MEMBERSHIP FOR TRAUMA SURVIVORS

A dedicated membership package for those living with Trauma, CPTSD, or PTSD

​ Therapeutic Support Services

MEMBERSHIP package FOR TRAUMA SURVIVORS

A Specialist membership package dedicated to those living with trauma, CPTSD, or PTSD.

Our latest service consists of a support membership package dedicated to trauma survivors. You may have had a difficult childhood, you may have a diagnosis of C/PTSD. This membership will be complemented by coaching, counselling, therapy, therapeutic group sessions (workshops/programmes), and retreats. All of these services will be trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive and attachment-based. The membership will give you, as a member, access to a very unique package which will be carefully planned to meet the needs of trauma survivors and will cover topics, therapeutic activities and interventions in areas which you like to work on and grow in.

the membership will include:

Some of the therapeutic services the membership will include:

  • Daily Gratitude Reflection activity.
  • Daily Themed Reflection activity (trauma-sensitive). This can aid conscious living and will help set an intention and purpose for the day
  • Daily trauma-informed & trauma-sensitive post of inspiration, encouragement and motivation. This will offer validation and support.
  • Trauma-informed & trauma-sensitive ‘Listening Circle’ session by Wendy Andrews for Parents
  • ‘Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness Practice’ session by Vicky O’Donoghue
  • Webinar/Q&A on trauma-related topics) by Sharmi Gowri-Kriszyk
  • Healing Book Club (monthly virtual meet-up but weekly engagement and tasks)
  • Monthly Checking-in with Sharmi Gowri-Kriszyk alongside a worksheet to for you to complete. We will meet virtually to talk about (if you like) to help you see that you are making progress
  • Discount on booking our
  • Monthly Session by a Guest Speaker (usually a trauma survivor themselves). All of their sessions will be trauma-informed & trauma-sensitive. They will be based on their area of specialism e.g therapeutic journaling, trauma-sensitive yoga, DBT Skills, healing trauma through art etc. Some of the sessions are listed below.
  • Access to recording of all the sessions (except the Parenting Listening Circle sessions)
  • More support tasks will be added as we carry on and the long-term plan is to have sessions every day Monday to Friday on a weekly basis.

Mindfulness Art: Mandala Drawing and Painting by Helena Turner

-DBT Skills Workshop by Dushika Rajan

-Therapeutic Journaling Circle Session by Siobhan Louise (all of the themes for the sessions will be trauma-informed)

-Food, Mood and Stress (incl. post-traumatic stress) by Rachel Wray

-Emotional Regulation Session by Sharmi

-Session on Guilt & Shame by Sharmi

-Healing Circle Sessions by Sharmi (Integrating Inner Child work and other subconscious healing approaches )

-Somatic Approaches to Healing Trauma by Sharmi

-Session on Triggers, Flashbacks, and Dissociation by Sharmi

-Session on Boundaries and Assertiveness by Sharmi

-Session on Narcissistic Abuse by Sharmi

-Session on Domestic Abuse/Toxic Relationships by Sharmi

-Session on Self-care (and Self-compassion) by Sharmi

– Session on Healthy Relationship and Intimacy by Sharmi

-Session for trauma survivors who are not parents yet, but like to explore, understand and work on generational trauma and how to break the cycle

There will be several new recordings every week, a new guest speaker every month and there will be a new theme every month. The themes will be all the things that get difficult and get pushed to the side when there has been trauma. For example; trust, self-compassion, self-acceptance, forgiveness, relationships and boundaries. All sessions will revolve around a particular theme, including yoga, mindfulness and meditation, the chosen book for the book club, and even the guest speaker’s session will relate to the topic of the month.

The trauma-informed services will include talks, workshops and therapeutic activities. These will consist of a wide range of topics, but all related to issues which trauma survivors generally suffer from. You will also have free and unlimited access to a secret Facebook group, which will act as a support forum. We will also be sharing free resources here.

We already have a trauma-informed embodied healing retreat planned for Spring 2021! It will be a 3-days residential retreat in the lovely Peak District  for women who have had a difficult childhood or experienced trauma. We will be combining psycho-therapeutic approaches with mindfulness-based practices.

As a member you will be the first one to be notified about any new events and you will have priority booking option.

Trauma often overshadows everything, including the baby-steps we take that contribute to resilience and post-traumatic growth. It is not always the case that you realise what a wonderful transformation that you are going through The worksheet and monthly check-in with reflection will be there to help you see that you are making progress. To help you see that by doing what you are doing you are untangling past trauma – things are shifting and changing. You are shifting through the trauma; growing through the trauma. Research shows that when there is an intention or accountability people feel more motivated to ‘stay on track’. At the same time, I like to clarify and reassure you that this is meant to work as a self-help guide and that there is no pressure. There will be times you will be slip back – that is expected and embraced with empathy and compassion. The goal of the worksheet is not to cause any shame or guilt if you did not manage well. In the monthly reflection, you will have a safe space to share your reflections and insight. It will be a space where all of you and all of your emotions will be welcome, seen, heard and held.

I want it to be a community, that will serve us all as we progress and grow through the trauma to live a life full of self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-forgiveness. Trauma creates change, but it doesn’t have to be bad. We can create positive changes. We hold a lot of gifts and strengths that contribute to our post-traumatic growth. The reality is, when there has been trauma, especially relational trauma rooted in childhood, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to deal with and work on all this on our own. I am hoping that through this membership we will have a community where a safe space will be held for collective healing.

Who will offer these sessions?

The sessions will mainly be offered by me. However, several of them will also be delivered by our carefully selected associates and guest speakers, who are vetted by myself to ensure that their practice is aligned with the mission, vision and values of Stepping Stones Psychology. The essential requirements are that their approach is trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive and attachment-based. Each and every one of us in our team is trauma-informed and many of us have a history of trauma ourselves. To find out more about our team, please see below in the section called ‘Our Team’.

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What is the mission and vision of this membership?

Trauma survivors, especially those with trauma stemming from childhood, often go through life’s challenging with a huge sense of abandonment and ‘I am on my won with this’. It can be a very lonely journey. When there have been relational trauma having a positive relational experience building healthy connections within a community with a sense of belonging and togetherness and can be very therapeutic. This membership will be a community around collective trauma healing and post-traumatic growth. It will be a community where we heal together, and that is what I have been working on with the membership package.

It will not only be a community, but a safe place where we will be educating ourselves, how we respond to trauma and why we respond the way we do. We will be learning to notice, becoming more aware and responding in more healthy ways to trauma trigger, overwhelming emotions and to our inner critic. We will work on taking control of ourselves, rather than our trauma taking charge.

Together with other trauma survivors , you will be committed to living a life full of joy, acceptance, self-compassion and post-traumatic growth.

Where and how will these sessions be offered?

Most of the support will be offered online live via Zoom, however, there will also be occasional sessions offered face-to-face in our local community.

All sessions will be interactive, however, members will participate during the activities or share as much or as a little they feel comfortable with at their own pace. Sharing is not a requirement as the goal of these workshops will be inner healing as part of self-help. You are also more than welcome to turn your camera off in the sessions if that makes you feel more comfortable.

I would like to make sure it reaches as many people as possible. As most of the support will be offered virtually, it would mean that it will be accessible to both the national and global community. So, please feel free to share and invite anyone you know who has had a history of trauma or someone who had a difficult childhood and may be interested.

How much does it Cost?

In addition to the basic membership starting at only £5, we have five other membership options with affordable prices ranging from £10-£50. All of these membership packages are each an excellent value for all what you will be receiving in return.

I know and appreciate that a monthly expenditure can sound like a lot of money. That is why I ensured to offer membership packages within a wide range of cost to make it accessible to those on low income.

You may still have some reservations about committing to a membership due to financial reasons. How I see it is this; we somehow manage to save up money to go on holidays, even if it means low-cost camping or caravan holidays. We do manage to save up to pay for our expensive car services. We manage to pay rent. In other words, we manage to pay for things we prioritise. This is about our mental health, wellbeing and healing/post-traumatic growth – and that is priceless. I know in the UK, basic counselling and psychotherapy roughly cost around £45-50 per session. Specialist Trauma Therapy starts around £120 per session (I made a conscious decision to charge less for this). Workshops and drop-in sessions range from between £7-25.

Whereas, for £5-50, you will get a lot of trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed content and support on a daily basis by a team that brings in not only their specialism, but also their background based on their own lived past trauma. You will have lifetime access to all of this. This means that as time goes by the membership will give you more tools in the future, and it will keep growing in terms of content.

Please see below under ‘Membership Packages’ for information about the different membership packages and the cost for each of them.

If you can’t afford the membership we do accept donation via our bursary fund if someone you know likes to gift you access to the membership. Here is the link to our bursary fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bursary-fund-for-trauma-survivors

We currently have a private Facebook group for those who like to stay informed about this service and where I also share free CPTSD-related resources. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PTSDandTraumaSupportPackage/

MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES

In addition to the basic membership starting at only £5, we have five other membership options with affordable prices ranging from £10-£50. Each membership package has something unique to offer, however the Rhodium Membership will be the best value. Please see the ‘what will the membership include’ section above to find out the details of all the services under each membership package if you like.

  • Unlimited access to our secret Facebook group which will be a safe community for trauma survivors. Here you will receive the following:
  • Daily Gratitude Reflection activity.
  • Daily Themed Reflection activity (trauma-sensitive). This can aid conscious living and will help set an intention and purpose for the day
  • Daily trauma-informed & trauma-sensitive post of inspiration, encouragement and motivation. This will offer validation and support.
  • All of the above will be an invitation only, and there will never be any pressure or expectations for you to engage or write comments.
  • It will be a support group where you can seek peer support from the Stepping Stones Psychology Team (Sharmi, Wendy and Vicky) and the other community members.
  • In addition to all of the content that is included in the Basic Membership you will also receive the following:
  • 1 monthly virtual meet-up for trauma survivors (similar to the AA meeting for those suffering from alcoholism). This meeting will be led by Sharmi Gowri-Kriszyk
  • 5% discount on most of our events e.g. our 6-weeks programmes
  • 5% discount on any live sessions from our other membership packages
  • In addition to all of the content that is included in the Basic and Bronze Membership you will also receive the following:
  • 1 monthly themed webinar/ Q&A session trauma-related topics by Sharmi
  • 10% discount on most of our events e.g. our 6-weeks programmes
  • 10% discount on any live sessions from our other membership packages
  • In addition to all of the content that is included in the Basic, Bronze and Silver Membership you will also receive the following:
  • Healing Book Club (monthly virtual meet-up but weekly engagement and tasks)
  • 15% discount on most of our events e.g. our 6-weeks programmes
  • 15% discount on any live sessions from our other membership packages
  • In addition to all of the content that is included in the Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold Membership you will also receive the following:
  • Bi-weekly ‘Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness Practice’ session by Vicky O’Donoghue
  • Bi-weekly Listening Circle Sessions for Parents living with Trauma by Wendy Andrews
  • 20% discount on most of our events e.g. our 6-weeks programmes
  • 15% discount on any live sessions from our other membership packages e.g. our Monthly Guest Sessions
  • In addition to all of the content that is included in the Bronze Membership, Silver, Gold and Platinum Membership you will also receive the following:
  • Monthly Session by a Guest Speaker (usually a trauma survivor themselves). All of their sessions will be trauma-informed & trauma-sensitive. They will be based on their area of specialism e.g therapeutic journaling, trauma-sensitive yoga, DBT Skills, healing trauma through art etc.
  • 20% discount on most of our events e.g. our 6-weeks programmes
Main photo
Vicky's photo
Wendy photo

Who Are We?

Our DEdicated team

Who Are We?

Sharmi Gowri-Kriszyk

Founder & Clinical Director

Hi, I am Sharmi. I am the Founder and Clinical Director of Stepping Stones Psychology. My background is in psychology with a specialism in trauma and attachment. I have many years’ experience working with individuals of all ages who were experiencing wide range of mental health, behavioural and emotional difficulties. However, my passion and specialism are in the area of trauma healing. In terms of my trauma work,  it involves offering therapy to young people, families and adults who have experienced trauma, including, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, PTSD/C-PTSD/complex trauma, developmental trauma, loss, and attachment difficulties/attachment disorder. In addition to offering general  counselling/psychotherapy and specialist trauma therapy, I  also run trauma-related workshops and 6-weeks programmes.

I am a mum to a special 15-year old boy. Like you, I am also a trauma survivor and I have a diagnosis of Complex PTSD. Throughout my life, I used drawing, reading, studies and music as my coping strategies, and I had believed that I was doing fine. Then I became a parent and it brought up all my unresolved issues and unprocessed trauma to the surface. I invested in therapy with a wonderful and very experienced Trauma Specialist to work on my trauma in order to become a better version of myself as a parent. I was once where you are now, and I am now where I never imagined myself to be. However, I believe healing from complex trauma is an on-going process and I continue to work on myself.

I am someone who enjoys the simple things which life has to offer; like the tranquillity of nature, the blessing of friendships and great company. In my free time, I like to engage in creative activities like drawing, painting and colouring.

I fight against the patriarchy, objectification, oppression and discrimination girls and women often face. In addition to this, I take a strong stand against child maltreatment, domestic abuse and sexual violence. My passion for supporting individuals who have experienced such trauma led me to undertake my role as a Trustee for Mums In Need (MIN), a Non-Profit Organisation. This is an organisation supporting mothers and children who have experienced and escaped domestic abuse. Here, I also worked as a clinician who oversees all the psychological and therapeutic services of the organisation. Should you like to find out more about me, you can by following this link: https://steppingstonespsychology.com/about-us/

I have put my heart and soul into trauma healing work ever since I started my career path and the membership service is something I had on my mind for some time now. I didn’t exactly know it was going to come to this, but I had visualised and held hope that someday there would be a holistic and embodied support service for people who have had a difficult childhood or a history of trauma. I wanted to be a support service that covers everything and offers many different types of support. I am so happy that it is finally here.

Stepping Stones Psychology consists of a wonderful team of carefully selected volunteers, associates and guest-speakers. Wendy Andrews & Vicky O’Donoughue are both the Senior Coordinators & Senior Associates of Stepping Stones Psychology.

Our other associates who usually run our regular guest sessions are Siobhan Louise, Dushika Rajan, Helena Turner and Rachel Wray.

Wendy Andrews

Senior Coordinator & Senior Associate

Additional Roles:  Parenting Peer Support & Mentor. Main Moderator of our secret Support Group

Hello all.

I’m a survivor of Complex PTSD from a tricky childhood, along with numerous specific trauma events. I’ve been a ‘detective on my own case’ for a long time and have learned much and am keen to shorten that time for others. I got to raise a daughter, now 20, along with my dear partner, using peaceful parenting methods from the start.

My specialty is a form of being present to parents, honed over 28 years, that is so much more than general conversational listening, and opens up pathways to being able to be present to your own children’s upsets in ways you might never have experienced yourself. I have a knack for hearing what your subconscious is telling me and presenting it back to you that can bring new awareness and healing. This leads, over time, to more freedom for yourself and connection and laughter with your children. I mentored many parents for a number of years in a peaceful parenting Facebook group and have numerous resources I love to share.

This presence is what I will be bringing to the weekly Listening Circles as part of the support package, along with daily support memes and words, and moderating the Facebook private support group.

I am committed in an ongoing way to clearing every last drop of racism from my psyche that this society has ingrained, and I see clearly that healing my trauma and not passing it on plays a crucial role in this.

I love being close to tiny little birds and have created a colourful garden of sweet treats so I get to see them every day.

Here is a link to my award winning short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avN0xG9jlq8&t=2s , and a Facebook page about its creation: https://www.facebook.com/silentlydrawn/

Vicky O’Donoghue

Senior Coordinator & Senior Associate

Additional Roles:  Mindfulness Coach &  Moderator of our groups

Hello, I’m Vicky, I’m delighted to be part of the associate team here where I will be sharing my passion for mindfulness with you, as well as supporting as a moderator within the private group.

My background is in counselling psychology and I initially trained in the late nineties. Since then I’ve worked therapeutically as a counsellor, personal development facilitator and wellbeing coach, mostly within the voluntary/community sector; supporting people’s healing and growth on an individual and group basis.  I’ve worked in mental health settings, with family services, homelessness and employment programmes.  I’ve also worked on a private basis as a training & development consultant and coach, delivering programmes that enable people to reach their full potential.

After completing my mindfulness teacher training in early 2017, I was invited to teach mindfulness at a Women’s Centre in Derby, which I enjoyed immensely.  This was my first time working in a trauma informed setting and since then I’ve gone on to learn more about trauma sensitive ways of integrating mindfulness as a therapeutic approach.  I am honoured to be able to bring that learning and my compassion-based teaching style to this membership programme. 

I also run Mindful Living (alongside my current day job at South Yorkshire Housing Association in Sheffield, UK) where I offer 1:1 coaching, group sessions and retreats.

I am a trauma survivor too, having faced challenging circumstances in childhood and early adulthood, and have experienced severe depression & anxiety as a result of that.  Mindfulness was the seed change for my own healing journey, and it’s helped me far more than talking therapies alone.  I now combine mindfulness philosophy and practice with other forms of mind-body healing such as meditation and yoga to manage my own situation. I strongly believe in an integrative approach and fully endorse this programme; I only wish there had been something like this available to myself many years ago.

Outside of work I adore being out in nature, the more remote the better, I love human beings (well the kind spirited ones) but as a sensitive person I find the great outdoors a vital source of nourishment and restoration.

How To register?

If you would like to talk to me or arrange an appointment please do not hesitate to contact me. You can also email me on: contact@steppingstonespschology.com, or use the contact form by clicking the button below.

Contact Form
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