Healing for the Mind, Body & Soul
A Positive Start CIC (APS CIC) is a holistic emotional health and wellbeing, asset locked community interest company based in Hawick in the Scottish Borders.
We provide professional person-centred counselling and holistic therapy, working face to face, both on a one to one and peer group basis with adults, helping them to recognise, cope and heal from the negative impacts of trauma including; Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), abusive and toxic relationships, divorce, separation, poverty and unemployment, mental and physical health issues, inequality, discrimination, care-experience, exclusion and isolation.
We advocate for a trauma informed society recognising recovery to be a two way street. We deliver CPD accredited training applied trauma informed training. For members, we offer a wide of products, materials & workshops available to buy – mostly by donation, from our Lived Learning store. To access our products & materials, please register an account on the home page, membership is free.
Promoting self-care and self-advocacy, we recognise our clients as the experts in their lives, encouraging them to become curious about their suffering. We help individuals to understand trauma and the impact of trauma, and support them to bring into awareness how trauma influences their lives and relationships.
We are guided by Carl Rogers intended person-centred approach to healing, based on compassion, empathy, congruence and love. We offer a safe, non-judgement confidential space where clients are seen and heard.
Contact us for details about our trauma informed training and workshops intended for organisations, businesses, services, and individuals and support our aim of a safer, healthier more compassionate, trauma informed society.
Student Feedback:
“I found this course incredibly informative. The course content was very thought provoking with clear and concise use of language. I would recommend this course to anybody who wants to learn more about trauma and those who are supporting people through it. Learning about Trauma from a trainer who is sharing their lived experience sends a clear, important message that it is ok to be vulnerable and that we can recover from traumatic experiences and have compassion and empathy for ourselves and others.”
Experts by experience and learning; Lived Experience Practitioners (LEPs) are an integral part of our organisation. Through the appropriate sharing of wisdom from their own experiences, they inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others LEPs provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to people using our services in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery journey.
Within a person-centred relationship of mutuality and information sharing, LEPs promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
Client Feedback:
“We all have a story. A line of events that have shaped our personality, our point of view, the way we perceive the world and how we treat others. Life is full of cruelty, injustice and violence that affects everyone more or less, but if affects us and leaves its mark. Having a place of comfort, a person like my therapist offers a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Read More
At APS CIC our values are at the heart of everything we do, we are a people first, person-centred organisation.
Person-Centred Counselling
Dealing with life's challenges through understanding and empowerment
Counselling & Therapy
Person-centred counselling offers the opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space. The first appointment is an initial assessment and an opportunity to meet the person you will be working with and who will be supporting your journey. The initial appointment is time to ask questions and discuss whether you feel the service we offer is what you are looking for.
We have lots of tools and holistic approaches available that are considered to be helpful in regulating emotions. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a safe, gentle non-invasive therapy that is available for anyone who wants to try it.
Please note: Our services are unsuitable for anyone who is in crisis. If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger - don't use this site. Call the Samaritans who can provide you with immediate help.
S.T.A.N.D - Stop, Think, Act, Never Doubt
We use the acronym STAND as an aide memoir during recovery. Between the Trigger and our Response to it, there is a gap. We can help you how learn how to recognise this space and STAND in your power
Grooming Behaviours
CPD Certified e-Learning for Instructors, Trainers, Organisations for the purpose of further professional growth.
Developed in the face of growing recognition that children and adults can become victims of behaviours that can lead to the Manipulation, Exploitation, Abuse and Coercive Control, from others who seek to gain from their misery.
Understanding how this happens is crucial if we want to prevent it.
"There are only two ways to influence human behaviour - you can choose to manipulate or inspire!"
Lived Experience Insight
"Experience is, for me, the highest authority" Carl Rogers
Lived Experience
We help people to recognise, cope and heal emotionally from the impact of trauma.
"We cannot avoid trauma, suffering is part of the human condition. If we try to deny it, we create more suffering. If we try to avoid painful experiences, we create more pain"
- Dr. Peter Levine
Combined, our small empathic team of lived experienced practitioners or the wounded healers -the preferred term, have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Continued professional development is an essential part of our business and growth. We are passionate about supporting people holistically on a compassionate journey of self-discovery for recovery.
Evidence- Based Practice
We use a combination of lived experience and evidence-based practice to inform our decision-making.
Lived Experience provides a depth of feeling to our understanding, while Evidence Based Practice, achieved through critical thinking and drawing on the best available evidence, ensures the services we provide have the greatest chance of success.
As individuals we experience life differently, it does not follow that a similar experience will result in the same outcome. Accumulating the experiences of many people generally more accurate.
As practitioners we are consistently learning and developing using information gained by listening to peoples firsthand experiences, reading the latest scientific literature and undergoing continued personal development.
Training & Development
Combined lived experience and the latest scientific literature we create innovative training courses, Workshops and Webinars covering a wide ranged of topics that we are passionate about.
Trauma Informed TRUST with Lived Experience Insight is a 3 day live workshop for adults who work with survivors of trauma and are interested in learning more trauma and the impact it has on individuals, relationships, children and communities.
CPD accredited by the EFT & Mindfulness Centre.
Holistic Therapies & Spiritual Wellbeing
Spiritual wellness does not mean that you need to become religious, although the two often have overlapping practices and principles. Rather, your spiritual health should focus on how you are connecting with your inner soul and the greater world around you.
Ways you can support your spiritual health:
Spend time in nature, Practice Mindfulness, and spend a few minutes each day meditating, and
if you are religious, take the time to practice your faith.
Holistic health is often defined as a form of healing that looks at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
Together with our associates, we are able to offer a wide range of holistic therapies, including creative art with the attentive artist, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and coaching sessions.
Latest Workshops
