About me
I'm Dr Ashley Francis, a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years' experience helping adults overcome anxiety, depression, OCD, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and the lasting effects of difficult life experiences.
Many people come to therapy after years of trying to manage their symptoms without understanding why the same patterns keep returning. Rather than focusing solely on coping strategies, my aim is to help you understand and address the underlying emotional processes that maintain these difficulties, creating meaningful and lasting change.
I work using Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an evidence-based approach that helps people identify unconscious patterns, process difficult emotions safely, and overcome obstacles that have often persisted for many years. Although the name suggests "short-term", therapy is always tailored to your individual needs and progresses at a pace that feels manageable.
Before establishing my independent practice, I worked within the NHS across a range of specialist mental health services. Alongside my therapy work, I continue to practise as a Clinical Psychologist carrying out complex psychological assessments for the courts, where careful formulation, diagnostic thinking and clear communication are essential.
Therapy begins with a two-hour assessment. This provides an opportunity for us to develop a detailed understanding of your difficulties, explore how they developed, and consider whether my approach is likely to be the right fit for you. There is no obligation to continue beyond this assessment. If we decide to work together, sessions are held weekly online, allowing you to access therapy from anywhere in the UK.
My approach is best suited to people who are looking for more than symptom management. If you're curious about the deeper reasons behind your difficulties and are ready to engage in thoughtful, collaborative therapy, I'd be pleased to discuss whether working together could help.
Training, qualifications & experience
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- 2013-16 Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psy), University of Nottingham
- 2008-09 M.Sc. Investigative and Forensic Psychology, Distinction, University of Liverpool
- 2004-07 B.Sc. Psychology, 1st class honours, University of Liverpool
- SPECIALIST TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- 2016-19 2017-18 2018-20 2018-19 2021 Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy (Part 1,2 & 3)
- Experiential Dynamic Therapy, Core Training: Birmingham, UK
- Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Core Training: Boston, USA
- Bond Solon Civil Expert Witness Certificate (Civil Courts): Cardiff University, UK
- ADOS-2 and ADI-R Certificate, Hogrefe, UK
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£125.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Therapy begins with a comprehensive two-hour assessment, including a written formulation and recommendations, at a fee of £275. This allows us to gain a detailed understanding of your difficulties and decide whether my approach is the right fit for you, with no obligation to continue.
If we choose to work together, ongoing therapy sessions are £125 for 50 minutes and are usually held weekly online.
When I work
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