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Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

Advice & Support Line
01962 868 688
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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.

START Manager

Steve

Steve

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.

START Clinical Lead

Emma

Emma

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.

START Administrators

Rhi

Rhi

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

Kate

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.

LOTUS Coordinator

Sharon

Sharon

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.

Counselling Team

Andy

Andy

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

Jim

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

Stephanie

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

Marion

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

Sarah

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

Nicky

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

Sara

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

Nicola

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

Emily

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

Anita

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

Jo

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

Summar

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

Janilce

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 Tabassum

Wajda Tabassum

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

Amanda

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

Bev

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.

Gemma

Gemma

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

Harriet

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

Jenny

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

Caroline

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

Kara

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

Mark

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 H

Caroline H

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

Emma

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

Donna

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.

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