Practicum Students at APS CIC
Bridging the Gap between Education and Lived Experience
Practicum Students
We champion the creation of safe, non-judgmental, trauma-informed environments that ensure individuals are acknowledged and understood, which we consider a vital part of the healing journey.
To nurture the upcoming cadre of trauma-informed therapists, we provide counselling practicum placements for students eager to acquire significant experience and insights. As a certified Practicum site, we take professional responsibility for our students, offering continuous support, routine evaluations of their clinical skills, and weekly face-to-face consultations.
We work in tandem with our students to design sessions, matching them with clients that suit their current level of proficiency.
The practicum experience at A Positive Start is designed with considerable flexibility and independence, equipping you for your future role as a counsellor.
To provide the highest level of support for our students and clients, we limit the number of student places available.
Should you have any further questions, please contact us at info@apositivestart.org.uk or via our contact page, alternatively you can submit an application using the webform below and we will be in touch.
Unlock your potential with our Student Membership!
Enjoy exclusive access to our Trauma- Informed TRUST online course, designed to deepen your understanding and practical skills in trauma-sensitive practices.
Benefit from CPD opportunities, workshops and a wealth of resources to support your studies and professional growth. Stay inspired with our insightful blog posts and up-to date information specifically curated for practicum students.
Plus, receive ongoing guidance and support to help you navigate your education journey and prepare for a meaningful career in therapy.
Join today and take the first step toward becoming a well-informed, compassionate professional!
Student Membership starts from as little as £59 per annum
This is an annual membership that can be renewed each year for as long as you are a student
Your membership comes with a welcome pack including welcome letter, worksheets, presentations, blog posts & 50% discount off our CPD accredited Trauma Informed TRUST course, with lived experience insight and CPD hours.
You benefit from regular updates and additions to our a library of CPD online workshops and resources and have access to support and guidance from qualified professionals, along with up-to date information about practicum placements, supervision, insurance + much, much more..
If for any reason you decide you want to cancel your membership, you are free to do so at anytime by giving 1 months notice by email to admin@apositivestart.org.uk. (Please note: No Refunds are given.)
Become a student member using the link opposite and providing the required details
Guiding Students to Thrive in Their Own Way
Lived Experience Practitioners
A Positive Start CIC provides both in-person and remote placements for trainee counsellors and psychotherapists dedicated to offering mental health support within the community.
We particularly welcome students whose own lived experiences have drawn them to the profession.
We encourage students to be enrolled in an accredited program such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BABCP, or BPS.
We also support lived experience students who have completed a minimum Level 4 counselling diploma with the Blackford Centre for Counselling.
A Positive Start CIC, a trauma-informed, person-centred organisation, attracts numerous applications each month from aspiring counsellors.
We strongly recommend becoming a member to access CPD, training sessions, workshops, and blogs to enhance your chances of securing a placement. The APS CIC applications team values an understanding of trauma and dysregulation, empathy, compassion, personal self-awareness, and cultural humility in applicants.
Our CPD accredited trauma-informed TRUST program, a requirement for all students, is specially designed to enhance the skills of trainees and improve their chances of a successful application and placement with us.
"What might appear as attention-seeking behaviour from a calm, safe & secure perspective is often, from a fear driven state, actually connecting seeking"
— Deborah J Crozier, Founder & Managing Director
Counselling
FT Employment & Self-Employment
Name Your Price - £100 | £70 | £50 | £40 | £30 | £25
Therapy By Donation
We are dedicated to providing outstanding, trauma informed services at reasonable prices. With our 'Name Your Price' feature, we trust you to pay what you believe is fair and within your means.
- Professional Person-Centred Support
- Free Initial Assessment (50 mins)
- Therapy Session (60 mins)
- Face to Face or Online Available
- Telephone Consultation Available
- Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly Sessions
Low/No Income | Receiving Benefits/Pension
Name Your Price - £25 | £20 | £15 | £12 | £10 | £5
Therapy By Donation
As a Trauma-Informed, organisation, we do not conduct means testing or require proof of income. Our services are founded on mutual trust and respect. We provide a 'Name Your Price' option, allowing you to pay what you can afford.
- Professional Person-Centred Support
- Free Initial Assessment (50 mins)
- Therapy Session (60 mins)
- Face to Face or Online
- Telephone Consultation Available
- Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly
Therapy Room Hire
Permanently Low Prices
Our cosy, private therapy room is available for hire by organizations, services, and therapists serving clients in the local community who require a confidential and secure space. The room can be booked for one-time or regular use, strictly by prior reservation.
- Confidential, Safe Space
- Trauma Informed Environment
- Comfortable, Clean & Warm
- Close to Common Haugh Car Park
- Refreshments & Facilities
- up-to 45 mins - £25.00
- up-to 60 mins - £30.00
- up-to 90 mins - £40.00
Person-Centred Counselling
Life often propels us into challenging situations without warning, leaving us feeling swamped, unprepared, and at a loss for how to manage.
Sometimes the reason is obvious, like the loss of a loved one, relationship difficulties, sickness, job-related stress, or intense public scrutiny. At other times, the cause might be less obvious, or it may seem as though a multitude of minor issues are piling up simultaneously.
The Covid pandemic has been an especially distressing event for many, causing significant uncertainty about health, employment, education, and the hardship of extended isolation from family and friends.
Such distressing events can impact our nervous system, and although we may feel stress, anxiety, panic, restlessness, or a sense of being swamped, we may not fully grasp what’s occurring within us, which can exacerbate stress and fear. In these instances, it’s beneficial to seek professional help to understand our experiences.
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that counselling can effectively enhance our circumstances.
What to expect from Counselling?
Sessions are collaborative, involving meeting, talking, and listening with the joint aim of attentively addressing your concerns and deepening the understanding of your unique circumstances. This shared journey flourishes in a secure and reliable setting. Each session lasts 60 minutes and can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to best accommodate your needs.
In these sessions, we proceed with care and respect, safeguarding your privacy, self-governance, and independence, as well as your right and capacity to make personal choices. The therapeutic relationship provides a space to explore your physical and emotional experiences, your thoughts and actions, and the situations in which they occur..
