meet our people.
We want you to know that you're in our thoughts every single day.
Sometimes it's in a team meeting. Sometimes it's at a desk while sitting with colleagues & other times, it's at homes with our familites.
We carry your truth in all that we do.
For many of us, this is in the company of our own stories or the truth of many other individuals in our lives.
We know there is a difference between 'knowing' something & 'feeling' something - we want you to know that we believe you & we're right here with you.
We want you to know this & we hope you feel this.
Lucy Hebberts
Head of GINA
feminist | activist | co-researcher | author | artist | pianist | chocolate-enthusiast
hello! I head up all of GINA & manage the magic that happens at GINA HQ. I’m also in the role of Executive Assistant for our sister organisation, RSVP.
I’m a University of Birmingham Business Management graduate & a published academic author, with my research surrounding female sexualisation & objectification in marketing published internationally in SAGE’s Handbook of Marketing Ethics, in 2020.
I am also a Co-Researcher with The PROSPER Study at the University of Birmingham, which is a study of the role, funding and commissioning of specialist services provided by the voluntary sector in England.
I am passionate about my work at GINA because it embodies my message to individuals subjected to sexual violence & abuse...
“to all who are still silenced, shamed & disbelieved. I believe you. It’s a privilege to stand with you. your courage & strength never cease to amaze & inspire me. I am in awe of you. you have the right to thrive after being subjected to sexual violence & abuse. you have the right to object against your own mistreatment & that of others. the rest of the world may try & deny you this right & they will act offended and disgusted when you exercise it, but it is yours.
you have that right, don’t be afraid to live it.”
Training, certifications & qualifications: BSc Business Management (University of Birmingham) 1st class hons | Training: trauma-informed approach, victim-blaming, data protection & GDPR, first aid, working with trauma in a time of trauma (Carolyn Spring), safeguarding for senior, designated & operational managers, understanding sexual violence & abuse (Umbrella), child sexual exploitation.
Areas of specialism: business & organisational management; female sexualisation & objectification; violence against women & girls (particularly passionate about supporting women & girls subjected to sexism, oppression, misogyny, sexual harassment, violence & abuse).
Length of time in the sector: over 5 years
If I could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, I would travel to: Scotland or Amsterdam
At the moment, I am reading: Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given & Fix The System, Not The Women by Laura Bates
On a Sunday afternoon, I am most likely to be found: enjoying a bottomless brunch, driving around in my little classic car, walking in the countryside or binge-watching my favourite Netflix series!
Listen to Lucy feature in Stacie Glass'
'Life After Sexual Abuse' podcast
S3. Ep.5 | Working in The Sexual Abuse Support Sector
Mónica Tolosa
GINA Support Lead
Victoria Gothard
GINA Support Lead
Hola, I first joined GINA as an intern, continued my involvement as a Campaign Ambassador Volunteer and now I am pleased to support Lucy as Support Lead!
I hold a Master of Science in Crisis and Security Management from the University of Leiden, as well as an International Relations Bachelor from the University of Birmingham. During my studies, I mostly focused on the role of gender in politics and security, with a focus on sexual exploitation and trafficking.
I am proud to be a part of GINA, as I think it is a privilege to work with and for all the magical individuals involved at all stages!
Training, certifications & qualifications: MSc Crisis and Security Management (University of Leiden) | Leadership Honours Programme (University of Leiden) | First Class BA Hons International Relations (University of Birmingham) | Training: Child Sexual Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Violence and the Law, Becoming Trauma Responsive (RSVP).
If I could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, I would travel to: Argentina or Madrid
At the moment, I am reading: A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
On a Sunday afternoon, I am most likely to be found: ‘helping’ my dad make lunch for my family or upside down practicing new yoga poses!
Hi! I am one of the Support Leads, working closely with Mónica to support Lucy in ensuring the growth and smooth running of everything at GINA HQ. Having previously worked as a volunteer and then as a Business Assistant at GINA I strongly believe that GINA has a unique offering to ensure that individuals subjected to sexual assault feel heard and less alone in this experience.
I am also a final year student of Politics and Spanish at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to taking on this role I have worked in different capacities at various charities and think tanks that all had a focus on young people, women and education.
Training, Certificates and Qualifications: An Introduction to Trauma informed practice (2021), Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse (2021)
Length of time in the sector: 4 years
If I could travel anywhere in the world where would it be: Brazil and the Philippines
At the moment I am reading: Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
On a Sunday afternoon I am most likely to be found: Spending time with loved ones or curled up in bed with a good book !
counsellors.
Victoria
Hello, I’m Victoria! I am an Adult Integrative Psychotherapist. This means I can adapt and utilise a variety of theories and approaches including trauma and attachment, psychodynamic and body and somatic work, to create a unique counselling experience that works specifically for you because I believe that you are the expert when it comes to all things you and that there is no one else in the world like you. The exciting part of my job is that I get the chance to come alongside you on part of your journey and walk a little bit of it with you. I aim to create a safe space where you feel heard and valued, and you can speak through and explore your experiences and feelings. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband finding new places to explore (castles are quite high up at the moment) and sampling tasty food! I also enjoy getting my creative juices flowing – I’m currently learning how to cross-stitch – or getting lost in a good book!
Jane
Hi! I'm Jane, an Integrative counsellor here at GINA. I hold a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, am an experienced telephone counsellor. I'm offering a safe space for you to explore your feelings and anxieties where you will be listened to and not judged. I specialise in domestic violence, rape and sexual violence, childhood abuse, bereavement, loss, anxiety, and anger. Living with the events of our past and pressures of everyday life can feel very overwhelming and lonely. I also have experience in supporting individuals with religious-related sexual abuse & ritualistic sexual abuse. I am not going to tell you what to do but sit alongside you to explore all those feelings and emotions that you are experiencing. Helping you to be you again and enabling you to live your best life going forward. As an integrative counsellor, I draw upon different theories and approaches to make your counselling bespoke to you with you at the centre of everything we do together.
Outside of counselling, I have a great love of the outdoors and animals as well as dress making, quilting and anything crafty. I have seven dogs who keep me very busy too!
Kay
Hi, I'm Kay. I am a qualified counsellor, hypnotherapist and yoga instructor using a variety of different therapeutic styles based on individual needs, this includes person centred therapy, CBT, DBT and trauma informed yoga along with mindfulness and creative arts. I work with adults and specialise in rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, childhood trauma, anxiety, flashbacks, depression low self worth and more. All my sessions offer you a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings and together we find the right styles of therapy to help you on your journey. Life events happen but left untreated can resurface later in life causing more emotional distress as life goes on, if you feel ready to work through your concerns then reach out to us at GINA and together we can help and support you through the challenging times. I offer face to face, online and telephone therapy sessions which can also include blended sessions to help fit your schedule. Thank you for taking the time to read my Bio and we look forward to working with you when you feel ready for therapy.
Onika
Hi, I am Onika. I am an integrative counsellor who uses a variety of techniques to support your individual needs. I create a safe non-judgmental space for you to explore your feelings and thoughts at your pace. Taking the first step to seek counselling may be difficult or daunting, however, I am here to embark on this journey alongside you. I am here for you.
I offer telephone and in-person counselling. In my free time. I enjoy travelling, learning about different cultures, trying new food and walking in the countryside.
Sirrena
Hi, I’m Sirrena. I work under an empathetic, understanding, warm & non-judgemental approach. I offer a safe, comfortable environmental to support you in therapy sessions that move at your own pace, where self-discovery, self-awareness & self-acceptance can be explored. I am a qualified counsellor in level 2 & 3 counselling skills, alongside a level 4 diploma where I have trained in offering person-centred counselling under an integrative approach using cognitive behavioural & psychodynamic theory, tailored to suit you. With my experience in supporting individuals subjected to sexual violence and abuse, I know how hard, scary & overwhelming it can feel. As your counsellor, I am there with you every step of the way to support & empower. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to support with techniques to heal from trauma. As a spiritual person, I have also trained in spiritual counselling where I focus on healing as a whole person, connection with your higher self & inner balance (exploring therapy techniques like meditation & mindfulness). I am also trained in colour therapy where I work with different colours to balance energy, aid creativity & enhance wellbeing. Through approaches like journaling & meditation, I also offer work to support inner child healing to explore your younger self & develop coping strategies. In my free time, I meditate, I go to the gym, I partake in yoga & pilates, I love cooking & I value spending time with family & friends. I also love positive affirmations & wish to offer you a gentle reminder that your journey has just started, you are worthy & you are not alone.
Iram
Hi, I'm Iram, I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with a Level 4 Diploma, offering therapeutic support using a range of therapeutic approaches, depending on the needs of my clients. Drawing from Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and Trauma-Focused Therapy, I aim to provide a compassionate, empathetic space for healing and growth. I can work in-person and online.
My approach is focused on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. I believe in building a strong therapeutic relationship in order to support my clients with what they want to work on, whether it is wanting to have better relationship with self, healing from trauma or any other challenges that they want to work through. I feel humbled to share my client's journey of exploring self, healing and empowerment towards living a fulfilling life.
When I am not at work, I enjoy nature walks, yoga and family time.
