Business Details
37 Years
experience
Supporting Women Recovering from Childhood Sexual Abuse in Leicester
The Quetzal Project was founded in 1989 as a self-help group and has evolved into a professional support service for women recovering from childhood sexual abuse. Our trauma-informed approach prioritises safety, inclusivity, and empowerment through free counselling, support groups, and community outreach. With over three decades of experience, we specialise in addressing the unique challenges faced by female survivors, including transgender women. Our all-female staff and volunteer team create a secure environment for healing, offering tailored support that avoids re-traumatisation.We collaborate with local organisations to raise awareness and challenge societal stigma surrounding abuse. Our services extend across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, with outreach initiatives targeting specific communities including LGBTQ+ survivors and young adults aged 16-24. As a registered charity (1141890), we maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.
Services
Counselling
EMDR Therapy
Support Groups
Emotional Support
Outreach Programmes
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years' experience specialising in trauma recovery for female survivors
- Our all-female team provides gender-specific, trauma-informed care
- We offer free long-term counselling with no time limits on support
- Our community outreach programmes address specific needs of marginalised survivors
- We maintain strict adherence to BACP ethical standards for professional counselling
Associations and certifications
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Services
Counselling
Our professional counselling services provide long-term support for women recovering from childhood sexual abuse. Sessions are delivered by qualified therapists using trauma-informed approaches that prioritise safety and avoid re-traumatisation. We offer both individual and group therapy options with no time limits on support duration.
EMDR Therapy
Specialised EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy helps survivors process traumatic memories. This evidence-based approach is particularly effective for complex trauma resulting from childhood abuse. Our trained therapists use this technique to help clients reprocess distressing experiences in a safe environment.
Support Groups
Counsellor-led group sessions create safe spaces for survivors to share experiences and build supportive networks. These sessions foster peer connection while maintaining professional guidance. Participants benefit from collective healing experiences and shared coping strategies in an all-female environment.
Emotional Support
Ongoing emotional support includes regular check-ins and telephone support for women awaiting counselling. Our trained volunteers provide empathetic listening and practical guidance during critical periods. This service offers immediate assistance while maintaining strict confidentiality protocols.
Outreach Programmes
Our outreach initiatives deliver trauma-informed education and support across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Programmes target specific communities including LGBTQ+ survivors and young adults aged 16-24. We collaborate with local organisations to challenge stigma and improve access to specialist support services.
People
Deborah
Chief Executive Officer
Deborah leads The Quetzal Project's strategic direction with extensive experience in managing trauma-informed services. She oversees service delivery and organisational development while maintaining our core values of inclusivity and survivor-centred care.
Shabnum
Clinical Lead
Shabnum manages clinical operations and supervises our therapy team. With specialist training in trauma recovery, she ensures all services adhere to the highest professional standards while maintaining a compassionate approach to survivor care.
Fazeela Patel
Trustee
Fazeela brings her expertise as a trauma counsellor and BACP member to The Quetzal Project's governance. With years of experience supporting abuse survivors, she contributes valuable clinical insights to our strategic decision-making processes.
Naomi Howard
Safeguarding Advisor
Naomi provides specialist safeguarding expertise as both a trustee and qualified therapist. Her dual perspective informs our safety protocols and ensures best practices in protecting vulnerable clients throughout our services.
Bushra Ali
Trustee
Bushra contributes her legal expertise in human rights and domestic abuse to The Quetzal Project's governance. As a solicitor specialising in immigration and safeguarding, she strengthens our commitment to protecting survivors' rights and welfare.
Questions
What services does The Quetzal Project offer for survivors?
We provide free counselling, EMDR therapy, support groups, emotional support calls, and outreach programmes specifically for women recovering from childhood sexual abuse.
How can I access The Quetzal Project's services?
You can self-refer through our website or contact us directly via phone. We also accept referrals from professionals and concerned individuals.
Do you offer online or telephone counselling?
Yes, we provide remote counselling options alongside in-person sessions to ensure accessible support for all survivors across our service areas.
Are services available for transgender women?
Yes, we explicitly welcome and support all women including transgender women, providing inclusive and affirming care for all survivors.
What areas do you cover?
Our services operate across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland with dedicated outreach programmes in Market Harborough, Charnwood, Melton, and North West Leicestershire.
How is The Quetzal Project funded?
As a registered charity (1141890), we rely on donations, grants, and partnerships to maintain our free services. We also offer private counselling options to support our charitable work.
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