Dr Ashling Doherty, Counselling & Psychotherapy Service Newcastle Upon Tyne

17/01/2026

Clinic philosophy is relational which includes attachment and family systems to understand the here and now. I have and continue to work with many lovely humans carrying a parental emotional wound or estranged from family members.

Becoming aware of patterns in relations from childhood can provide information how you relate in current relations.

You are a unique person sharing possibly some similarities with your parents and yet differences. You may have took a different path in career or lifestyle, to be accepted within this is so important in feeling loved. Not being accepted means rejection wound alongside shame and fear. Leaving someone to feel different or excluded however at times others find relief in the rejection. There’s no right or wrong.

There’s a saying “blood is thicker than water”. This is a myth and at times of course many families can be so loving and yet for others not so. Developing a sense of belonging in community , friendship and hobbies is important.

Dr Ashling Doherty

22/10/2025

Trust in a relationship is the confidence of others being there for you, their behaviour, intentions and words.

Relationships include vulnerability and sometimes people enter them from a place of fear. Trust provides a space of safety and security.

Child and adult experience can influence the trust in others.

Consistency of being there for someone can strengthen trust when they’ve been hurt by past relationships. It’s a true gift in life that’s under spoken when someone shows up with consistency.

Consistency is when their behaviour and feelings align with their words, open communication, emotional steady and creating a level of predictability that is overall safety.

This provides a secure base that can be fundamental in learning to trust.

Dr Ashling Doherty

15/03/2025

Psychological projection is when people see their own feelings or thoughts and attribute it to others. This helps them to protect their ego. An example of this would be if someone makes judgement of another e.g. someone says you are pitiful when they are describing themselves.

It is important to remember the projection is not about you but the other persons insecurities. Bringing compassion to their experience can be supportive. Staying calm and dependent on their curiosity it can be talked about. However in some circumstances dependent on the person distance might be required. Your emotional and physical safety is paramount at all times.

www.drashlingdoherty.com

23/11/2024

The nervous system is spoke a lot within psychology. Many think of it as simply ‘becoming calm’. This seems rather oversimplified and it’s not about the end goal of ‘calmness’. This can be rather shaming for many. In clinic we take a fresh approach and consider adaptability to current or past stressors. It’s also okay from time to time to distract from affect (emotions).

Clinic is fully booked until 2025 and saw many changes throughout the year. The waiting area and meditation room got a bit of a revamp.

17/03/2024

In honour of Saint Patrick’s Day…

An Irish proverb: “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two cures for anything”. Not exactly true however beneficial for well-being.

Fun fact: the premises of the clinic was named Anam Cara, my roots are something I’m forever thankful for. Anam Cara translated to English means Soul friend. The confidentiality, privacy (with limitations), safety of the therapeutic relationship is the foundations before the application of any scientific modalities.

Dr Ash 💚

24/02/2024

Yes and no.

Life isn’t always black and white! Plus I prefer pops of colour.

We are all different. And our relationships are too. Two individuals coming together. Not your other half, you are whole as you are.

Relationships are about negotiating and compromising. It is not about sacrificing your self. Voicing your needs is fundamental for growth of you and your relationship. It’s so important to be communicative to avoid resentment. Plus to be curious of another’s needs. If you are having difficulty in voicing your needs you can try asking your partner theirs to open up the discussion. Having a two way conversation about relationship needs and you can share yours.

The most difficult aspect is when another can’t meet our boundaries, perhaps theirs is different. Them being open about this without false promises is a necessity. We have to be aware of our own internal boundaries e.g. when to say no, when to say ‘enough is enough’.

Dr Ash

03/02/2024

And just like that February has arrived. The darkness of winter is easing here in England, the evenings are bringing extended light.

February is recognised as the month of love: Saint Valentine’s Day. Everyone has different views of it. A bit like marmite. We don’t have to save love for one day of the year. How do you express your love? Do you give freely, with-hold or perhaps haven’t thought about it? How do you like to receive love? A blog post wrote this time last year:

https://www.drashlingdoherty.com/2023/01/25/hello-world/

No matter how you might celebrate the month ahead bring intention to cherish and value you.

Peace and love,

Ash

23/12/2023

The last post of 2023.

It is the time of year that evokes reflection of the twelve months experienced. A unique journey, bring light to all you have achieved and what you have yet to experience and enjoy.

The clinic saw many changes throughout the year, adapting to the various seasons that life calls upon us.

January awaits further Continued Professional Development: Certificate in Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy.

With peace & love,

Rest, cocoon for any of the December holidays you may be off.

Ash

A page of free psycho educational information. Although not psychological therapy, it is a space to discuss all topics of being humans. Normalising human experience is important to me.

03/12/2023

Let there be hope that ‘beautiful things are going to happen’. Give it time. One step at a time.

The season we are preparing to greet brings a time of mixed emotions for many.

You might have experienced a really tough year or not ready for the buzz. Or perhaps you are getting stressed by planning for what essentially is one day of the year. Perhaps you are missing someone who’s no longer here. Maybe you are single or experiencing a breakup. There’s so much expectation at this time of year to show up and be happy.

An article I wrote for psycho educational support re December holidays.

https://www.drashlingdoherty.com/2023/11/13/counselling-newcastle/

With peace and love,

Dr Ash

Disclaimer: this page is not an advertisement for the clinic. It is a resource of free information re psychology. By liking the page you are not entering therapy.

12/11/2023

Anhedonia is common within many emotional well-being concerns. I describe it within clinic as ‘reduced ability to enjoy life’. This can present as low mood, sexual interest decreasing, not enjoying connection with others.

It’s rather natural to pull back from the connection of others, this is healthy & recharging (on a self care way, balanced & temporary). Likewise activity choice changes throughout the lifespan.

The first step is to recognise if you are experiencing anhedonia and for how long. Can you put a time line on it e.g. triggered by life stage events or memories from the past.

Within therapy there are many models for treatment to support an increase of enjoyment from life.

Dr Ash