FreshStart Psychotherapy C.I.C.

Who we are

FreshStart Psychotherapy C.I.C. is a community-focused organisation providing safe, professional and affordable psychotherapy to people who might otherwise be unable to access long-term therapy. We believe that financial circumstances should not be a barrier to getting the support people need.

We work with trainee and qualified therapists to provide therapy at an affordable cost, bridging the gap between private therapy, which can be out of reach for many people, and limited NHS provision. We currently support over 500 clients each year and work with around 150 trainee and qualified therapists. At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to look after their mental health and to be heard, supported and understood.

Our culture and values

FreshStart is a collaborative and values-led organisation. We care deeply about the people we support and about creating an environment where therapists, staff, volunteers and trustees feel respected, supported and able to contribute. We want to support people to reach their potential — whether that is a client seeking therapeutic support or a therapist taking their first steps into clinical practice through a placement with us.

We believe in compassion, inclusion, openness and integrity. We value thoughtful, reflective practice and believe that people learn and develop best when they feel supported to ask questions, reflect on their experiences and grow in confidence. We encourage collaboration, curiosity and honest discussion, and are committed to learning and improving as an organisation. Above all, we want the work we do to have a meaningful impact — both for the people who come to FreshStart for therapy and for the therapists who develop their practice with us.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

quality, diversity and inclusion are central to FreshStart's values and the way we work. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and where discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment have no place.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and value the different experiences, perspectives and identities that people bring to our organisation. We are committed to equality of opportunity across our staff, therapists, volunteers and Board, and we aim to ensure that our recruitment, working practices and decision-making are fair, inclusive and accessible. We recognise that creating an inclusive organisation is an ongoing process and are committed to listening, learning and continually strengthening our practice.