Holistic Healing-Mind, Body, Soul
Person-Centred, Trauma-Informed Support for Healing and Growth across the Lifespan
Located in the historic town of Hawick in the picturesque Scottish Borders, A Positive Start CIC (APS CIC) is a trauma‑informed emotional health and wellbeing organisation dedicated to supporting community embodied emotional health and wellbeing.
We are committed to empowering individuals, families, and communities through trauma‑informed and person‑centred approaches:
- Person-centred counselling and psychotherapy
- Reunification therapy and family support — helping families rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and navigate complex transitions
- Social-emotional literacy and emotional regulation programmes
- Holistic therapy and psycho-education
- Coaching for individuals and small teams — supporting confidence, clarity, and sustainable change
- Practicum and counselling student placements — delivered in collaboration with colleges and universities to support ethical learning and trauma-informed practice
Our specialist consultancy, workforce education, and professional services are delivered through the TRUST Foundation, the trauma-informed services arm of A Positive Start CIC.
Together, these services provide integrated support for personal healing, family connection, professional learning, and organisational transformation.
Our Eco-System of Care
Our work is held as an ecosystem, not a series of separate services.
Consultancy and education delivered through the TRUST Foundation support trauma-informed, person-centred practice and help sustain the wider work.
This enables us to provide supported student learning and supervision, which in turn allows us to offer free counselling to individuals who may otherwise face barriers to access.
When people feel heard, supported, and regulated, this contributes to safer communities. Learning from community work then feeds back into education and consultancy, strengthening the whole system.
At the centre of the ecosystem is a simple principle:
learning, care, and sustainability happen in relationship.
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Championing Social-Emotional Literacy Life Skills
“Global Presence Ambassador” is an honorary designation awarded passionate Life Skills pioneers around the world. Ambassadors come from a broad array of backgrounds and professions, reflecting the diversity of Life Skills employed in the twenty-first century and a glimpse of future vibrancy.
Parenting 2.0 recognises that life skills – from emotional regulation to effective communication – are just as essential as academic learning. As the creators of Reconnect & Regulate, our work focuses on helping individuals, families and communities recognise, understand and heal from trauma, build resilience and foster deeper connections.
Person-Centred Support
Supporting Your Journey with Knowledge and Care
Person-Centred Therapy
Taking the step to seek support is courageous. Our person‑centred, trauma‑informed approach offers a safe, confidential space to explore thoughts and emotions at your own pace.
Your first session is a chance to meet your counsellor, ask questions, and gently assess how we can best support your needs.
We believe in holistic wellbeing and provide practical tools for managing emotions, including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)—a gentle, non‑invasive method many find helpful in releasing stress and restoring balance.
Please note, our services are not suitable for immediate crisis situations. If you or someone you know is in danger or needs urgent help, contact emergency services or Samaritans. You are not alone, and help is available.
S.T.A.N.D - Stop, Think, Act, Never Doubt
STAND serves as a powerful mnemonic in the recovery process, helping individuals regain awareness and control. Between a trigger and our response lies a crucial space—one where choice, reflection, and empowerment exist. Learning to recognize this gap allows you to step into your strength, respond with clarity, and reclaim your personal power.
STAND -Parents as Protectors
Trauma can deeply affect confidence and hinder healing. STAND supports individuals in rebuilding trust, recognising inner strength, and moving forward with resilience.
In a world where manipulation, exploitation, abuse, and coercive control threaten children and adults, awareness is vital. This workshop helps participants spot warning signs, understand harmful dynamics, and take informed steps to protect themselves and others.
At its core, STAND affirms that influence can be rooted in either manipulation or inspiration. By fostering knowledge, self‑awareness, and practical strategies, the program empowers families to choose inspiration‑driven protection—keeping children safe, informed, and resilient.
Lived Experience Insight
"People only seriously consider change when they feel accepted for exactly who they are." – Carl Rogers
Our Approach to Healing
We recognise the vital role of lived experience in healing. By drawing on personal knowledge and resilience, we help individuals cope with and recover from trauma.
"We cannot avoid trauma; suffering is part of the human condition. If we try to deny it, we create more suffering." – Dr. Peter Levine
Our empathetic team of Lived Experience Practitioners—“wounded healers”—bring both expertise and compassion. With ongoing professional development, we remain committed to supporting people holistically on their journey of self‑discovery and recovery.
Our Professional Memberships
We are proud to be members of trusted organisations that reflect our commitment to ethical practice, child protection, and social impact.
These memberships help ensure our work remains rooted in professional standards and values.
