INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults Through Change, Identity and Growth
WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Adolescence and young adulthood can bring significant change. Relationships become more complex, identity develops, independence grows and life can begin to feel overwhelming.
Integrative psychotherapy offers a safe, collaborative space to explore these experiences. Rather than following one fixed way of working, I draw from a range of evidence-informed approaches to meet each young person where they are.
Sessions remain creative, relational and trauma-informed, while also making space for conversation, reflection and practical strategies when they’re helpful.
HOW WE MIGHT WORK TOGETHER
Sessions might include:
- Talking and reflective conversation
Creative activities when words are difficult
Psychoeducation about emotions, the brain and nervous system. - Understanding relationships and attachment
Exploring identity, confidence and self-esteem - Mindfulness and grounding techniques
Somatic awareness and body-based regulation - Goal setting and coping strategies
Every session looks different because every young person is different.
WHO IS INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR?
Integrative psychotherapy may be helpful for young people experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Emotional overwhelm
- Self-esteem difficulties
- Identity exploration
- Relationship challenges
- School, college or university stress
- Life transitions
- Trauma
- Neurodivergence
- Loss or change
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?
Unlike younger children, many adolescents and young adults want opportunities to talk, reflect and better understand themselves. Sessions can still include creativity, but it becomes one of many ways we explore thoughts, emotions and experiences.
Some sessions are conversation-based. Others naturally include creative activities, psychoeducation or practical strategies. Together, we’ll find an approach that feels comfortable and meaningful.
WHAT DOES AN INTEGRATIVE SESSION LOOK LIKE?
Sessions are around 50 minutes and shaped around your individual needs. Some people arrive wanting to talk, while others find creativity, reflection or practical strategies more helpful. There is no expectation to share anything before you feel ready. Together, we’ll build a way of working that feels safe, collaborative and meaningful.
THE APPROACHES I DRAW UPON
Integrative psychotherapy allows me to draw from a range of evidence-informed approaches, selecting what is most helpful for each young person rather than following one fixed model.
These may include:
- Relational psychotherapy – understanding how relationships shape our emotional wellbeing.
- Trauma-informed practice – creating safety, trust and emotional regulation before deeper therapeutic work.
- Creative approaches – using art, metaphor and other creative methods when words are difficult.
- Attachment-informed practice – exploring patterns of connection, security and belonging.
- Psychoeducation – helping young people understand their emotions, brain and nervous system.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – exploring how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another, while developing practical coping strategies and new ways of responding to challenges.
- Motivational Interviewing – supporting confidence, motivation and meaningful change.
- Somatic awareness – developing greater awareness of the body’s signals and practising regulation techniques.
Every young person is different, so not every approach is used in every session. Together, we build a way of working that feels right for you.
KIND WORDS
I can’t praise Ashleigh enough for her work she done with my son in helping him with the transition of settling into secondary school. Patient and very professional.
Ashleigh is a wonderful play therapist. Sensitive, thoughtful, insightful and very kind.
Our daughter had a tricky time compounded by change of schools and the pandemic. She loved Ashleigh and really trusted her.
Ashleigh gently got her back on track and made school seem fun again. We can’t thank her enough for helping us turn a corner with our daughter, who is now thriving. We highly recommend her.
Ashleigh’s warmth and natural connection with children was ideal for making the sessions a positive experience. She was expert, responsive and professional in all our interaction with her too. Would highly recommend.