Our Story
At Beside, our story began with a vision to transform workplaces through empathy, support, and collaboration. We believe in the power of trauma-informed care (TIC) practices to create environments where growth and healing and empowerment can flourish.
Picture a workplace where understanding trauma is integral, and every interaction is guided by compassion. This is our mission: to embed trauma-informed care principles in everything we do, ensuring psychological safety and understanding for all
From the start, we’ve been committed to being right beside our clients, offering not just expertise but true partnership. By focusing on relationships and empathetic collaboration, we help organisations and individuals achieve meaningful milestones and lasting positive impacts.
Today, Beside exemplifies what can be achieved when we support one another. Join us in creating a community dedicated to psychological safety, relationship-oriented 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.