You don’t know
what to do?

Find your counselling centre here:

... Or do you have a problem
that is extremely distressing?

Parental counselling helps!

Sometimes you find yourself in way over your head and don’t know how to solve a messy situation. And often enough, you think you have to deal with everything yourself. But with expert help, it can be so much easier.

Whatever it is that is stressing you and your children:

We are here for parents, single mothers and fathers and their children.

Parental counselling helps! Free of charge, confidential, near you.

Voluntary

Confidential

Free of charge

You can find out how it works here ...

Parental counselling helps!

Whatever it is that is distressing you: Please contact a counselling centre near you. We are also available to assist parents of children with disabilities. And we are here for your children, too, offering a variety of support options.

 

Parents come to us, for example, when…

  • they have an infant or toddler and are not sure whether he or she is developing well, whether they are dealing with him or her properly, or if they want to know what to look out for.
  • they have a toddler who is defiant, afraid, perhaps behaving aggressively, and not getting along in kindergarten.
  • their daughter or son has difficulties in school, is withdrawn, has no one to play with, has psychosomatic complaints such as stomach ache, can’t sleep….
  • they separate and do not know how to face their children in this stressful situation.
  • they are single parents, and their current living situation is becoming too much for them.
  • violence and helplessness are destroying their lives, abuse is suspected, and they cannot find a way out.
  • they live in a patchwork family and the new constellation is anything but easy.

 

You can rely on the following:

  • Experts work at each counselling centre. They are all very familiar with issues, problems and difficulties that can arise in families and when raising children. They are available to assist you and your child for as long as you want support.
  • We are subject to confidentiality! You can have absolute confidence in this.
  • The counselling is free of charge for you.
  • We are here for all families, regardless of religion or nationality.

 

Please contact us!

You can contact a counselling centre near you by phone, email, or in person. Please enter your postal code in the search field; nearby counselling centres will be displayed here.
You will find more information there, in order to get in touch.

Talk to us! Kontaktwolken Icon

Talk to us! Kontaktwolken Icon

Please get in contact with us. It may not be easy at first to confide in someone and tell them your problem. Often, you may feel uncomfortable because you think you should be able to do it better. But to accompany children well on their way despite all the demands and not to get left behind yourself is a major task.

You are not alone; many parents feel the same way. The various tasks in your work and family alone require many a balancing act. We would like to encourage you to get the support you deserve!

Spending the whole time on the computer and smartphone ...
Sabine B., mother of Finn, age 13

Sabine B., mother of Finn, age 13

 

I turned to the counselling centre because Finn and I had fights almost every day at home. This was mainly about his use of the computer and smartphone, which I found too excessive and he found completely normal. I was very worried that he might be addicted to media and about how that would play out …

I wanted him to be more involved with other things, but couldn’t get to him at all. During counselling, I learned that many families have the same problem. I couldn’t convince Finn to come to counselling with me. But I have learned to approach the issue with new perspectives and strategies. And I also started to get interested in what Finn was spending his time on. So, in the end, we managed to reach out to each other and jointly set up a few rules that apply to everyone.

 

Overwhelmed at school …
Susanne M., mother of Janis, age 12

Susanne M., mother of Janis, age 12

 

My son Janis attends the sixth grade in secondary school. After a good start, he did not do well anymore when he had to learn a second foreign language. His performance deteriorated a lot, not only in foreign languages. Janis became more and more unhappy and didn’t like going to school anymore. The class teacher recommended that we go to the counselling centre.

At the counselling centre, Janis was tested to see if he might be overwhelmed, but also to find out in what areas he needed support. Together with the counsellor, we planned the next steps to relieve and support our son.
For example, he now receives targeted tutoring. His daily routine and leisure activities have been better adapted to the demands at school, so that he has periods of relaxation but can also meet friends. By now, Janis brings home better grades, and he also enjoys going to school again.

 

School stressful for the whole family …
Petra and Bernd W., parents of Tim, age 17

Petra and Bernd W., parents of Tim, age 17

 

A year ago, we were totally desperate because Tim, our son, more and more often refused to go to school. We tried everything: from talking, discussing and promising rewards to scolding and threatening. Not only was Tim miserable, but so were we as a family. In the evening, my husband and I did nothing but argue. Due to this difficult situation, our family was in danger of breaking up.
We as parents then went to the counselling centre, where we found someone who listened to us and asked the right questions. Tim then also came along – first with us and later alone. We were glad that Tim had found someone he could confide in. We also needed that support, so that we could reconnect as parents and as a couple.
As a result of counselling, Tim has decided to change schools and is motivated to prepare for graduation. He has plans for the future again.

 

Divorced. What about our child?
Uwe G., father of Rebecca, age 5

Uwe G., father of Rebecca, age 5

 

My wife and I separated two years ago. We have a five-year-old daughter. In the beginning, it worked out well with the right of access and visitation. We as parents were able to coordinate without stress.
However, ever since my ex has found a new life partner, it has become increasingly difficult to compromise with her. She cancelled my weekends with Rebecca. And my daughter also wanted to stay with her mother rather than spend time with me. I was desperate because I felt that I was losing my daughter more and more. I had no idea what to do about it.
Parental counselling has helped me have better conversations with my ex-wife. We were supported very well and learned to remain good parents despite the separation and many changes. 
It is not always easy, but with good counselling I am better able to handle difficult situations.

 

It’s just all too much ...
Anna N., mother of Janina, age 13, and Tobias, age 16

Anna N., mother of Janina, age 13, and Tobias, age 16

 

I am a single mother of two teenagers. My ex-husband is an alcoholic. That was also the reason why I left him six years ago. He doesn’t take care of our children.
A year ago, everything changed. My daughter regularly freaks out and can’t be contained. I have already tried quite a lot to reach her again, but all to no avail. My son was already very annoyed and put me under massive pressure that his sister’s behaviour was not normal and that I had to do something. The children’s father is not interested and says he has enough problems of his own … and that I had decided to raise the children alone, so I should live with the consequences.
I have found a good place of refuge in the counselling centre. I can talk to my counsellor about everyday difficulties with my children. He gives me advice and listens to me when things get too much with my kids again. Sometimes I am angry, sometimes I am sad, and I can discuss all of that with my counsellor. He also practices methods with me on how to stay calmer.

 

How to cope as a foster family?
Andrea and Silke S., foster parents of Simon, age 7, and Maja, age 1

Andrea and Silke S., foster parents of Simon, age 7, and Maja, age 1

 

Simon came into our family when he was just under three years old. We do not have children of our own and were very happy about the new family member. Simon has a difficult history: He initially lived for a year and a half with his mom, who is an addict. After she hit rock bottom, he lived with his father, who, however, then turned to the youth welfare office because he was not able to bear the responsibility in his life situation.
Simon was initially very calm, tense, but also quite self-sufficient. He passively accepted physical contact and attention. We went to the counselling centre after six months on the recommendation of another foster family because Simon suddenly couldn’t sleep, wouldn’t listen to us, and started throwing tantrums.
The counselling centre has supported us for a few years now and helps us a lot! We can better deal with the behaviours and feelings of Simon and better understand his development. We also sought further support. Simon also got an offer to go to a children’s group there, and we were assisted a great deal when he started school.
In the meantime, we have a second foster child, Maja. In this case, we also approached the counselling centre with our questions right from the start, for example: How is Simon getting along with his sister? How do we deal with the issue of Simon’s birth parents and his mother, who is now very ill?
We know by now that life in a foster family can be turbulent. And that’s where it does a lot of good to have a reliable and expert point of contact.

 

Contact Lupe Icon

Contact Lupe Icon

You decide which form of counselling suits you best – whether in person or anonymous, on site or online, if you prefer. Here, you can find the way that suits you best and a counselling centre near you.