Our Services
HSTAR Scotland SCIO offers counselling and support for women who have experienced trauma and/or abuse. We take a holistic approach to improving mental and physical wellbeing through non-judgmental, accessible services. We provide free and partially funded therapy sessions for women in Scotland. Sessions are tailored to meet the individual healing needs, are available in over 20 languages, and can be delivered face-to-face, via phone, or online. Our therapy service provides short-term counselling, limited to a maximum of 18 sessions. Our mental health and wellbeing clinic, including our safety planning service, is up to a maximum of 4 sessions.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Our Mental Health Wellbeing Clinic is designed to provide short-term support for female survivors of trauma and/or abuse. Our compassionate team offers guidance and practical assistance over a total of 2 hours, delivered in four 30-minute sessions. These sessions focus on mental health and wellbeing, covering stress management, building coping skills, practising effective breathing techniques, and creating a personalised self-care plan to support your overall emotional health.
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We aim to offer a safe, temporary space where you can address your immediate needs and challenges while learning tools to boost your resilience. Sessions can be held online, over the telephone, or face-to-face, depending on your preference and accessibility requirements, and we always maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and care.
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Referrals are simple and accessible. Women can self-refer via our Self-Referral Form or be referred by professionals via our External Referral Form, both found our website.
1-2-1
Counselling
We provide a safe, therapeutic environment where women can speak openly about their experiences. Our counselling services offer a space for many to share their stories for the first time, and receive emotional support from experienced professionals. By learning essential tools to overcome trauma, our clients can make significant breakthroughs and build a strong foundation for recovery.
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Our culturally sensitive counselling support typically involves between 8 and 18 sessions of therapy. Each eligible client may receive up to 18 hours of trauma recovery therapy sessions, tailored to their individual healing needs. For those eligible for free therapy, initial therapy blocks of 8 or 12 sessions are provided at no cost for Forth Valley residents. Clients then have the option following their free block of continuing with additional paid sessions if needed to take them up to a maximum of 18 sessions offered by the charity. If a client resides outside the Forth Valley area, HSTAR Scotland can only offer partially funded therapy. Following the intake assessment and confirmation of eligibility, we can offer up to 18 therapy sessions at a reduced charity rate of £30 per hour. HSTAR Scotland will cover the remaining costs of services and management expenses.
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We are dedicated to empowering women by recognising and respecting their unique differences in age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin.
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Referrals are simple and accessible. Women can self-refer via our Self-Referral Form or be referred by professionals via our External Referral Form, both found our website.
Safety Planning
At HSTAR Scotland SCIO, our safety planning sessions are informed by the latest research in suicide prevention and grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed practice. We offer this specialised support to women across Scotland who have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide within the past six months.
Safety planning is a personalised, practical approach designed to help individuals stay emotionally, mentally, and physically safe during times of distress. Our trained facilitators work one-to-one with each client to explore individual coping strategies, outline practical steps to reduce risk, and identify supportive people and safe environments. The safety plan also includes distraction activities, grounding practices, and a clear guide to professional resources and steps to take in an emergency.
It is important to note that safety planning is a preventative and supportive tool—not a crisis service—and it is not suitable for individuals with intent to act on suicidal thoughts. In such cases, immediate help should be sought from emergency services or crisis intervention teams.
Safety planning can be accessed as a stand-alone service or, where appropriate, as a preparatory step before engaging in trauma-recovery therapy. This helps ensure safety is prioritised and a solid foundation of support is in place. By focusing on practical, personalised strategies, these sessions empower women to build resilience and regain a sense of safety and control.
Typically, the service includes two 30-minute sessions, with up to four available if needed. Sessions can be delivered online, by phone, or in person—offering flexible, trauma-sensitive, and person-centred care.
Referrals are simple and accessible. Women can self-refer via our Self-Referral Form or be referred by professionals via our External Referral Form, both found our website.
Advocacy &
CICA Claims
*Please note, due to funding and staffing limitations we are currently unable to accept any new Advocacy/CICA clients*
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HSTAR’s Advocacy Clinic and Support Services are vital components of trauma-informed care in Forth Valley, offering services not available anywhere else in the region. Supporting over 1500 women who are survivors of trauma, HSTAR delivers early, coordinated, and person-centred interventions that empower women and their children to rebuild their lives.
HSTAR offers tailored CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) support, acting as a representative and advocate to eligible women through the complex process of applying for compensation following experiences of violence or abuse. This includes help with gathering evidence, completing forms, handling all communication, and accessing legal advice, ensuring women understand their rights and entitlements without being re-traumatised by the system.
The Advocacy Clinic provides a range of essential services. Women referred to the service have direct access to a Mental Health Wellbeing clinic, staffed by experienced registered Mental Health Nurses and Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners, all trained and knowledgeable in trauma-informed practice, mental health first aid and suicide prevention. This service fills a critical gap in mental health support, particularly in light of long NHS waiting lists.
The clinic also features a strong network that connects individuals with solicitor services offering Family Law advice and access to Legal Aid for women in a safe and stable environment. We offer help for women to manage debt, understand entitlements, and maintain secure housing—often essential after financial abuse. Trauma-sensitive budgeting workshops, affordable meal planning sessions, and access to Healthy Start vitamins and milk further support wellbeing. Women and their families can also benefit from the local community support to promote both physical and emotional health HSTAR’s employability coaching sessions support women in developing the confidence and skills to pursue education and careers, helping them build a future that is emotionally, socially, and financially secure.
HSTAR represents women and children at multiple forums, including MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) meetings across the region, ensuring their safety and voices are prioritised in interagency responses. As equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to our mission, we support women from BAME communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those living with HIV/AIDS or in transition. Services are accessible, culturally sensitive, and offered in over 20 languages. Our staff and volunteer team reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, and we continue to expand accessibility, including by having a staff member learn sign language.
We work in close partnership with local mosques, refugee groups, schools, colleges, and universities, and have strong links with NHS Forth Valley, Police Scotland, Stirling Council, and Women’s Aid organisations.
HSTAR’s work is about more than service delivery—it’s about transformation. We provide the tools, support, and compassion women need to overcome trauma and build confident, independent futures for themselves, their families and their communities.
