Parenting Support Counselling in Worthing & Online
Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding things in life, and also one of the hardest. If you’re feeling stretched, worried or unsure of yourself, you’re far from alone.
Whether you’re adjusting to life with a new baby, struggling with a child’s behaviour, navigating the teenage years, co-parenting after separation, or simply feeling that you’ve lost your way, I offer a calm, supportive space where you can talk things through without judgement. We can meet in person in Goring-by-Sea or Worthing, or online.
What Parenting Struggles Can Feel Like
Parenting can bring up feelings you never expected. You might feel exhausted, overwhelmed or short-tempered, and then find yourself feeling guilty for feeling that way. You may compare yourself to other parents and worry that you're getting it wrong.
You can love your child deeply and still find parenting difficult. It's possible to be grateful for your family while also missing parts of the life you had before becoming a parent.
Some days it can feel as though everyone else is coping and you're the only one finding it hard. In reality, many parents feel exactly the same but don't talk about it, often because they're worried about being judged or don't want others to think they're failing.
The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We all have moments when we lose our patience, get things wrong or wish we had handled a situation differently. What's important isn't getting it right all the time. It's being able to recognise when things haven't gone as we'd hoped, repair those moments with our children, and move forward together.
If any of this sounds familiar, please know you're not alone. Parenting is one of the most rewarding things we can do, but it can also be one of the most challenging.
Parenting a new baby
Bringing a new baby into your life can be wonderful, but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming and very different from what you expected. The early days of parenthood often bring sleepless nights, constant demands and little time to rest or think about your own needs.
You may be adjusting to a huge change in your identity, your relationships and your daily life. It's common to feel joy, love, frustration, loneliness and self-doubt, sometimes all at the same time.
If you're finding the transition to parenthood harder than you expected, you're not alone. Many new parents struggle in silence, worried that admitting they're finding it difficult means they're doing something wrong. In reality, adjusting to life with a new baby can be one of the biggest changes we ever face.
When you’ve lost sight of yourself
When so much of your time and energy goes into caring for others, it's easy to lose sight of your own needs. You may feel you've lost touch with who you were before becoming a parent, or that there's little time for yourself, your relationship, or the things that once felt important to you.
Parenting can also bring up memories and experiences from your own childhood, sometimes in ways that take you by surprise. You may find yourself questioning the kind of parent you want to be, repeating patterns you'd hoped to avoid, or feeling affected by things you thought you'd left behind.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many parents find themselves trying to balance caring for their children while also working out who they are and what they need.
How counselling can help
Parenting isn't something we're meant to do all alone. Sometimes having a space to pause, reflect and talk openly about what you're carrying can make all the difference.
Whether you're coping with the demands of a new baby, navigating the challenges of raising older children, or trying to balance everybody else's needs with your own, counselling offers a space where you can be completely honest about how things are for you.
Together, we can make sense of what's going on, explore any worries or difficulties you're facing, and help you reconnect with your own strengths and resources. My aim isn't to tell you how to parent, but to support you in finding a way forward that feels right for you and your family.
Many people find that when they feel more settled in themselves, it becomes easier to respond to their children with the patience and warmth they want to give.
You can read more in my blog, What happens when your children leave home?
What it’s like to work with me
Before becoming a counsellor, I worked for many years as a nurse and health visitor. I’ve also volunteered with Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Support. I’ve sat with many people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and I know the difference it can make simply to be heard.
Sessions last 50 minutes and you decide what we talk about. Some weeks you might arrive with a lot to say. Other weeks you may not know where to start, and that’s fine too. We can meet in my quiet, cosy campervan in Goring-by-Sea, a few minutes from the seafront, or you can have online counselling from home if that feels easier.
Nothing you bring is too much, too messy or too small.
When you’re ready to talk
If you’re finding parenting hard and think it might help to talk, I offer a free 30-minute introductory session. It’s a relaxed conversation, with no pressure to share anything you’re not ready to, and a chance to see whether working together feels right.
You don’t need to know what to say. “I’d like to book the free chat” is enough.