We have a team of volunteers who help support us from fundraising to counselling. We are incredibly grateful for all that they do. If you would like to become a volunteer for Aura, please contact us: hello@auracio.org.uk
Our volunteer counsellors provide face-to-face counselling sessions for clients. Some of our counsellors are on placements from local Universities while they complete their final training.
This gives Aura the opportunity to support the students with the opportunity to deliver the counselling hours they need to complete their course, as well as giving our clients access to free counselling.
We’re incredibly grateful for the fundraising our volunteers do. Whether that’s supporting us with an event, spreading the word about Aura, writing funding bids or gathering donations, and all the other fantastic work they do. We cannot thank them enough!
Hi, I’m Kay. I love holidays, swimming, reading and walking my lovely dog, Luna. I have been a counsellor/psychotherapist for close to twenty years. I am an accredited member of the British Association for counsellors and psychotherapists and work according to their code of ethics.
In 2014 I became a clinical supervisor. I worked and volunteered for a rape and sexual abuse charity in Staffordshire for 15 years. Since 2018 I have been in private practice.
When Aura began, I was there at the very beginning, assisting the founder, offering support where I could and offering my services as a counsellor in a voluntary capacity, which I still do today.
Hey there, I’m Rylee. I’m a warm, down-to-earth counsellor working from a person-centred approach, with my main belief – being truly heard can be a powerful turning point.
I offer a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can talk freely, untangle thoughts, and make sense of what you’re feeling – at your pace, not mine. As an attentive and caring listener, I value the trust it takes to share your story with me. Who am I to ask you to show your true self, if I cannot show you mine? So…
I’m Luther, I’m a person-centered student counsellor volunteering with Aura since September 2023.
I enjoy solving puzzles and being outdoors.
One of the reasons why I wanted to be a counsellor is that I’ve always wanted to help people and feel that counselling is one of the best ways to do so.
My name is Olly, a student of Psychotherapy at the University of Staffordshire, currently undertaking a placement with Aura. My therapeutic approach is grounded in person-centred principles, fostering a supportive and empathetic environment for clients. I integrate this foundation with various modalities, including systemic, attachment, psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As a student member of the BACP, I am committed to facilitating personal growth and well-being through collaborative exploration.
Outside of my academic work, I maintain a balanced lifestyle, engaging in activities such as art and drawing, going to the gym, practicing mindfulness meditation, and working part-time to help vulnerable people engage with their community. I also share my home with three cats and a dog who keep me entertained and grounded!
Hi, I’m Vanessa, a volunteer Integrative Psychotherapist at Aura. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can talk about whatever’s feeling difficult right now, without judgment.
I take an integrative approach to therapy, which means I draw on different models like person-centred, psychodynamic, attachment theory and CBT to shape our sessions around what works best for you. We might explore patterns from the past, look at what’s going on in the present, or a bit of both, always at a pace that feels right for you. I work gently and collaboratively, and believe that feeling truly heard and understood is a powerful part of the healing process.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy listening to music, a bit of retail therapy, and spending quality time with loved ones including my Cavapoochon, Bodhi.
My name is Jenna; I am a person-centred student counsellor training at Keele University currently undertaking placement with Aura. As I work in a person-centred way, I offer a safe, non-judgemental space for you to explore how you are feeling and walk with you throughout your journey.
I have always had a passion for helping others and upon studying psychology and learning about counselling, I was immediately drawn to pursue a counselling career. I completed my BSc at Birmingham City University in psychology and counselling, then moving onto Keele University to complete my MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am a member of the British Association for counselling and psychotherapists and committed to follow their code of ethics to ensure safe practice for all my clients.
In my free time I love reading, cooking, walking, going to the gym and spending time with my dogs, family and friends.
I am a final-year Person-Centred Counselling student who is passionate about offering a safe, warm, and accepting space with empathy and genuineness. My aim is to accompany you as you explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace. I believe that each person already holds the capacity for growth and change and I am committed to working in a way that feels collaborative, supportive, and led by you. I am also a student member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Hi I’m Rebecca, I am in my last year of studying Integrative psychotherapies at Staffordshire University.
I see therapy as process which is guided by the needs of the client, just as no two people are alike, no two sessions or experiences will be the same.
The one thing that will remain is my respect for your views, values and individuality.
When I’m not studying or on placement, I work for a national charity and have years of experience working with people who identify as neurodiverse or live with a disability, supporting them and advocating for their voices to be heard.
I’m so pleased to be a part of the team at AURA an, organisation who have the same commitment to the ethical values of the BACP as I do.
My name is Lauren, and I am studying on the MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy at Keele University. I am currently completing my placement with Aura, where I provide a welcoming and supportive environment grounded in person-centred principles. I work in a collaborative and non-judgemental way, tailoring my approach in each session to support the therapeutic process. I am a student member of the BACP and committed to practising ethically while continuing to develop my skills.
Outside of my training, I enjoy staying active through sports and spending time with my family, including my two young children.
Hi, I’m Becky.My approach is calm, honest, and grounding, with a warm and supportive presence that helps clients feel safe enough to be themselves. I believe in keeping things real — creating a space where people don’t feel judged, analysed, or expected to be anything other than human.
I have always been someone that family and friends naturally turn to for support, and that instinct to listen and understand has shaped my journey into counselling. After witnessing a loved one struggle to access the support they needed during a difficult time, I decided to become part of the solution — helping to create the kind of compassionate, accessible support that can make a real difference when it matters most.
My work is rooted in curiosity and understanding. Rather than seeing people as problems to fix, I aim to understand the experiences and patterns that shape who we are, while always honouring each person’s story and individual needs. I strive to offer a space that feels safe, authentic, and grounded — where clients can explore, reflect, and move forward at their own pace.
Hello, my name is Liz, I am a proud mother of two adult children and a trainee counsellor at Aura. I love working at Aura being part of an organisation dedicated to providing emotional support, I am passionate about providing a safe, calm space for clients, supporting them to explore their thoughts and feelings in a way that empowers them to find their own way through.
I work in a person-centered way integrating CBT and Transactional Analysis as and when appropriate in a collaborative way always putting the client at the heart of our work together. In my free time I enjoy going out to the countryside and listening to music.
