not
• feeling 'stuck' in repeating 'old patterns' that might be getting in the way of moving forwards in life
• being challenged by historical experiences which have not been addressed and are impacting now
• seeking more meaning and purpose in life
• facing new beginnings or endings
• experiencing loss and/or grief
• facing ill health, terminal diagnosis or the end of life
• experiencing a 'dis-satisfaction' with how life is at the moment and wishing to address this
• desiring to inject more joy and satisfaction into life.  

In addition to Psychosynthesis therapeutic counselling, my background in nursing, practicing & teaching kinesiology, working with balancing subtle energy & body work and also facilitating groups, enables me to bring many years of varied experience to my work with individuals. Throughout my professional practice, I have had a particular interest in working deeply and over time with clients, including those who are living with a long-term health condition and/or facing a terminal diagnosis. I also offer more time-limited, or short-term therapy. In particular, I have recently spent 2 years with FORCE cancer charity, as one of their oncology support specialists, offering short-term counselling to people experiencing cancer in all stages of that journey, and their close family/carers. This was a profoundly humbling time in my professional life and I felt privileged to be able to support these clients in what many described as the most challenging and often frightening time of their life. I continue to specialise in supporting clients experiencing cancer. 

If you are considering counselling with me, I offer a free 30 minute initial conversation, either on the phone or on-line on Zoom. This provides an opportunity for us to meet and for you to say a little about what you are seeking, so that we can explore whether we both feel I would be the best person for you to work with. Please feel free to text or email me, so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time.