Ashleigh Gardner

**I currently have daytime appointments only, I have a waiting list for evening appointments**

I offer in person and online sessions Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm. In person sessions are held in Pudsey, easily accessible from both Leeds and Bradford. 

Making the first step and looking for a counsellor to work with can feel scary and overwhelming. It’s hard to know what to say or what to expect, especially if you have not had counselling before.

Building a safe and trusting relationship with your counsellor is important. It can take time to do this, but it is important that you feel comfortable enough with them in the beginning to start on that journey. I offer a safe space, where you will be truly listened to without expectation or judgement. This allows my clients to feel comfortable in being open and honest so that they can get the most out of their sessions.

Counselling sessions are a time for you. They are to be used in a way that you feel will be helpful. This means that you decide what you want to explore during each session. It is an opportunity for you to look at past events and how they are impacting the present, explore thoughts and emotions or find new coping strategies.

My sessions are tailored to each client, this means that they look different for everyone. Being in counselling, there are twists and turns along the way and no two sessions are the same. There may be times where sessions may feel challenging and others where you feel like you’re moving forwards in a way you did not expect and that the dots are starting to join together. 

It is my role to support you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop your ability to make the changes that you want to make. Together, we will explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

As an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, the way that I work combines counselling skills and personal characteristics with theory and professional experience. As my practice is tailored to each client’s individual needs, the theories and methods drawn on vary, however may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Humanistic and Existential Therapies.

My approach is relaxed, authentic and empathic, offering safety for you to explore what brings you to therapy, this might include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or self-confidence, bereavement, work-related stress, loneliness, family issues or relationships. Talking through your experiences in a confidential space without judgement or opinion can be the first step into developing insight into yourself and what you need to move forward. Working together, we can recognise and find meaning in patterns that are useful and those that are not, explore emotions, understand values and explore the meaning of past experiences and how they can inform the present.

I offer a free 15 minute call, this allows us to start to get to know each other and establish if we are a good fit to work together. It also allows you to ask any questions you may have about the process or the way I work. 

In the first session, we will start by going over over the therapeutic agreement which includes the expectations of therapy. It also covers matters such as confidentiality, payment and cancellation policy. We will explore what brings you to therapy and discuss and goals that you might have.

** Please note, I currently have day time availability only and have a waiting list for evening appointments**

I offer in person and online sessions Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm. My practice is based in Pudsey, easily accessible from both Leeds and Bradford.  

Making the first step and looking for a counsellor to work with can feel scary and overwhelming. It’s hard to know what to say or what to expect, especially if you have not had counselling before.

Building a safe and trusting relationship with your counsellor is important. It can take time to do this, but it is important that you feel comfortable enough with them in the beginning to start on that journey. I offer a safe space, where you will be truly listened to without expectation or judgement. This allows my clients to feel comfortable in being open and honest so that they can get the most out of their sessions.

Counselling sessions are a time for you. They are to be used in a way that you feel will be helpful. This means that you decide what you want to explore during each session. It is an opportunity for you to look at past events and how they are impacting the present, explore thoughts and emotions or find new coping strategies.

My sessions are tailored to each client, this means that they look different for everyone. Being in counselling, there are twists and turns along the way and no two sessions are the same. There may be times where sessions may feel challenging and others where you feel like you’re moving forwards in a way you did not expect and that the dots are starting to join together. 

I completed my professional training in MA Integrative Counselling at Leeds Beckett University. Before training as a counsellor, I worked for over 10 years as a Social Worker, working across Yorkshire in both children’s and adult’s services. In this role I supported people in navigating challenging times in their lives.

I have experience in working with a variety of issues. Some of these include anxiety, depression, relationships, work related stress, physical illness, grief and loss.

It is my role to support you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop your ability to make the changes that you want to make. Together, we will explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels comfortable for you.  

My approach is relaxed, authentic and empathic, offering safety for you to explore what brings you to therapy, this might include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or self-confidence, bereavement, work-related stress, loneliness, family issues or relationships. Talking through your experiences in a confidential space without judgement or opinion can be the first step into developing insight into yourself and what you need to move forward. Working together, we can recognise and find meaning in patterns that are useful and those that are not, explore emotions, understand values and explore the meaning of past experiences and how they can inform the present. 

Working with you and your individual needs, I integrate theory, counselling skills, personal characteristics and qualities into my work. I embrace elements of person centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), existential and psychodynamic theories. Each of these are not always present for all clients but will depend on the needs and preferences of each individual. 

I offer a free 15 minute consultation prior to booking a first session, this allows us to get a sense of how we will work together. 

In the first session, we will go over the therapeutic agreement which outlines expectations of the work we can do. It includes details about confidentiality, payment and cancellations. We will talk about what brings you to therapy and discuss any specific goals you might have. 

**I currently have daytime availability only. I have a waiting list for evening appointments**

I offer in person and online sessions Monday - Friday between 9am and 6pm. In person sessions are from my therapy room in Pudsey, easily accessible from both Leeds and Bradford. 

Making the first step and looking for a counsellor to work with can feel scary and overwhelming. It’s hard to know what to say or what to expect, especially if you have not had counselling before.

Building a safe and trusting relationship with your counsellor is important. It can take time to do this, but it is important that you feel comfortable enough with them in the beginning to start on that journey. I offer a safe space, where you will be truly listened to without expectation or judgement. This allows my clients to feel comfortable in being open and honest so that they can get the most out of their sessions.

Counselling sessions are a time for you. They are to be used in a way that you feel will be helpful. This means that you decide what you want to explore during each session. It is an opportunity for you to look at past events and how they are impacting the present, explore thoughts and emotions or find new coping strategies.

My sessions are tailored to each client, this means that they look different for everyone. Being in counselling, there are twists and turns along the way and no two sessions are the same. There may be times where sessions may feel challenging and others where you feel like you’re moving forwards in a way you did not expect and that the dots are starting to join together. 

It is my role to support you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop your ability to make the changes that you want to make. Together, we will explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

As an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, the way that I work combines counselling skills and personal characteristics with theory and professional experience. As my practice is tailored to each client’s individual needs, the theories and methods drawn on vary, however may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Humanistic and Existential Therapies.

My approach is relaxed, authentic and empathic, offering safety for you to explore what brings you to therapy, this might include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or self-confidence, bereavement, work-related stress, loneliness, family issues or relationships. Talking through your experiences in a confidential space without judgement or opinion can be the first step into developing insight into yourself and what you need to move forward. Working together, we can recognise and find meaning in patterns that are useful and those that are not, explore emotions, understand values and explore the meaning of past experiences and how they can inform the present.

I offer a free 15 minute call, this helps us to get to know each other a little and see if we can begin to work well together. This also allows the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the process or how I work. 

Our first session will start with going over the therapeutic agreement. This includes expectations of sessions, confidentiality, payment and cancelation details.