Psychological therapy for adults experiencing anxiety, depression and recurring emotional difficulties.
Based in Derby, with therapy available in person locally and online across the UK.
Compassionate. Focused. Actively engaged.
I’m Dr Ashley Francis, a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working with people experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. My approach is compassionate and active: creating a space where you can feel understood, while also helping you to recognise and work through the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
I specialise in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an approach that aims to move beyond symptom management and address the underlying emotional processes contributing to your difficulties. If you are tired of simply trying to manage your symptoms, and you want to get to the root of things, then my approach may just be right for you.
I have trained extensively in ISTDP and have years of experience working in both private practice and the NHS. My clinical work has involved assessing and treating a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties experienced by adults. I am also an expert witness for cases in the civil courts, where I bring my knowledge and expertise to bear upon personal injury and serious clinical negligence cases.
My interest in intensive short-term psychodynamic therapy (ISTDP) developed from wanting to work more directly with the emotional processes that can maintain psychological difficulties; I was tired of simply helping people manage symptoms, and wanted to learn how to help people get to the core of their issues. I completed three years of core ISTDP training in Boston, USA, followed by a further year of advanced ISTDP training. I continue to develop my practice through ongoing study, supervision and professional development.
You can expect my approach to be warm, collaborative and most of all, honest. I aim to create a space where we can look directly and openly at what's causing your difficulties, and work together to change longstanding patterns in how you see yourself and relate to others.
HCPC Registered
Core & Advanced Training
NHS & Private Practice
People come to therapy for many different reasons. You may be struggling with a particular difficulty, or simply recognise that certain emotional or relationship patterns keep repeating despite your efforts to change them. Whatever your difficulties, we will assess them together with care and attention, and discover what is driving them.
Persistent anxiety, worry or tension that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, on edge or unable to switch off.
Feeling low, emotionally flat or lacking motivation, enjoyment or a sense of connection with yourself and others.
Putting intense pressure on yourself, struggling with a harsh inner critic or feeling that what you do is never quite good enough.
Recurring difficulties in close relationships, such as conflict, withdrawing, people-pleasing or struggling with trust and emotional closeness.
Finding it difficult to recognise, experience or express emotions such as anger, sadness, guilt or affection.
Recognising patterns in how you think, feel or relate to others that keep repeating, despite understanding them or trying to change.
CLIENT EXPERIENCES
“My experience with Dr Ashley Francis
was life-changing to say the least. He was highly professional yet personable throughout my entire treatment.”
We begin with a focused two-hour assessment to understand your difficulties and determine how therapy may help.
The initial assessment gives us time to explore the difficulties that have brought you to therapy, understand the emotional patterns that may be contributing to them, and begin to see how these processes operate in your life on a day to day basis.
The assessment is also an opportunity for you to experience how I work. ISTDP is an active and collaborative approach, so rather than simply gathering information about your history, we will begin working together on the difficulties you want help with.
At the end of the session, I’ll share my understanding of your difficulties. We’ll then decide together whether ISTDP is a good fit and, if so, discuss arranging regular weekly sessions.
There is no obligation to continue therapy following the assessment if we decide the approach is not right for you.
Extended assessment session
£250
Available throughout the UK
A written summary of the assessment and recommendations
Investing now for
your future self.
Private payment or healthcare insurance from BUPA, Aviva, AXA or Vitality is accepted.
£250
2 hours online or in Derby
A comprehensive assessment to understand your difficulties and the emotional patterns that may be contributing to them, and to consider whether ISTDP is going to be helpful to you.
£125
50 minute sessions
Ongoing therapy sessions are usually held weekly, allowing us to work consistently work on emotional difficulties and patterns identified. Sessions are held online or in Derby.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
If you're considering therapy and would like to explore whether working with me might be right for you,
the first step is to arrange an initial assessment.
