A NEW private counselling practice has opened for mums and dads at the Wellbeing at the Wishing Well centre in Bromsgrove.

Qualified parent counsellor and mental health support worker Jessy Paston, from Droitwich, has launched the service in St John Street to help families through the difficult transition to parenthood.

Jessy said: "Becoming a parent means accepting a new identity, new responsibilities and a new way of life. As I discovered myself when I had my two children, that can be hugely overwhelming, even with your very best efforts and when the children are older.

"Often it is the mum who needs a listening ear, or sometimes the dad.

"I offer the expert friendly support I wished had been available to me. It’s so important that new parents can enjoy this precious time, and learn to be their real self.”

Jessy, who is also a professional photographer, incorporates phototherapy and therapeutic photography assignments into her work.

She said: "Therapeutic photography is quite a new idea, but the results can be effective.

"Photo assignments such as clients taking photos of things they are grateful for, or a self-portrait, can be enlightening but not overwhelming. Or they can have photos taken in a safe, therapy session environment, helping them see themselves in a different way.

"This has been particularly helpful for those with body image issues or after surgery.”

Sessions are available to book in six-week packages, with a 'Pay What You Can' scheme also available for low income parents who book before December 31.

For more information email jessy@paston.biz or visit jessypaston.biz.