Person-Centred, Trauma-Informed Support in the Scottish Borders
Counselling • Emotional Wellbeing • Lived Experience • Education • Prevention
Supporting people to understand their experiences, reconnect with themselves and find a way forward - through professional knowledge, lived experience and genuine human connection.
We offer professional, person-centred and trauma-informed counselling and CBT, face-to-face or online. Individual counselling is £55 per session and couples counselling is £70. We also offer reduced-cost online counselling with supervised student counsellors and, when funding is available, fully funded community support.
About A Positive Start CIC
Person-Centred, Trauma-Informed Support for Healing, Growth and connection
A Positive Start CIC is a not-for-profit emotional health and wellbeing organisation based in the Scottish Borders.
We support individuals, couples, families, professionals and communities through counselling, education, prevention, early intervention and trauma-informed approaches.
Our work brings together professional knowledge and lived experience. We understand that emotional, behavioural and coping responses often make sense when we understand what a person has lived through.
Rather than asking only ” What’s wrong with you?”, we are interested in “What happened to you?” – and importantly, “What do you need now?”
We believe meaningful change begins with safety, understanding, connection and being genuinely heard.
Image: Cold Water Swimming. Tibbie Shiel’s Inn, St Mary’s Loch, Scottish Borders
Our Trauma-Informed & Trauma-Proactive Principles
At A Positive Start CIC, we work in trauma-informed, trauma-curious and trauma-proactive ways.
Trauma-proactive, a term developed by Florence Koenderink (Beyond the Trauma Wall), describes approaches that aim to prevent harm by creating safety before harm or crisis occurs, rather than waiting until someone is struggling and then responding.
For us, this means creating environments, relationships, and ways of working that support safety, connection, choice and nervous-system regulation from the outset.
Safety comes first
Emotional, relational and nervous-system safety matter.
Curiosity over judgement
We ask what someone has experienced, rather than what is “wrong” with them.
People are not broken
Trauma responses can be adaptive ways of surviving overwhelming experiences.
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 recognise strengths, resources and resilience - not only difficulties.
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 Emotional Literacy & Life Skills
As a Global Presence Ambassador for Parenting 2.0, we champion the understanding that emotional and relational life skills are every bit as important as academic learning.
Through our work, including Reconnect & Regulate, we support people to develop greater emotional awareness, regulation, communication and connection – skills that can strengthen individuals, families and communities throughout life.
Professional Memberships, Partnerships & Networks
We are proud to work alongside and connect with professional bodies, training providers and community networks that share our commitment to ethical, person-centred and trauma-informed practice.
How We Can Support You
COUNSELLING & THERAPY
Person-Centred Counselling
A safe, confidential space to explore your experiences at your own pace. We offer person-centred counselling and CBT for individuals, alongside couples counselling, face-to-face and online.
CHILDREN, FAMILIES & PREVENTION
Supporting Safety Before Crisis
Through STAND - Parents as Protectors, My Body is My Body, The River Room Songbook and our preventative work, we support children, families and communities to build awareness, emotional literacy, safety and connection.
LIVED EXPERIENCE & RECOVERY
Understanding Through Experience
Lived experience is an important part of who we are. Alongside professional training and reflective practice, it brings depth, compassion and understanding to the way we support people.
We recognise survival responses as meaningful adaptations to experience and work alongside people to reconnect with their strengths, choices and sense of self.
Courses & Workshops
Practical, trauma-informed learning grounded in professional knowledge and lived experience. Our training supports individuals, families, practitioners and organisations to build understanding, strengthen relationships and create safer environments.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Where you're looking for counselling, support for your family, training for your organisation, or simply want to find out more, we'd be happy to hear from you.