Our Team

Angela brings extensive experience in leading services that support mental health and emotional wellness, particularly for young people and communities affected by trauma. With a background in strategic management and service delivery, she is passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces for survivors.

As a trustee of Survivors Unite, 

Angela brings extensive experience in leading services that support mental health and emotional wellness, particularly for young people and communities affected by trauma. With a background in strategic management and service delivery, she is passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces for survivors.

As a trustee of Survivors Unite, Angela is committed to championing survivor-led approaches and ensuring the organisation’s values remain at the heart of its work.

Val served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, gaining valuable experience and discipline. Following her military service, she worked for an electronic distributor, serving customers across the UK and Europe for 18 years. She later transitioned into the care sector, ending her working career as a support worker in home care and residential 

Val served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, gaining valuable experience and discipline. Following her military service, she worked for an electronic distributor, serving customers across the UK and Europe for 18 years. She later transitioned into the care sector, ending her working career as a support worker in home care and residential homes based in Hawick. Val brings a wealth of practical experience and compassion to every role she undertakes.

Annalisa is an accredited counsellor with BACP having qualified as an integrated therapist in 2000. Her model is based on a psycho-dynamic understanding using Gestalt and Jungian concepts. She works with individuals with a range of lived experiences, including abuse and complex trauma. Annalisa works as both a counsellor and a supervisor 

Annalisa is an accredited counsellor with BACP having qualified as an integrated therapist in 2000. Her model is based on a psycho-dynamic understanding using Gestalt and Jungian concepts. She works with individuals with a range of lived experiences, including abuse and complex trauma. Annalisa works as both a counsellor and a supervisor of individuals and groups. Her approach to helping others is a holistic process which involves the body, as well as the mind and draws on ideas from ancient wisdom belonging to the eastern and western world. 

Clare is a fully qualified counsellor trained in the Person-Centred Approach. She places the client at the heart of their work together, offering a space where they are truly heard, believed, and accepted without judgment.

Clare works with adults who have experienced, or are continuing to experience, the effects of abuse - including sexual

Clare is a fully qualified counsellor trained in the Person-Centred Approach. She places the client at the heart of their work together, offering a space where they are truly heard, believed, and accepted without judgment.

Clare works with adults who have experienced, or are continuing to experience, the effects of abuse - including sexual, emotional, physical, and psychological abuse. She offers a compassionate and steady presence, supporting clients in processing trauma at their own pace.

In addition to her work with complex trauma, Clare has a particular interest in Pre-Therapy, providing a supportive starting point for those who may feel hesitant about engaging in counselling.

She previously ran her own business for many years and volunteered as a Listener and Mentor with the Samaritans for over a decade.

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." – Carl Gustav Jung

Dunia is a qualified Psychologist and CBT -Therapist with a Person-Centred approach, as well using Systemic family therapy concepts. She has experience working in Gender Violence for the past 20 years and working for different organisations that focus on trauma-recovery. She is originally from Mexico, where her experience centred around d

Dunia is a qualified Psychologist and CBT -Therapist with a Person-Centred approach, as well using Systemic family therapy concepts. She has experience working in Gender Violence for the past 20 years and working for different organisations that focus on trauma-recovery. She is originally from Mexico, where her experience centred around domestic abuse, sexual abuse and helping communities in extreme poverty to recover from trauma.  She has has a close understanding about intersectionality, transgender issues and complex trauma. Sessions can be offered in English or Spanish.

Karen began her time with Survivors Unite as a student, qualifying in 2024 as a psychotherapist. She retired from the NHS in 2019 after over 30 years working as a mental health nurse and in other mental health related fields. Since then she has qualified as a Mindfulness teacher with The Mindfulness Association and teaches locally for Hea

Karen began her time with Survivors Unite as a student, qualifying in 2024 as a psychotherapist. She retired from the NHS in 2019 after over 30 years working as a mental health nurse and in other mental health related fields. Since then she has qualified as a Mindfulness teacher with The Mindfulness Association and teaches locally for Health in Mind. She is a senior student with the Karuna Institute, training in Core Process Psychotherapy, which is an integrated Mindfulness based approach. 

Margaret worked as a Civil Servant for 23 years, 2 years in Social Care. As a Survivor of various traumas herself, Margaret is passionate about Survivors Unite. She is committed to her role as Peer Support. Margaret says it is a privilege to pass on knowledge & understanding with empathy and is a regular volunteer at our group. She now ma

Margaret worked as a Civil Servant for 23 years, 2 years in Social Care. As a Survivor of various traumas herself, Margaret is passionate about Survivors Unite. She is committed to her role as Peer Support. Margaret says it is a privilege to pass on knowledge & understanding with empathy and is a regular volunteer at our group. She now manages trauma in a healthy way, and understands that it can change a life as it has her own. Margaret also works as an administrator for a community transport provider that offers affordable wheelchair accessible transport in the central borders area to people who have mobility issues.

Originally a teacher, Marie brings a wealth of experience working with young people, families, and individuals who think, feel, or learn in different ways, including those with autism, ADHD, or other neurodiverse profiles. As a qualified psychotherapist with a cognitive behavioural approach, Marie offers a calm, compassionate, and trauma-

Originally a teacher, Marie brings a wealth of experience working with young people, families, and individuals who think, feel, or learn in different ways, including those with autism, ADHD, or other neurodiverse profiles. As a qualified psychotherapist with a cognitive behavioural approach, Marie offers a calm, compassionate, and trauma-informed space for those living with the lasting effects of early experiences. Drawing on both professional training and lived experience, she works gently and collaboratively, always placing the client at the centre. Her approach is grounded in empathy, creativity, and respect, supporting each person to explore their story, rebuild self-trust, and move toward healing with safety, choice, and hope.

Megan became part of Survivors Unite on placement during her final year of training. She has since qualified in pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy and is a member of the NCPS.

Megan has previous experience in working with neurodiversity and children with additional needs.

She approaches her work from a person-centred perspective, dra

Megan became part of Survivors Unite on placement during her final year of training. She has since qualified in pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy and is a member of the NCPS.

Megan has previous experience in working with neurodiversity and children with additional needs.

She approaches her work from a person-centred perspective, drawing on elements of psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy.