Welcome
TRGU (The Real Glow Up) is a supportive space I created to walk alongside you in your healing journey. Whether you’re currently in counselling or not, this hub is here to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered as you recover from the effects of abuse.
Healing is holistic; it touches every part of who we are: mind, body, emotions, and relationships. That’s why TRGU is designed not only to complement counselling, but also to be here as a standalone resource if therapy isn’t an option right now.
A real glow up isn’t about outer appearance, it’s about the deep inner work of reclaiming your power, restoring self-trust, and navigating adversity with resilience. Trauma can affect every aspect of life, from how safe we feel in our own bodies to the way we connect with others. This site offers resources and guidance to help you build awareness, protect your wellbeing, and grow stronger in your own time and at your own pace.
TRGU was born from my own lived experience of trauma and the belief that no one should have to go through it feeling unseen or unsupported. Creating this space is my way of giving back, to offer the kind of care, understanding, and tools I wish I’d had when I needed them most.
Above all, TRGU is about reminding you that you are not broken, you are becoming.
"Healing happens in the presence of an empathetic witness"- Bessel van der Kolk
About me:
Kirsty Richardson
Trauma-Informed Counsellor
Background & Training
I’m a qualified Trauma-Informed Counsellor with a particular focus on recovery from childhood trauma and domestic abuse. I bring extensive professional experience supporting people with complex needs across mental health, social housing and rehabilitation settings.
This breadth of experience has shaped a holistic and well-rounded approach, deepening my understanding of trauma through an intersectional lens, meaning I consider how different aspects of identity and environment can shape a person’s experience of trauma
I’m currently training in Somatic-Informed Trauma Therapy, which helps us as therapists to understand how trauma can be held in the body as well as in the mind. Trauma often shows up as tension, discomfort, emotional overwhelm, and repeated patterns; the body remembers even when the mind tries to forget. Somatic-informed therapy gives tools to help your nervous system feel safe, release tension, and slowly heal from past trauma.
Related Expertise
I’m also a Reiki practitioner (iii) with experiential knowledge of Kundalini and spiritual emergence. While I don’t work primarily with energetic healing or give direct spiritual support, I welcome clients who wish to integrate a spiritual dimension into our sessions, and I hold space with respect and sensitivity for individual beliefs and experiences.
Focus & Approach
I take an integrative approach to counselling, combining person-centered with a trauma-informed perspective. This means I focus on understanding your experiences, your needs, and the impact of your environment and relationships, while supporting you in a way that feels safe and empowering. Where helpful, we can also use therapeutic art to explore feelings that are hard to put into words.
Part of my work is also helping clients recognise patterns of harm in relationships and communication, things like manipulation, gaslighting, triangulation, or smear campaigns. These are subtle but very real ways that people can be hurt psychologically, and understanding them can be an important part of rebuilding confidence and trust in yourself.
My practice is inclusive, and I hold space with understanding and respect for neurodivergent clients, people living with disability or chronic illness, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. I recognise that each person’s lived experience is shaped by many intersecting factors, and that feeling truly seen and accepted is a vital part of healing.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a space that honours who you are, your experiences, and your pace, and to support you in reclaiming autonomy, resilience, and confidence as you move through your healing journey.
What to Expect in Sessions
While I offer space for you to speak freely, this therapy isn’t just about talking or being quietly listened to. The work is collaborative and responsive. Depending on your needs, we may explore how past experiences are showing up in the present, support nervous system regulation, work creatively, or trace patterns that may be limiting your sense of self. I may also offer gentle psychoeducation to help you understand your trauma responses, attachment patterns and nervous system, empowering you with knowledge as part of your healing journey.
Ethical Standards
I work in accordance with the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), ensuring client safety, autonomy, and confidentiality throughout the therapeutic process. To maintain best practice, I engage in regular clinical supervision and actively undertake continuing professional development (CPD), including additional training, workshops, and reflective practice. This ensures that my work remains ethical, up-to-date, and responsive to the evolving needs of those I support. I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Final note
Healing from trauma can feel complex because it affects not just the mind, but the body, emotions, and relationships. I understand this both through my professional training and my own lived experience, which allows me to truly empathise with the challenges of recovery.
Through therapy and the tools I offer, my aim is to help you feel seen, heard, and understood, recognise patterns of harm, especially when it is hidden and difficult to make sense of; and find ways to reclaim your sense of safety and self-trust. Healing is holistic, and recovery isn’t just about surviving; it’s about becoming stronger, more resilient, and more fully yourself.
"When I first started counselling with Kirsty, I had just come out of a 25-year abusive relationship and didn’t know who I was anymore. She helped me recognise the abuse, understand how it affected my life, and gave me the tools to rebuild myself. With her support, I’ve gained confidence, learned to set boundaries, and face challenges in a healthier way. I feel like I’m finally becoming the person I never thought I could be, and I am so grateful to her for walking with me on this journey."
Asha
