Ash Griffiths

My Name is Ash Griffiths, also know as Griff. I am extremely proud to have served as a Royal Marine Commando for 10 years. I have worked within specialist military and Law Enforcement teams in various arduous and hostile locations globally. I have been lucky enough to work alongside some of the best people and soldiers.

Following the Royal Marines, I sought employment in both the Super Yacht and maritime Securities and Defence Industries.

Presently I work for a UK Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) as an Operational Training Manager where I am responsible for operational training development. I advise other FRS on specialist projects.

Alongside my role in the FRS I work as an solution focused, integrative therapist and coach in private Practise. I started T2c with the aim of helping people process and manage difficult times and trauma. I aim to provide quality, affordable support to those suffering and reduce the stigma that surrounds poor mental health.

I am married with children and Live on the UK South Coast

About
Turn 2 Counselling and Coaching
(T2c)

Turn 2 Counselling and Coaching (T2C) was established in 2018, in response to a number of incidents and subsequent deficiencies in mental health provisions within the UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services. It is clear that mental health challenges are escalating both in prevalence and severity. Simultaneously, the availability of good, tailored therapeutic interventions appears to be diminishing with the introduction of big international companies promising the “Quick Fix” over quality mental health provisions.

T2c is different. I draw on personal experiences from my time in both the Uk Armed Forces, the Emergency Services and Private sector to address the gaps in talking therapies and counselling services. The aim being, to adjust the stereotypical stigma, especially for those who have been part of the Emergency Services and Armed Forces ‘double’ life. I offer a different approach to counselling therapy and create an effective, trusting therapeutic relationship. I am an integrative therapist and use different models to create a bespoke therapeutic intervention tailored to each individual client. I am able to create a professional therapeutic relationship relatively quickly, enhancing the therapeutic journey for each individual. In other words, I am able to cut through to work on a deeper level right from the first time we meet.

I am incredibly proud of T2c and the developmental journey and pathway that is being mapped out. Originally created to target those suffering from poor mental health and traumatic injuries. T2c was developed to coach coping mechanisms and protect mental health well being within an increasing range of mental health issues. T2c now has an increasingly diverse and growing client base that encompasses many diverse backgrounds, age groups groups and ethnicities. From hugely successful buisness owners and specialist military and law enforcement sectors to those struggling with whatever curve ball life throws at them.

I have a deep understanding and experince of working with addictions, neuro-diversity, trauma and PTSD. I am committed to delivering a distinctly different therapeutic approach that rapidly creates a trusting and empathetic relationship. I believe a working, reliable and confidential relationship is the foundation to enable swift access to core issues, thus promoting a solution-focused methodology. My core belief is that throughout the therapeutic process, it is essential that the client remains the focal point and the primary driver of each session. I take pride in my capacity to comprehend the unique needs, languages, and nuances of humour prevalent within both the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.

While the pathway to recovery is undoubtedly challenging and devoid of quick fixes, there is always a way forward. I firmly believe that every client possesses the ability to effect change, provided that the environment and therapeutic relationship are conducive to such transformation. I uphold an ethical framework of non-judgment and absolute confidentiality.

“Awareness creates choice, courage creates change.”

What I Offer

I offer a bespoke, integrative person-centred counselling and therapeutic service. I integrate different therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Transactional Analysis (TA) in order to give the client the absolute best therapeutic experience I can offer. I have recently introduced a coaching element which supplements the therapeutic approach well and is evolving in order to meet future clients needs. The element that separates me from other therapists and counsellors is that I have real life experience of life in Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Private Sector. I understand the multiple facets, good and bad, the different languages and the coping strategies used. I have the “dark”humour that is required to survive and thrive in these very different worlds.

What you need to know

The client is always at the centre of what I do as a therapist. I don't give advise or 'fix' things with some sort of magic wand, the wand simply does not exist. I am able to create the right therapeutic conditions and environment quicker, enabling the client to work on a much deeper level. This helps the client understand, accept and make the changes needed to move forward with resilience, confidence and self compassion

I offer a confidential, empathetic therapeutic environment where the client and therapist build a trusting relationship. This enables the client to explore in depth, and develop a rationale for their feelings and emotions. I work with the clients to develop 'strategies’ and “tools” to help with feelings and emotions. I help people move forward with their lives and sometimes that must include hurt and pain. It may take courage to make big, life changing decisions. The foundations of T2c are Trust, Confidentiality, Empathy and Congruence and working within a registered (BACP) ethical framework means that I ensure the clients welfare is at the very core of my theraputic intervention. Through supervision and professional alignment, I offer the very best therapeutic relationship I can.

The first, and usually the most difficult step, is to arrange an initial session. This is usually conducted online and are used as an information gathering assessment tool. Predominantly, the sessions are used as an “Ice Breaker.” This gives the client a chance to ask any questions they may have and a choice of whether they can work effectively with me. There is a charge for these session if we agree to work together, if the you feel that the way I work is not for you then the session is free of charge.

Sessions will be charged following a negotiated price and fees are considered on an individual basis.
Sessions are typically 50 -60mins in duration
Cancellations must be given 24hrs in advance, failure to do so may insure a session charge.
Online session will be conducted through various secure and encrypted platforms.
Clients are expected to sign and return a therapeutic contract and not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the session time.
Online session links are usually sent by email 15 minutes prior to the session start time.

Face To Face Therapy Sessions

Face to face is the conventional approach to creating a safe therapeutic environment. Both client and therapist are situated in the same room and environment with the aim of repeating the sessions at the same time and day, if viable. Rooms used for Face to Face therapy sessions are located in Highcliffe, near Christchurch on the South Coast of England. These are booked in advance and will require a degree of flexibility.

Walk & Talk Therapy Sessions

Walk And Talk Therapy is becoming a more popular. Different from face to face and is tailored to suit the clients physical and mental health. A session builds and creates the same therapeutic relationship but is not restricted by the walls of a room. “I can be more open because I’m in the open.”

Walk and Talk sessions take place within the New Forest, and surrounding beach locations and have proven to be very successful irrespective of the Great British Weather.

Online
Therapy Sessions

Online Therapy uses the power of the internet and is another popular form of counselling therapy. By its nature it is hugely accessible from different parts of the world. It allows clients to continue their therapeutic journey wherever they are. These sessions requires a good, stable internet connection and the ability to utilise video call. Online sessions are accessible for any age and background. I use secure and encrypted online platforms and a link is usually before the session is due to start. These sessions have continued to gain popularity following the Covid Pandemic. Sessions are flexible and tailored to fit around the clients lifestyle. This is popular with clients who find themselves out of the country or those that are not time rich.

Home Visit
Therapy Sessions

These sessions are tailored for clients who are not able or feel more comfortable in the home locationSome clients are not able to leave where they live and therefore therapy can be tricky. These sessions are usually combined with a hybrid of the online sessions. This will be at the discretion of the client.