Welcome to Counselling & Psychotherapy

At A Positive Start CIC, we offer trauma-informed, person-centred counselling and psychotherapy for adults aged 18+.

We understand that reaching out for support can feel daunting — especially if you have previously felt unheard, judged, rushed, or misunderstood.

Our approach is gentle, collaborative, and paced around your nervous system, your needs, and your lived experience.

You do not need to be in crisis.

You do not need to have the right words.

You do not need to know exactly what is wrong.

You are welcome exactly as you are.

Our Approach

All of our work is grounded in a trauma-informed, person-centred approach.

This means:

We recognise that life experiences — particularly overwhelming or unsafe ones — can shape how the body, mind, and emotions respond.
We prioritise emotional and relational safety.
We work at your pace, without pressure to disclose or explain more than feels comfortable.
We do not diagnose or label — we listen, reflect, and support understanding.
We see you as the expert in your own life.

Therapy is not about fixing you.

It is about creating the conditions where understanding, choice, and self-connection can grow.

Who We Work With

We offer counselling and psychotherapy for:

Adults aged 18+
Individuals
Couples

People come to us for many different reasons, including:

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low, or stuck
Relationship difficulties or patterns that feel hard to shift
The impact of past or ongoing trauma
Emotional regulation and nervous system overwhelm
Life transitions, loss, or identity changes
Wanting space to understand yourself more deeply

You do not need to arrive with a clear “issue”.

Curiosity and a wish for support are enough.

Individual Counselling

Individual counselling provides a confidential and supportive space where you can explore:

thoughts, feelings, and bodily responses
patterns in relationships or coping
past experiences and how they may still show up in the present
what you need now to feel more grounded and resourced

Sessions are shaped around you.

There is no agenda and no expectation to perform in therapy.

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling offers a space to slow things down and explore:

communication difficulties
cycles of conflict or withdrawal
emotional safety and trust
the impact of stress, trauma, or life pressures on the relationship

We work in a non-blaming and balanced way, supporting each person’s experience while helping couples understand patterns rather than assigning fault.

Working With a Student Counsellor

Some clients choose to work with a student counsellor as part of their counselling journey.

A Positive Start CIC is an approved practicum placement site for several universities and colleges, meaning counselling students complete part of their professional training with us while gaining the supervised client hours required to qualify.

Our student counsellors are in the final stage of their HND counselling training, working towards professional registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Carefully Selected

We take great care in selecting the students who train with us. They are chosen not only for their academic progress but also for their personal qualities, integrity, and commitment to supporting others.

Many bring life experience and previous employment in caring or supportive professions, which enriches their ability to offer compassionate and thoughtful support.

Supervised and Supported

Student counsellors do not work independently.

They receive:

Regular internal supervision within A Positive Start CIC
External supervision through their university or college training programme
Ongoing guidance to ensure their work meets professional and ethical standards

This ensures that clients receive safe, supported, and high-quality counselling.

Availability

Student counselling is sometimes offered when:

a client’s needs and presentation are suitable
a placement counsellor has availability

This is often provided in an initial block of sessions which is then reviewed together.

Donations may be optional depending on the arrangement.

This option can be discussed during your initial conversation.

How to Access Therapy

We aim to make accessing support as clear and gentle as possible.

Rather than repeating practical details here, you can find information about:

how to self-refer
what happens first
how sessions are arranged
how fees work
cancellation information

on our Counselling Pathway page.

This step-by-step guide explains the process in plain language, with particular care around choice, transparency, and financial clarity.

Fees & Accessibility

We are committed to making counselling as accessible as possible.

We offer:

a sliding-scale fee structure
transparency around costs
no means testing
the option to review fees if circumstances change

Full details are available on the Counselling Pathway page.

A Final Word

Therapy is a relationship — not a transaction.

Whether you are ready to begin, gathering information, or simply exploring what feels right for you, you are welcome to take your time.

If you are unsure, the free initial conversation is there to help you decide — with no pressure to continue.

How to Access Therapy