Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trauma Recovery Support for Women in Leicester
The Quetzal Project was founded in 1989 by Jennifer Anthony Black as a self-help group for women recovering from childhood sexual abuse. Following her vision, we have developed into a professional support service offering free, confidential counselling and outreach programs. Our team comprises six part-time staff, one full-time staff member, 35 volunteer counsellors, and five volunteer connectors dedicated to empowering female survivors. As the only long-term counselling service in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland specifically for women, we use trauma-informed methodologies to prevent re-traumatisation while fostering agency and control.Our 30+ years of experience have shaped a values-driven approach centered on inclusivity, safety, integrity, and resilience. We work closely with local communities to challenge stigma through initiatives like the Break The Silence and Crush The Hush programmes. Accredited under the BACP Ethical Framework, our all-female team provides a secure environment where survivors receive tailored care. The organisation maintains strong governance through a board of nine trustees with expertise in law, mental health, and community leadership, ensuring we uphold our mission of a world where survivors live free from trauma.
Services
Counselling
EMDR Therapy
Single Session Therapy
Emotional Support Calls
Group Sessions
Outreach Programmes
Welfare Advocacy
Creative Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of specialist experience in trauma recovery for female survivors
- Accredited under the BACP Ethical Framework for counselling services
- All-female staff and volunteer team creates optimal safety for survivors
- Free, confidential long-term counselling with no time restrictions
- Community-based outreach initiatives reducing stigma across Leicestershire
Associations and certifications
- BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
What people say
Safe space for healing
Experienced trauma specialists
Inclusive environment
Confidential support
Effective therapies
Services
Counselling
Our specialist counselling services provide long-term, trauma-informed support for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Sessions address the complex psychological impacts through evidence-based practices tailored to individual needs. With experienced therapists operating under strict ethical guidelines, we create safe spaces for processing trauma without time constraints or pressure. This service forms the core of our mission to empower survivors through dedicated mental health support.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy treats trauma by helping clients process distressing memories. Our trained practitioners use bilateral stimulation techniques to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic experiences. This evidence-based approach specifically addresses the unique psychological challenges faced by survivors of childhood sexual abuse within our women-only environment.
Group Sessions
Facilitated group sessions create communal spaces for survivors to share experiences and build supportive connections. These sessions follow trauma-informed practices to ensure safety while fostering peer understanding. Participants develop coping strategies through guided discussions and creative activities, complementing individual therapy with collective healing experiences.
Emotional Support
Ongoing emotional support includes regular check-ins and guidance from trained volunteers. This service provides continuity between formal therapy sessions through empathetic listening and practical advice. Our approach prioritizes building trust gradually while respecting personal boundaries, creating additional layers of emotional safety for survivors navigating recovery.
Outreach Programmes
Break The Silence and Crush The Hush initiatives deliver community-based education about childhood sexual abuse impacts. These programmes work to dismantle stigma through awareness campaigns and targeted support for specific demographics including LGBTQ+ survivors and young adults aged 16-24 across Leicestershire and Rutland.
Questions
How can I refer myself for counselling?
Contact us via phone or our online form to begin the referral process. We'll guide you through next steps and current availability.
Do you offer support outside Leicester city?
Our services cover all of Leicestershire and Rutland through outreach programmes and satellite support locations.
What therapy approaches do you use?
We primarily offer EMDR therapy and trauma-informed approaches, tailored to individual recovery needs within women-only spaces.
Are there alternatives during counselling wait times?
Yes. While on our free counselling waiting list, we provide group sessions, workshops, and emotional support check-ins.
How does your women-only policy work?
We support all women, including transgender women. Our policy creates optimal safety through all-female staff teams and exclusive survivor spaces.
Can I access online support sessions?
Yes. We offer telephone and online options for emotional support calls and some therapy sessions when appropriate.
Videos
