Joanna Ash

I currently have the following availability:

Fortnightly Monday Session @11am (in person or online)

Weekly Monday Session @16.30pm (in person or online)

Weekly Wednesday Session @ 16.00pm (in Person)

Weekly Wednesday Session @17.00pm (in person)

Clients often wonder if their issues are sufficient enough to seek therapy for. I always stand by that if something is bothering you then it is important enough to attend to - that alone is a good starting point. People seek out therapy for very different reasons. Some may want a greater sense of personal power in their day to day lives. Some to feel more connected to themselves and improve their relationships, whilst others may want to begin to start the recovery process of a past or ongoing trauma.

Primarily I see the therapeutic space as an alternative to what we may usually encounter in relationships in the wider world. It is an opportunity to seek authentic connection and honest conversation, with a dedicated listener, and to be held with compassion and curiosity. The space is for you, the client, to bring whatever troubles you, but also a space to learn about what also inspires and excites you. Your whole self is very welcome, in all its parts. Sometimes the process may be about reclaiming lost and buried parts of yourself, and sometimes it is building a new narrative, or bringing to life an unrealised part you have not known fully before. Therefore I often see therapy as the process of unlearning, unhelpful narrative, beliefs and voices, that we may have internalised that no longer serve us, and finding ways to bring to the surface new narratives and beliefs.

Within the therapy sessions I like to pay attention to and be curious about the relationship that develops between myself and you the client. It is through the process of building a meaningful therapeutic relationship that I believe personal insight to your issues and a deeper engagement with yourself can be reached. As we are social beings; hardwired for connection, when we go through turmoil and periods of distress being able to explore this within a supportive and nurturing relationship can be really helpful. 

I can offer both in person sessions and online sessions via zoom if more convinient or preferred. Sessions tend to be held on a weekly basis at the same time and day and I am able to offer fortnightly sessions too, when agreed that this rhythm can work well. Sessions are held for 50 minutes.

I trained as an integrative arts psychotherapist so there is opportunity for those who would like, to use art and creativity within the sessions. This may include sandtray work, painting, drawing, using postcards and bodywork or using metaphor or images real or imagined. My work as a therapist is informed by many different approaches/theories which enables a more tailored fit for each client according to what they are bringing and wanting to work on. I draw from many psychotherapeutic theories such as humanistic, existential, attachment and psychodynamic.

In the last ten years I have been exploring my own neurodivergence; I self-identify as AuDHD, so I tend to now work mainly with neurodiverse clients. I am committed to helping you unlearn any shame that you may have encountered about your neurodivergence and giving yourself permission to live your truest version of yourself. This will look and feel different to everyone. And, if you are not neurodiverse, then what may have kept you smaller than you needed to be?

I am passionate about social justice issues and hold in mind how this may show up in the therapeutic space and affect your life as a client in the outside in world, and I won't shy away from talking about politics in the therapy room! I really strive to be a safe person for all identities, races and cultures.

I prefer working long term with clients as I like to allow for the therapy process to unfold and deepen. I am very open to feedback and will use the therapeutic relationship as a bedrock of the work.

I work with adults from 18 years old.

There is wheelchair access to the rooms.

Within the first session I like to hear what has brought you into therapy and what you would like to work on within the sessions. Sometimes the answer to this reveals itself as the sessions progress, it is not always the case that clients know exactly what they would like to address at the beginning. 

It is helpful for us to explore expectations around therapy and the therapeutic process. Depending on what you would like to explore, we may think of some ways that may be helpful as a starting point. The first session will give you a flavour of how I like to work, which put simply is a very attentiive conversation, where I will carefully listen and share some reflections and ask questions to get the best sense of what you are bringing and wanting to work on. But of course, it is also a two way process, as you as the client need to feel comfortable and feel that I am a good fit for you. Much research suggests that the quality of the therapeutic relationship has the best outcomes for clients.

If I feel your presenting issues are outside of my experience I would let you know and do my best to refer you to a suitable colleague or organisation.