Welcome to

Holding Hope Therapies

Expert Clinical Psychology. Thoughtful, individualised care.

Providing specialist assessment and evidence-based therapy for adults, young people and families. 

With over 25 years of combined clinical experience, our Psychologists work with a broad range of emotional difficulites, including anxiety, depression and trauma, with particular expertise in chronic pain and complex physical health conditions. 

We also provide NICE compliant Autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people, alongside post-diagnostic support for familes.

Our approach is warm, considered and highly individual, bringing together clinical expertise and evidence-based practice to provide care shaped around each person and their circumstances.

All therapy sessions are offered remotley by Dr Ashlyn Firkins and Dr Kate Nurser.  

Our Founder

Dr Firkins

Ashlyn brings nearly a decade of NHS experience, progressing to Clinical Lead, where she combined specialist clinical practice with strategic leadership and service development.   

Ashlyn founded Holding Hope with a clear vision: To offer the clinical excellence and rigour of specialist psychology services within a more personal, responsive and individualised setting. Her approach is warm, considered and collaborative, with a focus on understanding each person's experience and what matters most to them.

Her clinical expertise spans a broad range of psychological difficulties and trauma, with particular experience in chronic pain and complex physical health conditions. She has held senior and specalist NHS roles, supporting people through significant, often life changing experiences.

Alongside her clinical career, Ashlyn has a strong academic background, with reserach published in peer-reviewed journals across psychological and physical health. Her clinical work continues to be informed by the latest research and evidence-based practice.

 

WHY CHOOSE HOLDING HOPE THERAPIES?

EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE

Our practice psychologist, Dr Firkins, is highly trained, with a Masters in Neuropsychology and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has gained substantial clinical experience working within the National Health Service and substantial research experience at the University of Cambridge and most recently as an Associate Research Fellow at the University of the West of England.

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EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH

Dr Firkins is trained in well-researched, evidence-based interventions, which are advocated by the National Health Institute of Clinical Excelllence (NICE) in the treatment of many mental health difficulties. This should offer peace of mind to those looking to find a clinician with the right knowledge base to help.  

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PERSONAL AND THOROUGH

Sadly, it is not uncommon for those struggling with their mental health to describe previously receiving care that was not fit for purpose. This may include treatments which were too short or too light touch to get to the root of the problem. Dr Firkins is trained in thorough, long term models and offers treatments that reflects her depth of training. 

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CONVENIENT

Dr Firkins has lots of experience providing therapy virtually.
Moving sessions online means that more appointment times can be offered, session prices are reduced, the burden of travel eliminated and it ensures that more people can access our services regardless of where they live.

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FLEXIBLE AND RESPONSIVE

Holding Hope Therapies recognises that your time is precious and does not want you to suffer for a moment longer then needed. With this in mind, Dr Firkins aims to respond to all enquiries within 48hours.

GET IN TOUCH

To make an enquiry or book an appointment, please complete the contact form below:

Testimonials

  • I have no words that will truly capture how grateful I am to Ashlyn. Her patience, kindness and brilliant knowledge helped me through some really difficult times. Her sessions were useful and tailored to suit me which showed how much she listens to her clients and takes care to adapt to meet them where they are.

    Client navigating physical health difficulties

  • Ashlyn shared some really useful tools/resources for me to refer back to…. I also learnt to be more compassionate towards myself. Ashlyn made me feel seen, heard and validated in our sessions together - that alone helped me so much.

    Client navigating physical health difficulties

  • Ashlyn has by far given the best experience you could ask for. She is kind and considerate with our needs being priority. I really love how she has a plan for the session but can change it on the fly to suit what is needed at the time.

    Parent of a child, navigating anxiety and school-based challenges

  • The experience had a profoundly positive effect on my overall wellbeing, through seemingly subtle changes in thought processes and actions.

    Client navigating physical health difficulties

  • I have gained so much more confidence within me. I don’t really care what people think about me anymore.

    Client navigating anxiety and low mood
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