Meet Our Experienced Counselling Team
Our Directors
Michelle Green Director of Clinical Operations
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Michelle is the founder of Survivors Support and co-founder of L&M Counselling Training, with over 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, adults, and families affected by trauma, abuse and emotional distress.
Her background includes work within schools, mental health services, community agencies, private practice, and counselling training. Alongside her therapeutic work, Michelle has held leadership roles within both educational and corporate settings, including project leadership through Place2Be and management roles within the banking sector.
Michelle also runs a private counselling practice, with experience tutoring CPCAB courses. She holds a Level 5 Safeguarding qualification. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, ethical practice, combining professional expertise with lived understanding of adversity to create safe and empowering support services.
if you would like to know more about her work please go to
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Laura is an experienced counsellor, psychotherapist, and trainer with over 30 years of professional practice in the field of mental health, sexual violence and personal development.
Her work is grounded in a wide range of therapeutic theories, allowing her to take an integrative and flexible approach tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Laura has extensive experience supporting clients through complex emotional and relational challenges, including trauma. She is known for her warm, insightful, and balanced style—combining compassion with thoughtful challenge to help clients develop deeper self-awareness and create meaningful, lasting change.
If you would like to know more about her work please go to
Lesley Reece Director of Safeguarding and Counselling
Laura Joanknecht Director of Training and Clinical Practice
Lesley Reece Director of Safeguarding and Counselling
Lesley is a fully qualified integrative counsellor with 20 years of experience supporting individuals through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.
She specialises in the field of sexual violence and drugs and alcohol with experience of working with adults and young people aged 16 and over,
Her integrative approach means she draws on different therapeutic models to tailor her work to each client’s unique needs. She brings a wealth of professional experience to her work with us.
If you would like to know more about her work please go to
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver confidential, respectful trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual violence, ensuring each individual receives the right level of care tailored to their needs, promoting recovery, empowerment, and long-term wellbeing. We are committed to providing safe, inclusive, and accessible services that respond to the diverse experiences of those we support. Alongside this, we aim to create sustainable, paid opportunities for qualified counsellors working in this field, recognising the importance of supporting those who provide vital care. Through partnerships with government agencies, businesses, through our community interest company and private sector work, we strive to strengthen the support system for survivors while building a skilled and resilient workforce.
Our Structure
Survivors Support works alongside Bee-lieve Survivors CIC and L&M Counselling Training to provide connected trauma-informed services for survivors, practitioners and organisations.
Our community interest company focused on accessible support, wellbeing, placements and community impact.
Our therapeutic and organisational wellbeing services including private counselling and workplace support.
Providing CPCAB counselling training, trauma-informed development and professional learning opportunities.
Together, we aim to create ethical, accessible and sustainable pathways for recovery, wellbeing and professional growth.
Client Feedback
“I finally see myself as a strong, resilient and compassionate woman... I finally believe I am worthy of a good life.”
“I am forever grateful for the work you have done with me. My life feels calm and hopeful again.”
