A personal message from our Co-Founder and Clinical Director. Dr Ashleigh

“As a millennial, I grew up in a small town in the North West of England during a time when mental health was rarely, if ever, discussed. It wasn’t spoken about in schools or colleges and mental health support was limited and not openly addressed. I was stunned by the lack of resources available, both in my hometown and more broadly across our generation—we simply didn’t know enough about mental health or how to access help when it was needed.

Growing up, I trained as an elite athlete, competing as a national swimmer across England and abroad and held a Junior British Record in open water swimming.. My journey took me to Loughborough University, where I had the honor of training as an elite athlete and qualifying for the Commonwealth Games trials. Alongside the triumphs and challenges of high-level sport, I witnessed firsthand how both athletes and non-athletes struggled with their mental health. Despite the incredible resilience required in sports, I saw how mental health challenges could quietly undermine even the most resilient individuals and it was here I learnt that mental health difficulties did not discriminate; no one was immune to mental health struggles. This experience left a lasting impression on me.

It was during this time that my perspective shifted. Instead of pursuing my ambition to compete at the Commonwealth Games, I found myself drawn to a greater mission: to provide hope and support for those battling with their mental health. This realisation changed the course of my life and set me on my journey to become a Clinical Psychologist.

My goal from the very beginning was clear: to learn from the best and equip myself with the knowledge and skills needed to make a real difference. I spent the next 10 years studying and training at top universities including Loughborough University were I achieved a First Class BSc Psychology Degree with Honours. I completed my MSc in Mental Health Studies with Distinction at the world renowned King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (IoPPN), and finally my Clinical Psychology Doctorate (DClinPsy) and Post Graduate Diploma (PGDIP) in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Royal Holloway University of London. I completed the highest level of education because it was deeply important and essential for me to ensure I could offer the highest standard of care to my clients.

Now, having co-founded Regal Private Therapy Practice in Central London, I remain committed to making gold standard mental health support accessible to everyone. While the clinic is based in the capital, I am aware of the accesibility challenges faced by those from more rural areas areas of the country like towns in the North West, where access to quality services can still be very limited. It’s incredibly important to me that our services at Regal provide hope and healing to clients regardless of where they come from and I encourage prospective clients to access our clinics services virtually and reach out for a chat to see how we can support you.

These experiences—from growing up in a community with limited mental health resources, to training as an elite athlete, to witnessing the struggles of those around me—have shaped the Psychologist I am today. They have instilled in me a deep compassion and understanding of the complex interplay between mental health, personal circumstances, and resilience. My journey has taught me the importance of creating a safe, non-judgmental space for my clients, where they can explore their challenges and build a pathway to greater well-being. I feel deeply privilege to be able xxxx.

Like physical health, we all have mental health and as humans we have an obligation to look after them both. I believe everybody should have the opportunity to access therapy and learn about how their mind works. Recving support and a guiding direction/helping hand early to put you back on track - gets best results… whether they meet the criteria for a mental health difficulty or simply have xyz. Whether you’re an athlete, a student, a parent or someone navigating life’s challenges, I bring empathy, attentiveness, and evidence-based practices to every session, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. There is no problem too small……