Heather Ashford

I provide in-person therapy at the Clifton Down Therapy Rooms, Clifton, Bristol. I also offer remote sessions.

Sometimes, when we are struggling with our mental health, it can feel isolating and frightening. It may feel as though no-one else understands what you are going through, and you may begin to feel disconnected from others and even from yourself. Therapy with me offers you a safe, compassionate space where you can express yourself openly and honestly, without fear of judgement.

Through developing a genuine therapeutic relationship with the right therapist, we can begin to reconnect to ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. By empathising and hearing your experiences with curiosity and compassion, I aim to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, empowering you to make positive changes and move forwards with greater clarity and confidence.

Within my private practice, I have supported clients with many different issues, including:

- Depression and low mood

- Very low self-esteem and lack of confidence

- Anxiety, including social anxiety, health anxiety and panic attacks

- Challenging life transitions, such as starting a new job, starting university, beginning a new relationship

- University/exam stress

- Relationship difficulties, including challenges with family members, friends, romantic partners and breakups

- Unhealthy family dynamics

- Exploring past abuse, including child abuse and neglect, past sexual assault

- Loneliness

- Identity exploration

- Wishing to understand themselves more deeply.

This list is not exhaustive, and I can create and hold space for whatever you need to bring.

I am an integrative relational therapeutic counsellor, registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I place great importance on building a safe, trusting and genuine therapeutic relationship. I will facilitate a relationship which enables you to feel safe enough to grow and change.

Working in an integrative way means I blend a range of different therapeutic approaches based on what works best for you as a unique individual. I will work collaboratively with you, and tailor how I work based on your individual needs and experiences.

My work integrates mainly person-centred and psychodynamic approaches. In practice, this means we focus both on what is happening in your life now, whilst also working at a deeper level, exploring past experiences that may be unconsciously influencing how you feel, think and relate in the present. I may also bring elements of other theories, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Transaction Analysis, into our work, if appropriate for you. I will work with you at your own pace, to your own goals.

I work in a trauma-informed way, ensuring your safety is paramount and that you always have autonomy and choice.

Prior to working in private practice, I have worked as a counsellor in numerous settings, including a domestic abuse charity, a general mental health charity, a sixth form college and a secondary school. I have also volunteered at The Listening Place (London), providing ongoing in-person listening support to those who feel suicidal.

I regularly engage in ongoing training and personal development. It is important to me to ensure my ways of working are up-to-date and evidence based.

Deciding to embark on therapy, and deciding to set aside 50 minutes a week to dedicate to your self-awareness and self-development, is a huge first step.

​It is normal to feel nervous about having a first session, and I will do my best at creating an environment where you feel safe, welcomed and heard. I will ask you some initial questions to help me to understand your needs and how best I can support you - there are no right or wrong answers. I will provide you with a space for you to tell your story at a pace that is comfortable for you.

I will work hard to understand your needs from therapy and together we will agree on goals and how we will work together. This will be regularly reviewed with you over time.