Ashley Yarwood

Welcome

Mental health problems are thought to affect 1 in 4 people each year - and I think anyone with a brain is vulnerable to developing some kind of mental health issue in their lifetime. Some people will happily seek help, and for others, the whole process is like trying to nail fog to a wall. There is no right or wrong of course. However, I understand why people might be confused about how to seek therapy, or reluctant to seek therapy! Whether you want help or not, finding the right therapy and the right therapist can be difficult, as a good relationship with the right therapist can play a big part in your recovery. 

Why I believe in therapy

Therapy has advanced significantly in the last 60, or so, years. I say this because I’ve seen videos of World War 1 veterans clearly struggling with PTSD, and it breaks my heart watching, knowing what we know now about treating trauma and how their lives could have been different, if we only knew then what we know now.  I feel the same when I hear about people who have either had a really bad experience with therapy, are facing very long waiting lists, or people outright refuse to consider treatment, when timely, good therapy may really help! My point is only that if someone is experiencing a mental health problem, therapy can be big part of helping things change fairly quickly. 

When working with people in therapy, I’ve seen these changes happen myself, big or small, - in as little as 1 to 10 sessions (that’s 1 session to10 weeks), I’ve seen many people go from being stuck in a mental health problem, feeling like they’re in a hole with no way out, to living their life again with a new enthusiasm.

The combination of the right person, right type of therapy and a willingness to give therapy a chance can be life changing. 

I offer a free 20 minute consultation for you to find out if I’m the right person for you.

Qualifications and Further Training

  • I am registered with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). You can find me on their register by searching here.

    I am also DBS checked.

  • I have the following qualifications and training:

    • IAPT Clinical Supervisor Training for CBT clinicians and Counsellors (University of Sheffield, 2021);

    • Postgraduate Diploma in High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (University of Birmingham, 2019 - 2020);

    • Postgraduate Certificate in Psychosynthesis Leadership Coaching (Institute of Psychosynthesis, London, 2018);

    • Master’s Degree (MSc) in Counselling Psychology (Keele University, 2010-2013);

    • Bachelor's Degree (BSc) in Psychology and Politics (Keele University, 2006 - 2009).

    Below is a selection of additional training days (CPD) to enhance services I offer and keep up to date with developments in therapy:

    Treatment focused

    • Relational Life Therapy (Relationships, Level 1, RLT Institute, 2025)

    • Therapy and ADHD (Pesi, 2025)

    • EMDR (Institute for Change, 2025)

    • Internal Family Systems for PTSD (Pesi, 2025)

    • Schema therapy (Dr W Behary, 2025)

    • Personality Disorders Certification Training (Dr G Lester, 2024)

    • Developing a Shame Informed Approach (Forgiveness Project, 2024)

    • Neurobiology of Attachment (NICABM, 2024)

    • Fostering Queer Joy: Affirming CBT with LGBTQIA+ groups (Ilana Seager van Dyk, 2024)

    • ACT: Key Therapeutic Strategies (Prof S Hayes, 2023)

    • Treating Complex PTSD (Dr K Young, 2023)

    • Working with Autism (Prof. W Mandy, 2023)

    • CBT for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Dr J Wild, 2023)

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for GAD (Prof. M Dugas, 2023)

    • The Trauma of Racism (NICABM, 2022)

    • High Intensity Interventions for Long Covid (National IAPT, 2020)

    • The challenge of Racism in therapeutic practise (BAATN, 2020)

    • Trauma Summit (Action Trauma, 2020)

    • A m-CBT, CFT, REBT, ACT and DBT 2-day introductory Days (Birmingham University, 2020)

    • Treating Anxiety Disorders (NICE) (2018)

    • Stress Management; Physiology and Health (ISMA, 2017)

    • Psychopharmacology (NHS Chief Pharmacist) (2016)

    • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM Trainer) (2015)

    • Sex and Intimacy in Palliative Care (BH Hospice) (2014)

    Safety

    • Updated guidance on safety issues (K Lacelles, 2023)

    • Level 4 Safeguarding (2022)

    • Domestic Violence in the Pandemic (Women’s Aid, 2021)

    • Risk Management (NHS Psychiatry Services, 2018)

    • Domestic Violence Resources (ISVA, Stoke Council) (2018)

    Healthcare Leadership

    • SSRS, SSIS, SQL and advanced Power BI training (in progress)

    • Data Engineering - Data Literacy Essentials (Learn SAS, 2025)

    • Data Engineering - Data Literacy in Practise (Learn SAS, 2025)

    • In-house management training (various organisations, 2014, 2021)

    • A Celebration of Black Therapists in the UK, Past and Present (BAATN, 2021)

    • Private Practise coaching / development days (private organisations, 2019)

    • Race and the black/white conversation (BAATN, 2019)

    • Trans-Affirmative Healthcare (NHS, 2018)

    • Mediation (NHS, 2018)

    Supervision focused

    • Maintaining best practice in clinical supervision (Dr L Nicklas, 2024)

    • Clinician Mental Health (Dr B Marien, 2022)

  • Previously, I have worked

    • In Women’s Aid - supporting people recovering from abuse.

    • In a hospice - supporting people affected by life limiting illnesses, palliative care or bereavement.

    • In an NHS staff therapy service - supporting all staff experiencing a range of life issues, particularly work related stress/trauma.

    • In NHS mental health service (IAPT), supporting people with a range of life issues, mostly common mental health problems such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, OCD.

    • As a Clinical Team Lead for a private healthcare company providing support and oversight of treatment pathways for various insurance companies.