Deborah J Crozier

I am Deborah Crozier, a person-centred counsellor and a Chartered Fellow member of the Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists, and Hypnotherapists (CFACCPH). Founder and project lead at A Positive Start CIC (APS CIC)

since 2008, which starting out as a trauma-informed prevention training program, evolving into a Community Interest Company in Hawick in 2017. My passion for learning is ongoing; I am currently pursuing a postgraduate master’s degree in contemporary drug and alcohol studies at UWS. I hold an Enhanced DBS and Child & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Certificates. I enjoy creating and delivering trauma informed workshops both live and online; CPD accredited by the EFT & Mindfulness Centre.In my spare time I am preparing to release my first book ‘When I’m Gone’. This book delves into the experiences and aftermath of non-fatal strangulation in domestic violence settings and the subsequent healing journey. It will be available from November 2024 on our Lived Learning website.  Learning is accessible to all who are curious and seeking answers, so please don’t be deceived by the illusion of intelligence, instead remember, realise that you are the expert on your own life; you know your feelings, what works for you, and what doesn’t. Learning gives us all a deeper understanding, and for my team at APS and myself, it’s crucial in continuously improving the services we provide to our community. We strongly encourage and support your curiosity about your mental health and well-being, aiding you on your journey to self-discovery. There is ample research available to support recovery. I highly recommend Dr. Dan Siegel’s comprehensive work on Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) available online through the Mindsight Institute, Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, and Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing and Trauma Recovery. For those who prefer reading, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ is an excellent starting point. The latest advancements in trauma knowledge are promising and offer substantial progress for individuals dealing with trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Response.