The START team are all committed to providing a quality service to all those we see from the office team through to the the highly qualified counsellors many of whom have years of experience in counselling victims and survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence. They have all undergone specialist training and continue to update their knowledge and practices, and some have specialist qualifications and are working towards higher counselling qualifications. Many of the team at START are survivors themselves.
Steve manages START services. Steve joined START in 2015 having worked for many years in Child Protection and working with Vulnerable Adults.
As a survivor himself he is aware of the issues and the importance of promoting and providing good quality counselling as part of the healing process.
Emma joined START in April 2023 and is our Clinical Lead.
She has been counsellor and supervisor for many years both in private practice and in organisations including Hampshire Police, University of Southampton and Victim Support.
Rhi joined START November 2021, she works in Admin at START.
She’s working here while she studies counselling and likes to write fiction in her spare time.
Kate joined START in November 2021, she works in Admin at START.
Kate has a PhD in Psychology Research and helps us with data and research. She is currently studying Counselling.
Sharon joined START in April 2021. She qualified in Humanistic Integrative Counselling in 2000 and has worked ever since in the area of rape & sexual abuse, initially working for South London RASAC and then more recently for BRASACC.
She is currently our LOTUS Coordinator.
Andy has been with START since 2014 providing specialist counselling for many adult survivors.
Andy is one of our valued male counsellors. Andy previously worked as a counsellor at the local University dealing with student related welfare issues.
Jim is one of the START assessors and supervisors as well as an adult counsellor and volunteers two days a week at START.
Jim previously worked as a teacher and also ran a walking adventure holidays.
Stephanie joined START in November 2019. She is a Qualified Humanistic Integrative Counsellor with a background in mental health and trauma settings.
Having previously provided counselling in another crisis centre and forensic settings she has now joined the START team. Stephanie is also furthering her studies working towards a BSc Hons in Psychology & Child Development.
Marion joined START in August 2020. She is a qualified humanistic integrative counsellor.
She has worked with Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service and has worked extensively with young people.
Sarah joined START in December 2020, she has an MA in counselling and Psychotherapy, and is an accredited counsellor, with over 16 years counselling experience.
Sarah has counselled both adults and young people, working in schools, colleges, Wellbeing Centers and for the NHS.
Nicky joined START in March 2021, she qualified as a humanistic counsellor in 2014.
She has since provided counselling to young people and adults in a variety of settings.
Sara joined START in April 2021, and has been a counsellor since 2006. She has an Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative).
She became an accredited counsellor with the BACP in 2015 and also became a qualified counselling supervisor in 2016. She is also a trained Hypnotherapist.
She works mainly with adults and young people and has worked a for many years in the field of rape and sexual abuse.
Nicola joined START in March 2021.
She has a Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis, as well as a Certificate in Trauma. She has worked in bereavement and addiction.
Emily joined START in December 2021, she has a foundation degree in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis.
She has a certificate in working with children and young people. Additionally, and works with adult survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Anita joined START in December 2021, she is personally and professionally invested in collective liberation from Trauma.
She believes you deserve peace, pleasure in all you do, your relationships, especially the one you have with yourself. You may not believe that yet or maybe you are working to affirm it as your truth, she is here to support you along the journey.
Jo joined START originally in 2017, she is a qualified person centred counsellor, with a background in mental health.
She supports Adult survivors in one to one sessions and is one of our Lotus project facilitators.
Summar rejoined START in February 2022, having previously worked with us back in 2020. She has a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy.
She has a wealth of experience working with young people, having worked at both No Limits and with CAMHS.
Janilce joined START in April 2022, she is a qualified counsellor with experience in supporting individuals with a range of personal or interpersonal problems.
She has a foundation degree in Humanistic Counselling, which focused on working within the Transactional Analysis approach. She actively attends further training to ensure that she continues to improve her counselling skills.
Wajda rejoined START in April 2022, having previously worked with us as our main service administrator. She is now a qualified counsellor trained in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis.
Wajda is a registered member of BACP (MBACP) and works full-time in her private practice based in West London working remotely and face to face. She is a multilingual counsellor and can offer sessions in English, Urdu, or Hindi.
Wajda has experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds. She says, ‘I use a humanistic approach to counselling using methods, activities, and interventions according to the needs of the client. I explore with my clients what they feel comfortable with and what can be beneficial to them. My sessions are co-created therapeutic spaces for my client. I encourage authenticity, empathy, integrity and respect towards self and others.’
Amanda joined START in 2017. Amanda has recently attained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling.
Amanda is an experienced counsellor and works with adult survivors twice a week in the daytime.
Bev joined START in May 2019 and will be working on our new STEPS support programme, she has been working as a rape crisis counsellor for the last three years.
Bev is has a qualified person centred counsellor and has recently attained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling.
Sandy joined START in October 2022 and is one of our virtual counselling team.
She is a qualified and humanistic counsellor with a special interest in working in the area of trauma and with transgender clients. She is a member of BAANT and an accredited member of NCS. She also speaks French.
Gemma joined START in November 2022.
She has a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has worked in various counselling settings and has a depth of experience working with young people and with trauma.
Harriet joined start in November 2022 and works with both adults and teenagers.
She is a member of the BACP and has a Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling, based around Transactional Analysis as well as Diploma in Counselling Adolescents.
Jenny joined START in November 2022 and is a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor registered with the BACP.
She is neurodivergent informed and friendly, trauma focused trained and has a certificate in working with young people.
Caroline joined START in January 2023. She is a BACP accredited counsellor with a Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis. Since qualifying in 2015, she has expanded her skills and experience through attending many different workshops and now works with a trauma informed approach.
Caroline has worked with clients in a variety of settings including a crisis centre and a university. She continues to work with students as well as supporting frontline workers.
Kara joined START in March 2023. She is a Humanistic therapist and registered member of the BACP with an additional Level 5 Diploma in counselling adolescents.
Kara previously worked with adults at Mind and with young people at a local college and charity. She runs a regular well-being support group with survivors of domestic abuse for a Surrey-based charity as well as her own Hampshire-based private practice where she provides counselling to both adults and young people.
Mark joined START in April 2023. He is an accredited Humanistic counsellor, specialising in substance misuse and families impacted by addiction.
Mark has a over decade of counselling experience and has worked extensively in health and social care. He currently leads the men’s counselling service for a local charity.
Caroline joined START in April 2023. She is a BACP registered counsellor with a Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis.
Caroline has experience working with both adults and young people. She currently volunteers for a charity offering counselling to women who have experienced domestic abuse or violence.
Emma joined START in January 2023 and works with both adults and teenagers. She is a BACP registered counsellor with a Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling, as well as a certificate in working with children and young people.
She has previously worked with Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service and the You Trust.
Donna joined START in May 2023 and is an experienced and trained trauma counsellor with many years of working in the area of sexual abuse and sexual trauma.
Donna provides online therapeutic support.
Call our Advice & Support Line on 01962 868 688 or 01962 864 433
Anonymous SMS Text helpline service: 07860 027 793
Available 24 hours
Testimonials
"I have gained a new understanding of what happened to me. I am feeling better and my thinking is more positive."
"I am now in control of my thoughts and my life. I have gained self-confidence in so many ways and I am no longer haunted by the past."
"I have been given the tools to cope with everyday life. Without counselling I would have continued to deny my situation and feelings which was having extreme detrimental effect on myself, family and friends… RASAC has saved me from self destruction without the support I would have crumbled – a true life saver."
"My RASAC counselling has completely changed my life… I am a better mother, a more involved member of the community and I am able to keep myself safe."
"I was counselled for almost a year. I had a wonderful counsellor who helped me through a very difficult and unpleasant time in my life. It has been a process of healing by revisiting past places which at one time felt unimaginable. The journey has been raw and unnerving but slowly I came to see how I was repairing my damaged self. I finally accepted ownership of what had happened to me and was able to let go of my guilt and shame. My counsellor understood my outlook on life and created a connection with me that was very special. I eventually looked forward to my session as a weekly debrief rather than a purge. I am as happy and confident as I have ever been and I tell people about what I have learnt to help turn their negativity into positivity. Fear can be a very powerful emotion and prevent us from moving on in our lives but once it is confronted the clouds separate and you can focus on that hint of sunshine."
"Thank-you for the support, for the first time since talking about the sexual abuse to someone it is really helping me."
"Thank you so much for all your time and support while I was working through all of the stuff that happened - I really couldn't have done it without your help and input." Male client - June 2021
"The support, understanding and guidance that I've received from START has been life-changing. The whole process has been crucial for me to understand some of the trauma I'd experienced during my childhood. Who I've become as a consequence, who I am today, and how I process some of my thoughts, feelings and emotions." - April 2023
"I cannot thank Sarah at START enough for the counselling I received. I was a bit sceptical of the EMDR therapy I was offered at first but it really has helped me a great deal and I'm grateful for having the opportunity to go through it." - April 2023
"I'd like to thank everyone involved at START. You're doing a phenomenal job. I can't stress how important this journey has been for me. It's been a life altering experience." - April 2023
