Sarah is the Company Director and a Psychodynamic Counsellor at New Start. She founded the service in September 2016, following eleven years of experience working within schools and a local hospice.
Sarah is deeply passionate about building a strong, compassionate, and happy team of counsellors, while ensuring that children, young people, and adults receive the highest standard of care and support. Her vision has always been to create a counselling service she would feel confident and comfortable offering to her own two sons.
At the heart of New Start are the values Sarah believes matter most: no waiting lists, clear and open communication, understanding, compassion, respect, and above all, genuine care.
Outside of her work, Sarah is a proud mum to two lovely sons and shares her life with lots of cats and dogs, alongside a wonderfully supportive family and friends. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, walking, reading, quiet moments and dancing! While she often says she’s going to go to the gym, she admits this rarely happens! Sarah has a strong dislike for bullying, unkindness, and snakes.
Lucy is the Business Manager at New Start and plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the service. She holds a Foundation Degree in Business Management and is nearing completion of her BA (Hons) in Business Management. With strong project management experience and a highly organised approach, Lucy works behind the scenes to ensure the team can focus on providing exceptional support to children, young people, adults, and families.
Lucy is passionate about creating efficient systems and processes that help New Start run smoothly. Her attention to detail, commitment to high standards and supportive approach help ensure that both clients and staff experience a welcoming and well organised service.
Lucy’s goal is to continue developing her skills and knowledge while supporting the growth of New Start. She is committed to helping the organisation maintain the high levels of care and communication.
Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time with her family, reading and going on long runs! She also loves relaxing at home with her cat, Eddie, and her kitten, Kiwi, who keep life entertaining. She has a strong dislike for disorganisation and values structure, efficiency, and attention to detail in both her personal and professional life.
Brenda is an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist at New Start and has been part of the service for over three years. She began her journey into counselling more than eight years ago and brings a thoughtful, compassionate, and client-centred approach to her work. Brenda is currently working towards her professional accreditation and is deeply committed to her ongoing development as a practitioner, with the future goal of training as an EMDR therapist.
As an integrative counsellor, Brenda draws on a range of therapeutic approaches including Person-Centred Therapy, CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Brief Therapy. This allows her to tailor her work to each individual, ensuring that every client receives support that reflects their unique needs and experiences. Brenda works with both children and adults, supporting clients from the age of 4 right through to later life.
Brenda is passionate about helping people reconnect with themselves and believes that, much like Lego pieces, we don’t always arrive as complete sets. At times we may feel scattered, broken, or missing parts, but with care, patience, and the right support, we can be gently helped to rebuild into something strong and whole again.
Outside of her counselling work, Brenda loves to travel and explore the world, especially alongside her husband, who she fondly describes as her holiday buddy. She is a proud mum to one son, who keeps her well informed about computer games and superheroes. Brenda enjoys spending time with friends and family but equally values quiet moments where she can curl up, relax, and watch a good movie.
She enjoys good food, camping and sleeping under the stars, self-care, and going to the gym. Brenda is not a fan of lateness, fish, or unkindness, and strongly believes in treating others with respect and compassion.
Abbi is a Person-Centred Counsellor at New Start, with specialist training in domestic abuse, bereavement, and eating disorders. She began her counselling journey in September 2016 and qualified in 2021 after completing five years of extensive training, exams, retreats, and in-house placement hours.
Abbi has experience working with both children and adults, supporting young people from the age of 4.5 through to 18, as well as adults. She works with a wide range of presenting issues, including mental health difficulties, sexuality, abuse, trauma, and eating disorders. Her approach is grounded in creating a safe, respectful space where individuals feel truly heard and understood.
Abbi is passionate about listening and believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard. She is deeply committed to supporting as many children, young people, and adults as possible, helping them feel supported throughout their therapeutic journey.
Abbi’s goal is to continue developing her professional skills by training in additional specialisms, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Alongside this, she remains dedicated to supporting people through compassion, care, and genuine understanding.
Outside of her counselling work, Abbi is a proud mum to two energetic boys. She is a keen football fan and supports Manchester United, spending lots of time attending matches and visiting Manchester. Abbi enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, and going out for meals. She values ongoing personal and professional development and regularly undertakes additional training to support her work with both adults and young people.
Abbi enjoys music, football, socialising, and live shows. She has a strong dislike for bullying and dishonesty and is guided by values of kindness, honesty, and respect.
Thea is a Counsellor at New Start and joined the service in 2024, alongside continuing her work within care settings supporting both adults and children with learning disabilities. Her experience in this field brings valuable insight, understanding, and compassion to her counselling work.
Thea is passionate about ensuring that every child and young person has access to counselling, regardless of their circumstances. She is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard, secure, and understood, and where their individual needs are respected.
Thea’s goal is to continue developing within the counselling profession while supporting her clients to work towards a more positive and fulfilling life. She believes in walking alongside clients at their own pace, offering encouragement, understanding, and consistency throughout their therapeutic journey.
Outside of her work at New Start, Thea enjoys travelling, going to the gym, and running long distances. She values spending time with friends and family, particularly with her three young nephews, who bring lots of joy and energy to her life.
Thea enjoys reading, running, keeping active at the gym, and exploring the world whenever possible. She has a strong dislike for lateness and for unkindness or a lack of understanding towards people with different and varied needs.
Carla is a Person-Centred Counsellor at New Start, with a strong background in education and supporting children and young people. She initially trained as a teacher and holds a BA (Hons) in Educational Studies. After many years of working with children, Carla decided to follow her passion for emotional wellbeing and retrained as a counsellor. She is now a qualified counsellor with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
Carla believes in the value of providing a safe, supportive, and therapeutic space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgement. Through her person-centred approach, she helps individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, supporting them to build confidence, develop self-awareness, and make positive changes in their lives.
Carla is passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and accepted. She is committed to building trusting therapeutic relationships that allow clients to explore challenges at their own pace and discover their own strengths and potential.
Outside of her counselling work, Carla enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her three children and two fluffy dogs. She loves reading, going for walks, and making the most of time spent outdoors with those closest to her.
Carla enjoys family time, reading, and walking. She has a strong dislike for animal cruelty and believes kindness, compassion, and respect should extend to all living beings.
Laura is an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist at New Start, holding a degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has a wealth of experience supporting both children and adults through a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, neglect, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and bereavement.
Laura is deeply passionate about supporting people and helping them feel truly heard and understood. Her work is grounded in a person-centred approach, which she thoughtfully integrates with creative therapy, play therapy, CBT, and DBT. This allows Laura to tailor her work to each client’s individual needs while offering a safe, welcoming, and supportive space where clients can feel at ease throughout their therapy journey.
Laura’s goal is to ensure that every client has a positive and empowering experience of therapy. She works collaboratively alongside clients to help them process life experiences, explore their feelings, and move forward in ways that feel meaningful and supportive. Laura is currently working towards BACP accreditation and is committed to ongoing professional development.
Outside of her counselling work, Laura enjoys spending quality time and creating lasting memories with her husband, son, and their lively Boston Terrier. She loves family holidays and staying connected with friends and loved ones. Laura places great importance on balance and self-care, taking time to slow down and recharge through yoga, sound baths, and a generous dose of reality TV.
Laura enjoys being outdoors, good food, and on rainy days, curling up on the sofa with a film and a well-stocked supply of sweets and chocolate. She has a strong dislike for spicy food, traffic jams, and toast that isn’t buttered right to the corners.
Marilia is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at New Start, offering a warm, empathetic, and thoughtful approach to her work with children, young people, and adults. She is deeply committed to supporting clients through their individual challenges, helping them feel heard, understood, and empowered within a safe and trusting therapeutic space.
Marilia holds a First Class Honours degree in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy and has specialist training in working with children and young people. Her strong academic foundation, combined with her calm presence and natural optimism, allows her to offer sensitive, tailored support that meets each client where they are.
At the heart of Marilia’s work are the values she believes matter most: compassion, respect, understanding, and genuine care. She strives to create an environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace, knowing they are fully supported throughout their therapeutic journey.
Outside of her professional role, Marilia enjoys getting lost in a good book, appreciating art, and attending live music events. She values spending time with friends and loves sharing quality moments with her daughter and partner. Marilia also enjoys walking, travelling, and exploring new places whenever she can.
Chloe is a Person-Centred Counsellor at New Start and joined the service in 2023. She works with primary school pupils, high school students, and adults. Prior to retraining as a counsellor, Chloe worked as a Primary School teacher, a background that gives her a strong understanding of children’s emotional, social, and educational needs.
Chloe chose to pursue counselling following her own positive experience of therapy, which shaped her belief in the importance of offering a space where people feel truly heard, accepted, and valued. Her work is grounded in a person-centred approach, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental environment.
Chloe’s goal is to continue supporting people through counselling while developing her knowledge and skills to ensure she offers the best possible care to those she works with.
Outside of her counselling work, Chloe enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her young son. She loves going out for food, exercising, and reading, and values finding balance between busy family life and quiet time.
Chloe enjoys chocolate, musicals, and books. She has a strong dislike for unkindness and celery and believes kindness and understanding are essential in all areas of life.
Debbie is a Person-Centred and Creative Counsellor at New Start and has been part of the service since 2018. She initially worked within schools, supporting children and young people, and now works remotely with adults, exploring the impact of life experiences on identity and relationships.
Debbie is passionate about meeting adults where they are and providing a warm, safe space where clients can explore how they view themselves, others, and the world around them. Her work is grounded in building strong therapeutic relationships that allow insight, growth, and personal development to be gently nurtured and strengthened over time.
Debbie’s goal is to offer a therapeutic space where clients feel supported, heard, and empowered to develop deeper understanding and self-awareness within themselves and their relationships.
Outside of her counselling work, Debbie is a proud mum to her grown-up daughter and shares her life with a loveable, mischievous dog. She values her close relationships with family and friends and enjoys walking her dog, swimming, and baking. Debbie also appreciates cosy time at home with her dog, relaxing and watching a wide variety of TV programmes.
Debbie strongly believes in the importance of people having a voice and dislikes situations where individuals are not heard or valued.
Hello, my name is Sharon. I am a Person-Centred Counsellor.
I feel passionately about facilitating a healing space when working within the therapeutic relationship. Self-awareness is key within the healing journey and I enjoyed helping my clients, young and old, to “connect the dots” as it were, enabling them to move forward from what might be holding them back.
Equally, I enjoy working with young people. Young minds are impressionable, so this is an ideal time to start the therapeutic journey. I love using creative techniques in particular.
When I’m not working, I enjoy nature, walks on the beach, keeping fit, and absolutely anything creative. Painting, drawing, and photography in particular are my passion.
Tibia is an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist at New Start, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. Her training has equipped her with a broad range of therapeutic approaches, allowing her to tailor her work to meet the unique needs of every individual she supports.
Tibia is passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve positive emotional wellbeing. She is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental space where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. Through a compassionate and personalised approach, Tibia helps children and young people build resilience, develop confidence, and strengthen healthy coping strategies that support them both now and in the future.
Tibia’s goal is to continue supporting children and young people to overcome challenges while developing her knowledge and skills as a counsellor. She believes every individual deserves the opportunity to feel understood, empowered, and supported throughout their therapeutic journey.
Outside of her counselling work, Tibia enjoys spending quality time with her children, getting out into nature for walks, and swimming. She values the importance of balance and self-care and enjoys making the most of time with her family.
Lisa Littlechild is a Person-Centred Therapist at New Start, with a specialist interest in complex trauma, schema therapy, attachment disorders, and the use of animal-assisted therapy within the therapeutic process. Her work is informed by both professional training and lived experience, and she brings warmth, authenticity, and deep understanding to every therapeutic space.
Lisa is deeply passionate about working with children and believes strongly in the healing power of safe relationships. She is committed to helping children feel secure, understood, and valued, while supporting them to develop resilience, confidence, and self-belief as they navigate life’s challenges.
Lisa’s goal is to support every child she works with to build emotional strength and resilience, helping them feel better equipped to face whatever difficulties they may encounter. Alongside her professional work, she places great importance on family life and creating meaningful memories with those closest to her.
Outside of her role at New Start, Lisa is married and a proud mum to five children, as well as a very proud grandma to two grandsons. Her home is full of life and reflects her love of animals, shared with six dogs, a guinea pig, a bearded dragon, two ponies, a tortoise, and an axolotl.
Lisa balances a busy and varied week, working as a childminder at the start of the week, attending university midweek where she is completing her BA (Hons) degree, working with New Start on Thursdays and Fridays, and supporting her daughter’s dance school as a general assistant and safeguarding lead on Saturdays.
Lisa enjoys dancing, music, reading, and art. She has a strong dislike for bullying, jokes without a punchline, and people who belittle others, and is guided by values of kindness, respect, and compassion.
