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’ve felt unheard, judged, rushed, or overwhelmed in the past. Our approach is gentle, collaborative, and paced around your nervous system, your needs, and your lived experience.
You don’t need to be in crisis.
You don’t need to “right words”.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong.
You’re 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 experiences – especially overwhelming or unsafe ones – 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 don’t 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’s 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 (but not limited to):
- 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 don’t need to have a clear ‘issue’ to begin – curiosity and a wish for support are enough.
Individual counselling
Individual counselling offers a confidential, supportive space where you can explore:
- thoughts, feelings and bodily responses
- patterns in relationships or coping
- past experiences and how they still show up
- what you need now to feel more grounded and resourced
Sessions are tailored to 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 way that is non-blaming, supportive of each person’s experience, and focused on understanding patterns rather than assigning fault.
Student counselling (limited availability)
We also offer Free counselling with student counsellors in some circumstances.
Student counselling:
- if offered where needs and presentation are suitable
- is usually provided in an initial block of 12 sessions, then reviewed
- is supported and supervised
- includes the same values of safety, respect, and care
- donations are optional
Availability is limited and discussed during the 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:
- how to self-refer
- what happens first
- how sessions are arranged
- how fees work
- cancellation information
on our Counselling Pathway page by clicking the button below.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process in plain language, with particular care around money and choice.
Fees & accessibility
We are committed to making counselling as accessible as possible.
We offer:
- a sliding-scale fee structure
- choice and 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’re looking for support now, gathering information, or simply exploring what feels right, you’re welcome to take your time.
If you’re unsure, the free initial conversation is there to help you decide – with no pressure to continue.