Home-Start supporting families & young children for over 30 years! |

Counselling Service

Learn about our counselling service

At Home-Start, we offer a counselling provision for parents and carers who are receiving or have received support from a home-vising volunteer and engaged with our service.

This service gives you the opportunity to work with a volunteer Counsellor who listens, supports, and helps you feel more in control, so you can make choices and decisions that are right for you and your family. Getting support as a parent is not just about your own wellbeing; feeling supported, confident, and emotionally healthy also helps your whole family thrive.

Counselling takes place in safe and welcoming community venues which are also used for our Family Groups at same time. Childcare is available and provided by an allocated volunteer at the Family Group, your little one is safe and having fun whilst you are having time and space to concentrate on yourself.  

We aim to remove barriers to accessing support and promote positive mental health. We also offer online sessions for anyone who cannot attend in person, making support flexible and accessible.

Parents and carers who have used our counselling service have said they sought therapy for challenges such as stress and anxiety, relationship issues, or a loss of identity outside of parenthood, as well as other difficulties including bereavement, depression, or life changes. The therapy is offered for up to 12 weeks, and we use a sliding scale payment system based on household income, ensuring that support is available to everyone who needs it.

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Counselling service areas

Being a parent can feel really tough at times. If you’re waiting for, or already receiving, support from Home-Start and life just feels too much — maybe your thoughts are hard to untangle, or you don’t feel able to talk to those around you — you don’t have to go through it alone. Our Counselling Service is here to listen and support you for many different reasons, including:

"My reason for counselling changed dramatically within weeks of the sessions beginning. My counsellor adapted the change in my situation with ease & it gave me the chance to offload all of my emotions & difficulties in a safe, secure & comfortable way."

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Leah Sam's story...

Rebuilding Confidence Through Counselling

Leah, a mum of two, was referred to Home-Start’s counselling service while receiving support from a home-visiting volunteer. She was struggling with anxiety and anger, which were affecting her relationship and her confidence as a parent. Leah had a mental health diagnosis that made her feel ashamed, and she often judged herself harshly, questioning whether she was doing anything right.

In counselling, Leah worked with her counsellor to set goals and explore the patterns behind her thoughts and behaviours. Using CBT techniques, they focused on understanding her triggers and how anxiety was affecting her body and mind. Through breathing exercises and gentle reflection, Leah began to feel more in control.

Her counsellor helped her recognise what she was doing well and supported her in building self-belief. Leah started to accept herself as a good mother and saw positive changes in her relationship and day-to-day life. With her anxiety under control and a better understanding of herself, Leah now feels more confident in her parenting and more hopeful about the future.

Disclaimer: Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the people featured in the case studies

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You’re not alone - we’re here to help

Whatever you’re facing, we’ll walk alongside you with care and understanding.

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The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so that no child’s future is limited.

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Contact

Company Number 05385393

Charity Number 1108847

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Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers
The Lord-Lieutentant’s Charity Hub
6 Hercules Way
Leavesden
Watford
WD25 7GS

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