Our Team
We are so lucky to have such a great team here at SAND. Please find below a list of all our helpers. We would also like to say a big thank you to all our past team members as well.
Counsellors
My name is Sarah Willoughby and I joined the amazingly dedicated team at SAND in early 2022 as the counselling co-ordinator, which has been a privilege for me and was complimentary to my training as a counsellor through Heartwood Counselling & Psychotherapy/ My role has evolved and is ever expanding and has now progressed for me to join the counselling team as one of the counsellors.
I am also working alongside our CEO, Josie Knight building THRIVE and the Women’s Peer Support Groups ; co-facilitating a therapeutic women’s support group for victims of sexual abuse, offering a brave space for women to come together.
My job role is Integrated Support Coordinator – meaning many things and I will update here as soon as possible.
My name is Jonathan, and I am a counsellor and psychotherapist who moved to Devon in 2016 for a quiet life. But Devon, what have you done to me? Life isn’t quiet. It’s busy and bustling, and where does the time go? Devon you are a time-stealer. Why didn’t anyone warn me? Supposedly retiring from active life I find myself once more involved in the counselling field.
A field as full of needs calling to be heard as anywhere else. So this is what I aim to do. To be there for those who need hearing, listening and to be seen. Believed. I hope to put myself at your service. To be quiet and listen to that small quiet timid voice, or that raging, angry scream. Whatever you need to bring. For you to begin to hope and live again.
My name is Sandra Williamson. I have worked with adults, children and young people throughout my career. I have 35 years of Registered Nursing experience and 18 years working with education and health in schools as a School Nurse. My work involved health promotion, assessing, supporting, and safeguarding children and young people’s emotional and physical health.
Ten years ago, I trained as a Solihull Brief Approach Trainer. From this experience and a family bereavement, I started the journey of training to become a qualified integrative counsellor. I am now a holistic counsellor and I use a variety of approaches to cater for your needs. As a counsellor, I have worked with clients who have experienced trauma, childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse and those who have experienced domestic abuse. I now work in private practice and have the privilege of working with SAND clients. I am a registered member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).www.sandrawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk
My name is Sonia, am one of the dedicated counsellors working for SAND and one of the facilitators in the peer groups. I am also involved with a Charity that supports seriously ill children and children with special needs, supporting and maintaining both parents and siblings’ wellbeing and health care. I took the plunge to do some starter courses in Counselling to give me a deeper understanding.
I loved the training and knowledge I gained, often finding I had dealt with certain situations in a safe and empathic way, not always getting it right but more determined than ever, to listen more carefully, be realistic and set achievable goals. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with several very diverse agencies throughout my counselling journey, enabling me to connect, listen and look at ways in which I could further support my clients and the work we need to do.
My name is Camilla and I am a Level 4 qualified counsellor based in Ilfracombe, North Devon and an accredited member of the National Counselling Society. In addition to my role now with SAND,I am currently working online and by telephone. For clients who want to work face to face but are uneasy about working inside, I also offer walk-and-talk sessions in the beautiful and peaceful local surroundings and support SAND with the Brave Spaces initiative.
I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I am trained in several areas of therapy, including CBT, Gestalt and a range of creative techniques. Working in this way allows me to blend different approaches and tailor my work to each individual client. My practice is person-centred, meaning that I believe in building a strong client-counsellor relationship. camillaholroydcounsellor.com
My name is Rebecca, and I am a qualified counsellor with a Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling. I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I deeply believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship to heal past wounds and unlock our potential for positive change, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling life. I have experience supporting clients with domestic and sexual abuse, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, bereavement, relationship difficulties, and issues around sexuality.
Alongside my counselling work, I support women and children affected by domestic abuse through my role with North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA). I also lead therapeutic and female empowerment groups, including SAND’s support group for survivors of sexual violence, helping women develop assertiveness, healthy boundaries, and practical tools for change. Before becoming a counsellor, I worked as a journalist—an experience that deepened my ability to truly listen with empathy and kindness. www.magnoliacounselling.co.uk
EMDR
Hi my names Shaun, I am a BACP accredited integrative therapist and hold a Foundation Degree in Humanistic relational integrative therapy, as well as a Level 5 in CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I am part of the EMDR Team at SAND and my therapeutic work started after a career change feeling fed up of making money for a corporate company and much more interested in working with people and hearing their stories. So, in 2004 I began working with looked after children and young adults in Care and care leavers, as well as young carers and volunteering for many years at Young Devon.
My work evolved further into trauma therapy and from 2008 I worked for a number of Domestic Abuse Charities, such as NDADA, NHS, Splitz & Devon Domestic Abuse Support Service working with families affected by their experiences of domestic abuse.
The work with SAND gives me the opportunity to help clients to process and move forward from their trauma experiences by using an approach called EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming, which is a well researched evidence based approach that is both effective, tolerable and manageable way for clients to work with their experiences; here’s a link that describes more about EMDR.
Holding Sessions
My name is Emma, born in Wales but have lived in Cornwall for the last 30 years. I am a warm and caring person and always knew I wanted a profession where I could support people and listen to them and find out what they need and by offering a safe space working together we can do this.
I have been supporting people for over 19 years, and, I have worked for Cruse, Jeremiah’s Journey and Devon Carers alongside my own Private Practise. I am a person-Centred counsellor this means this is about you, how you feel, together we will find a way that supports you. I work in in a variety of ways to find the best outcome for you. Currently offering counselling and holding sessions for you within SAND.
Directors
Hi, my name is Angie and I am an expert Womb Healing Therapist, pioneering the way in healing the womb from disease, grief, and trauma. I first became involved with SAND as an online peer support facilitator, supporting Josie in the early days of building the organisation. Stepping into the role of Director allowed me to take a more hands-on approach, providing therapeutic guidance and support leadership.
A Shamanic Womb Healer, Yoga Teacher, Doula, Bee Keeper, and Priestess, I have over 25 years of experience in healing practices. I facilitate the Sanctuary of Sophia, a trauma-informed womb healing training company, where I share womb awakening, wisdom, and healing through 1:1 sessions, group work, online courses, and a team of five accredited associate teachers. The Sanctuary of Sophia offers CPD trainings in Shamanic Womb Massage, Tuning Forks for the Womb, Womb Wrapping, Yoni Steaming and Sacred Anointing, as well as our in-depth Shamanic Way of the Womb® online apprenticeship.
I originally founded the Kent Goddess Temple, which continues to hold seasonal ceremonies led by other women. In the wider community, I serve as a director and facilitator for charitable organisations providing peer support groups for survivors of abuse, rape, and domestic violence.
Another of my great passions is the Honeybee. I run the Bee Temple and Exmoor Apiary, where I teach natural and sacred beekeeping both in-person and online. In 2019, I brought to life The Bee Oracle Deck, a two-year creative journey. Currently, I am writing two books: The Musings of a Sacred Bee Priestess and The Shamanic Way of the Womb®.
For more on the mysteries of the bee, visit www.thebeetemple.co.uk
To explore womb healing, visit www.sanctuaryofsophia.co.uk
Director/Volunteer accountant
My name is Tricia and my working life began as a secretary including working for 11 years for the Company Secretary of the Whitbread Brewery. in addition, I have worked for a Professor of Nuclear Physics and the Nuclear Research Team at University of Surrey and a Professor of Pure Mathematics at Imperial College.
Subsequently I joined The Royal Bank of Canada where my first experience was in Human Resources and various Company Secretarial roles in a variety of large companies including insurance, commercial property surveyors, IT, the NHS and most recently Local Governments. In addition to being Company secretary, Director and Volunteer for SAND, I work as a Registrar for Wedding Ceremonies in Cornwall. I own a property on a development in the Cape Verde Islands and am on the Committee of the Members Association responsible for the financial accounts and liaison with the group’s solicitors in Portugal and Cape Verde.
Visionaries
Josie Knight — CEO & Director at SAND
My name is Josie and I’ve been the Visionary of SAND since January 2021. My background includes frontline roles in Probation, the Police, and the NHS, as well as working in Bristol as a Drug & Alcohol Specialist. Supporting both perpetrators and survivors gave me a wide perspective on the systemic gaps facing those affected by trauma.
After taking time in India and returning to my home town, Barnstaple in North Devon as a mother, I became committed to creating safe, healing-focused spaces for survivors of sexual violence. That vision grew SAND into what it is today – a service shaped by both professional rigour and deep care. I remain passionate about trauma-informed, community-rooted work that meets survivors where they are, with dignity and hope.
Counselling Coordinator
My name is Bev, and I moved to North Devon in 2007— a beautiful place to live and raise children. Time flies! Through personal experience, I know that talking therapies can change lives. I started at SAND as a volunteer last year and am now the Counselling Coordinator.
I’m passionate about mental health, wellbeing, and the mind-body connection. Currently, I’m studying to become a qualified counsellor. I love being in nature—walking, running, and sea swimming—as well as creating arts and crafts.
My role is varied, managing referrals from GPs, wellbeing teams, mental health services, and individuals seeking support for sexual violence. Reaching out to SAND can feel daunting but taking that first step is powerful. When you pick up the phone, I’m here to support you.
PAYE & Admin
My name is Emma Stevens, and I have worked professionally within the PAYE sector for many years, gaining extensive experience in payroll management, administration, and financial processes. After years of working in the sector, I decided to give back to my local community by volunteering with SAND as their in-house Payroll Support.
I have always felt passionate about supporting causes that make a difference, and joining SAND—an organisation providing vital services to those affected by trauma and sexual violence—has been a deeply rewarding opportunity. I’m excited to contribute my skills and knowledge to this much-needed service, knowing that my work will help ensure the financial aspect of SAND runs smoothly, allowing the team to focus on the important work they do.
It’s great to be part of a compassionate organisation that has such a positive impact on people’s lives, and I am so pleased to have found a way to contribute to its mission.