Holistic Healing-Mind, Body, Soul
Person-Centred, Trauma-Informed Support for Healing and Growth across the Lifespan
A Positive Start CIC (APS CIC) is a trauma-informed emotional health and wellbeing organisation supporting individuals, families, professionals, and communities through relational, educational, preventative, and early-intervention approaches to healing and human connection.
Our work is rooted in the understanding that many emotional, behavioural, relational, and coping responses make sense in the context of lived experience. Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?”, we explore “What happened to you?” — recognising how adversity, stress, trauma, shame, relationships, and nervous system adaptation shape how people think, feel, behave, connect, and survive across generations.
We believe healing begins with understanding, safety, emotional regulation, compassionate relationships, and the gradual journey back to self.
Our integrated pathways include:
• Person-centred counselling and psychotherapy
• Trauma-informed workshops and psychoeducation
• Reconnect & Regulate emotional regulation programmes
• STAND safeguarding and prevention training
• TRUST relational safety framework
• RAPPORT self-awareness and compassionate self-understanding
• RESTORE integration and reconnection following trauma and overwhelm
• Family support and reunification work
• Children and young people’s emotional literacy programmes
• Holistic therapy, coaching, consultancy, and professional training
• Student placements and trauma-informed practitioner development
Together, these services provide connected pathways for understanding, healing, regulation, prevention, relational safety, integration, and growth.
Image: Cold Water Swimming. Tibbie Shiel’s Inn, St Mary’s Loch, Scottish Borders
Looking for counselling support?
We offer community-supported therapy sessions to help keep support accessible across the community. While our standard fee is £55 per session, reduced minimum contributions are available for those on low and no income, supported by others who are able to pay the full rate.
Our Trauma-Informed & Trauma-Proactive Principles
At A Positive Start CIC, we work in trauma-informed, trauma-curious and trauma-proactive ways. The term trauma-proactive, developed by Florence Koenderink (Beyond the Trauma Wall), describes approaches that aim to prevent harm by creating safer systems, relationships and environments — not only responding after difficulties arise.
For us, trauma-proactive practice means supporting safety, connection and nervous system awareness before a crisis occurs. Our work is guided by these principles:
Safety comes first
emotional and nervous system safety matter.
Curiosity over judgement
we ask what someone has experienced, not what is “wrong” with them.
People are not broken
trauma responses are adaptive survival strategies, not disorders.
Relationship heals
genuine connection creates change.
Regulation before reasoning
calm comes before clarity.
Choice and consent matter
healing happens at the person’s pace.
Environment shapes wellbeing
spaces, language and tone matter.
Strengths are amplified
we focus on resilience, not deficits.
Lived experience is valued
wisdom comes from real life, not just theory.
Compassion with boundaries
kindness and safety go hand in hand.
Person-centred CUE
we practice Congruence (authenticity), Unconditional Positive Regard and Empathic Understanding in every relationship.
TRUST Framework
we respond to distress through Trigger recognition, Reassurance, Understanding, Safety and Truth.
We believe healing begins within, grows through connection, and leads to lasting change.
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.
Memberships and Placement Partners
We work in partnership with trusted organisations and training providers who share our commitment to ethical practice, trauma-informed care and positive community impact.
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 lived experience can play in healing. When personal insight is combined with reflection, training, and support, it can help create spaces where people feel understood, less alone, and more able to reconnect with their own strengths.
As Peter Levine reminds us:
“We cannot avoid trauma; suffering is part of the human condition. If we try to deny it, we create more suffering.”
Our empathetic team of lived experience practitioners — sometimes described as wounded healers — bring both understanding and compassion to their work. Alongside ongoing professional development and supervision, they support people in ways that honour the connection between personal experience, resilience, and recovery.
Working alongside qualified therapists and student counsellors on supervised placements, they contribute to a holistic, person-centred approach that supports individuals on their journey of self-discovery, regulation, and healing.