Welcome to A Positive Start CIC · Scottish Borders
Understanding experiences.
Building connection.
Supporting positive change.
Person-centred, trauma-informed and trauma-proactive counselling, emotional wellbeing, education and prevention.
We bring together professional knowledge, lived experience and genuine human connection. We offer a place to feel heard, make sense of experiences and explore a way forward — at your own pace.
Looking for counselling? Talk to our team
Book pre-order offer · Ends 30 October 2026
The Lived Experience of Complex Trauma
By Deborah J Crozier · A thoughtful exploration of lived experience, trauma, relationships, survival responses and the power of compassionate understanding.
Pre-order for £18.99 + P&P until 30 October 2026.
From 31 October 2026: £24.99 + P&P.
+ postage & packaging
Pre-order your copy →copies pre-ordered
Towards a goal of 100
About us
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.
Call: 07947 767753 Email: info@apositivestart.org.uk
Current support includes professional counselling and CBT, couples support, online and face-to-face options, supervised student counsellor placements, and funded community programmes where eligible places are available.
Our approach
Trauma-informed & trauma-proactive principles
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
Congruence, Unconditional Positive Regard and Empathic Understanding.
TRUST Framework
Trigger recognition, Reassurance, Understanding, Safety and Truth.
We believe healing begins within, grows through connection, and leads to lasting change.
Emotional literacy
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.
Learn more about Parenting 2.0 →
Specialist support
Pregnancy, infant loss & infertility support
Specialist, trauma-informed support from an Accredited Foundation for Infant Loss Training Practitioner.
Explore specialist support →Specialist training & recognition
Our pregnancy, infant loss and infertility support recognises the sensitivity of experiences of pregnancy loss, infant loss, fertility challenges and associated grief. We offer a compassionate space to be heard, without assumptions or pressure.
Our professional connections
Professional training, memberships, partnerships & networks
We are proud to work alongside professional bodies, training providers and community networks that share our commitment to ethical, person-centred and trauma-informed practice.
Explore the organisations supporting our work through the rotating gallery below, followed by our Practicum Student Placements information.
Ways we can help
How we can support you
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.
Supporting safety before crisis
Through STAND – Parents as Protectors, My Body Is My Body, the River Room Songbook and preventative work, we support children, families and communities to build awareness, emotional literacy, safety and connection.
Understanding through experience
Lived experience is an important part of who we are. Together with professional training and reflective practice, it brings depth, compassion and understanding. We recognise survival responses as meaningful adaptations and support people to reconnect with their strengths, choices and sense of self.
Community provision
Current funded support
We deliver different funded projects with their own eligibility requirements, referral routes and available places.
Whole Family Support Fund
Adult therapeutic support and family wellbeing resources through professional referral.
Early Intervention & Family Recovery
Six-week group programmes supported by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs.
Corra-funded counselling
Funded six-session counselling blocks for adults receiving benefits who could not otherwise afford counselling.
Survivors Speakers Corner
A weekly supportive community group for women, with connection, creative expression and opportunities to challenge harmful narratives.
Help us keep this work accessible
As a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, donations help us meet the everyday costs of providing counselling, emotional wellbeing support, education and community programmes.
Support A Positive Start CIC →Training · Education · Consultancy
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.
View our Training & Consultancy menu for current course dates, booking information and learning opportunities.
We're here to listen
Ready to take the next step?
Whether 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.
Contact us → Request an initial consultation →