How I Work

About Me

Ashley Bowes, MBACP

I hold a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling accredited by the university of Middlesex in London and am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I am bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and Standards of Practice.

In addition to my private practice, I work for EAP’s (Employee Assisted Program’s) and have volunteered for several years at the Windsor and Maidenhead Youth and Community Counselling Service.

Prior to becoming a counsellor, I worked as a private chef, eventually moving into catering and running a small food delivery service. My emphasis was always on producing well balanced and nutritional food. After many years of yoga practice, I re-trained as a yoga teacher and have been practicing and teaching yoga for many years. As a humanistic yoga teacher, I encourage awareness and sensing of the whole self. Breath observation and moment by moment allowing of the self are compassionate practises that I believe can be transformational and translate well into the counselling room to help relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, helping the individual to reconnect to a sense of inner wisdom and insight.

My Approach

Empowering you

Sometimes life can seem quite overwhelming, bringing challenges and difficulties that threaten to topple us, and it is understandable that at these times we might need to reach out for support in facing them. As a counsellor my role is to provide a safe and supportive environment where we can explore life to enable a fresh perspective on past and current issues and help you on your journey of self-discovery; to enable you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it.

I offer a chance to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing in a safe and confidential environment. Whatever you bring, your issues are worked with in a sensitive, compassionate, and non-judgemental way and together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to new perspectives - and perhaps a fresh understanding of yourself. Counselling isn’t about giving you solutions or advice, it is about empowering you to make your own changes.

Tailored to your individuality

Being a Humanistic Counsellor I believe that people have a deep yearning for connection, growth, healing and self-knowledge and I recognise and appreciate the unique context of each individual. Arriving as you are, irrespective of ethnic origin, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, or background, you will be welcome.

Reaching 'self actualisation'

As a humanistic counsellor, I will accompany you on your journey - as a fellow traveller and sometimes guide - towards what the founder of person-centred counselling, Carl Rogers, called ‘self-actualisation’. Humanistic counselling is focussed on empathy, a non-judgemental approach and providing emotional support and the belief that everyone has a built-in motivation to strive towards their full potential, but sometimes may need a bit of support to get there!

COUNSELLING WITH ASHLEY

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY IN Maidenhead, berkshire