Our Story
At Beside, our journey began with a commitment to revolutionise workplaces through empathy, support, and collaboration. We believe that integrating trauma-sensitive workplace (TSW) principles is essential for fostering environments where growth, healing, and empowerment can flourish.
Imagine a workplace where understanding trauma is fundamental, and every interaction is guided by compassion. This vision drives us to embed TSW principles into all aspects of our work, ensuring psychological safety and comprehension for everyone.
From the outset, we’ve been dedicated to standing beside our clients, offering not just expertise but genuine partnership.
By prioritizing relationships and empathetic collaboration, we assist organizations and individuals in reaching meaningful milestones and achieving lasting positive outcomes.
‘Beside’ stands for Belonging, Equanimity, Safety, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity—these are the foundation of our mission. They guide us in creating workplaces where every individual feels valued and supported.
Today, Beside embodies the potential realized when we support one another. We invite you to join us in fostering a community committed to psychological safety, relationship-centred approaches, and unwavering support.
Vision
Our vision is to be a trusted partner and leader in the field of trauma-informed care. We strive to promote inclusion and belonging across all industries and sectors by providing innovative solutions, thought leadership, and best practices.
Mission
Our mission is to help organizations create and maintain diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. We believe everyone deserves equal access to opportunities and resources, and we’re committed to working alongside our clients to create positive change.
Values
We are guided by the following core values in all of our work.
Our goal is to support organizations in creating more inclusive, fair, and safer workplaces where everyone can thrive. Including psychological safety is key to this, ensuring that everyone feels secure enough to be themselves, share ideas, and speak up without fear of judgment or repercussion.
Esther van der Sande
For over 20 years, Esther van der Sande has been a beacon of support, guiding organizations and individuals through change and psychological challenges. As a seasoned consultant, trainer, and trauma therapist, Esther’s journey began with over a decade as a corporate executive. She later founded various private ventures, including Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Australia and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga in the Netherlands.
Esther brings a more holistic approach to the mental well-being of employees within organizations. Her mission is to raise awareness of emotional diversity and cultivate cultures that nurture psychological safety. This environment empowers employees, enabling them to feel secure and supported, ready to embrace change.
Currently, Esther is working on her first book about trauma-sensitive workplaces and community, exploring how each of us can contribute to a safer society through effective communication. She is frequently invited to speak on these topics, sharing her insights and expertise with diverse audiences.