Rebecca Mitchell is one of the original co-founders of Into The Light. She started the organisation because having been a victim of sexual abuse herself she wanted to provide a place in her community of hope and strength. Rebecca trained at City University and Westminster Pastoral Foundation with qualifications in Counselling and Group Work Facilitation. She is a member of Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), Trauma & Abuse Group, (TAG) and an Associate Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Rebecca has run Into the Light programmes since 1993 and has facilitated them in various counselling services in London, in addition to training other facilitators to run the groups. She has also worked effectively with victims of domestic violence and has sat on the Management Committee of Survivors UK – a service that supports men who have experienced sexual abuse. Rebecca has had articles published in several publications on Sexual Abuse and related topics including the BACP magazines “Therapy Today” and “The Independent Practitioner”. She has also spoken on live radio and at conferences and community and youth groups on issues around sexual abuse and relationships.

Working alongside Rebecca is Janet McNish PG Dip. Janet is the Supervisor of Into The Light Programmes and also graduated from City University. Janet has qualifications in Counselling, Groupwork and Supervision. She is a Member of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), T.A.G. (Trauma & Abuse Group) and The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP). Janet has worked in Mental Health Management for over 12 years and has managed two mental health rehabilitation projects and was Clinical Service Director of a counselling service with a team of 20 counsellors in London. She is an experienced trainer and regular studio guest on live radio specialising in Sexual Abuse and bereavement and loss issues.

Also part of the Into The Light team:

Nicky Pallis has a BA in Psychology and later studied for a Diploma in Counselling at Thames Valley University. She specialised in working with teenagers and women affected by domestic violence. As well as counselling Nicky works for Islington Council as a Family Group Conference Co-ordinator.

Sadie Cissell studied for her Diploma in Counselling in London and has worked in several counselling services including West London Counselling Service. Sadie has also been involved in children’s and schools work and has set up several community based projects including a women’s support project in Fulham.

Leasa Merrill has obtained her Counselling Level Three Qualification at Canterbury College. She has worked at East Kent Rape Line and is also a Child Protection Officer. She is a part time lecturer in media and is currently studying to become a qualified lecturer.

Into The Light holds to all BACP and ACC ethics.