Ashley Wilson Counselling and Psychotherapy

11/09/2025

Autumn has arrived 🍂🍁💜

My counselling logo is of a autumnal tree.. this was intentional 💜

I've always felt like counselling for me was a chance to 'coorie in', wrap up and allow myself some time to reset. It gave me comfort and safety when things felt harsh.

Nature is preparing for colder, darker months. And maybe we are too? Maybe a little empathy, care and rest at this time for us too?

Counselling can feel like a place of shelter and warmth. Especially when things feel heavy or too much.

I'd be happy to hear from you at this time of change, in our seasons. 🍂

04/09/2025

Yes, counselling is my business, but it is also my passion. And that passion has brought about a wee bit of growth, and change to my business...🌻

Counsellors are highly trained professionals who offer an invaluable service. That's why it can be expensive! It is our livelihood.

But...
I really feel strongly about removing barriers that are preventing people from accessing mental health and wellbeing support.

Money/ cost of counselling is definitely one of those barriers.💷 🚧

I recently decided that I wanted to introduce a 'sliding scale' fee for people who are on low income, unemployed or in full- time study.

Counselling shouldn't be something only accessible for 'some' people. My counselling space is for all of us, just as we are. And I am in a privileged position in which I can offer reduced rates... so I want to!

Hope this helps someone today. ❤️

You can email me if you would like to find out more, at:
awilson.counselling@outlook.com

Best wishes, always ✨️

29/08/2025

Am I the right counsellor for you?

Becoming a counsellor has been a long, gradual, carefully considered process for me. Here's a little timeline of my journey. 📆

✨️I gained my BA Hons in Religious Studies with Professional Education in 2011, and entered the world of Secondary Education 👩‍🏫.

✨️I then gained my first Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (and hypnotherapy!) In 2015.

✨️Principal teacher of guidance experience in 2016.

✨️I became a mum (for the first time!) in 2017.

✨️By 2023, my postgraduate diploma in humam relations and counselling, and an additional postgraduate certificate in counselling chidren, young people and families was complete!

✨️ In 2024 I started working with a mental health charity as a counsellor in primary schools.

And of course, my own human experiences of loss, pain, identity, and everything in between(!) have been scattered throughout.

And here I am, now. 14 years of working with young people and continued professional development has led me to...

✨️Counsellor, teacher, charity worker, mum.
And possibly, just like you, continuing to gain a deeper understanding of myself every day. 😊

If you feel like I may be the right person to sit with you, by your side, as you allow yourself space and time to figure it out, email me at: awilson.counselling@outlook.com

✴️My service is priced ethically.
✴️I offer as much flexibility as possible.
✴️And I continue to develop professionally.

Best wishes, always.
Ashley

20/08/2025

Evenings at Balallan House 🧡

16/08/2025

Saturdays at One Allan Park Wellbeing Clinic ❤️

15/08/2025

💯

read more: michellcclark.substack.com

05/08/2025

Today I have a few hours to myself... child-free! 🙏
As a mum of 3, with a very small 'village,' the summer holidays always makes me question my parenting. And emotional rollercoaster of "Am I good enough?" 🎢

This passage was gifted to me by my own counsellor. She has held me through huge life events in my various roles; as a carer, a student, a wife, a daughter and perhaps most significantly, as a mother.

In this passage Winnicott reminds me, of 3 significant things:

✨️Children will (and arguably they SHOULD!) try to uncover the 'whole' of themselves- including the aggressive/ challenging parts of themselves.
✨️As parents we face the challenge of holding/ containing this process whilst they experiment and explore these aspects of themselves. 'True-self' is attainable within a secure relationship.
✨️We can offer them the opportunity for self- development within the relationship we cultivate and nurture together.
✨️And all of this is HARD work for the parent. Thankless at times. And labour intensive...
But ultimately... success can be brought about through 'good enough' parenting. Certainly not perfect.

Because we too are children figuring out our own 'stuff' at times. Our own childhoods, and perhaps our own lack of opportunity for self-development. Maybe some of us are figuring it all out alongside our children. Psychodynamic counselling, for me, supported me in exactly that. 🙏

(This is Donald W. Winnicott, from Playing and Reality (1971), in the essay “Death and Murder in the Adolescent Process.”)

23/07/2025

New counselling space ✨️🛋

An important part of our therapeutic frame is setting.

On a Saturday, I continue to see my clients at the lovely One Allan Park Wellbeing Clinic. Where it all began!

Now, I am very pleased (and grateful!) to offer counselling from an additional location- Balallan House, during the week ☺️.

I hope that you will agree, that beautiful Balallan House in Stirling city centre provides a warm, welcoming, private setting for our weekly counselling sessions.

Sometimes a little picture can help us to take the next step, or maybe even ease a little anxiety about coming to counselling.

So here it is.. ✨️📸

Best wishes, always.
Ashley

20/07/2025

Initial consultations 🗣🤝 ❓️ Initial consultations with me hold absolutely no obligation to commit to counselling sessions thereafter. No pressure, or expectation, come along just as you are.
Allow us our first 50 minutes together and see if I am the right counsellor for you.
Need further info? Drop me an email at awilson.counselling@outlook.com ☺️

12/07/2025

✨️ New availability ✨️

As my summer holiday comes to an end ☀️, I am feeling refreshed and really looking forward to getting back to my counselling work later next week!

Appointments are now available on:

✨️Monday- Day and Evening appts
✨️Wednesday- Evening appts
✨️Saturday- Day appts

This increase in availability comes as I approach the 1 year mark of my counselling practice. I am so grateful for all of my lovely clients I have worked with over the year 🙏.

This work is difficult, rewarding, but ultimately an absolute privilege. And with that, I have decided to let my business grow further by investing more time and passion into this work, and allowing more flexibility for my clients. 📅

I welcome all enquiries/ questions via email- new and old (if I haven't been able to accommodate your schedule previously!) 📧

I will be happy to chat with you to see if my counselling approach feels right for you.

With best wishes, always.
Ashley 🌼

12/04/2025

Hello 👋

A little update from me...

I have been very busy this year working with clients in private practice. It has been lovely to meet new clients, work longer-term with existing clients, and welcome back returning clients as they work towards further self-awareness and understanding. For this I am truly grateful 🙏

In another part of my career, I have been working in the charitable sector as a mental health counsellor for children in primary schools. This has been a rich learning environment for my own professional development as I develop my skills in play therapy and different counselling modalities. I am enjoying this new experience immensely and appreciate the opportunity to bring these newly acquired skills to my private practice when working with adolescents and parents.

Keep those enquiries coming ☺️.
New appointment slots/ times will be available closer to summer ☀️

With best wishes, always. Ashley. ✨️

19/12/2024

As my final evening of private practice finishes for 2024, I am consciously aware of how difficult this time of year can be for many of us.

The many varying expectations of the season can be overwhelming. And stressful. For many reasons.

I'm guilty of experiencing the season as a 'marker' of how things have changed since last Christmas. Or the Christmas before that one. I think back to childhood too.

With this comes feelings of loss and sadness for lots of us. Because we all see and feel this season differently. Through our own lenses of life and experience.

I hope that you can be gentle with yourself at this time of year, however you are experiencing the season.

And I look forward to continuing my work in January with my clients- current and new.

Best wishes. Always ✨️