Mental Health, Advocacy and counselling – Afghan Association Paiwand

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Mental Health, Advocacy
and counselling

Culturally Sensitive Counselling Services in North West London

Who We Support & Why It Matters

Guidance for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in London.

Our Mental Health Counsellors are BACP-qualified professionals, delivering culturally sensitive counselling and emotional wellbeing support in multiple languages.

Our aim is to create a safe and understanding space where people can speak freely in their own language.
Through culturally sensitive and trauma-informed therapy, clients can:

Our counseling service is open to:

All refugees and asylum seekers who need emotional support and guidance.
Young people aged 15 to 30 from refugee or migrant backgrounds living, working, or studying.
New arrivals from Afghanistan since August 2021

Get Mental health support

We also advocate for better access to mental health services for refugees and asylum seekers by working with professionals and local authorities.

All our mental health counsellors are fully registered members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), ensuring the highest professional and ethical standards of care.

Here to make every step a little easier.

How We Can Help You

Our Mental Health and Counselling Team is here to help you cope with emotional challenges, trauma, and the stress of rebuilding life in a new country.
We focus on understanding, cultural sensitivity, and practical support — helping you find peace, confidence, and strength to move forward.

Emotional Support & Counselling

Our experienced counsellors provide free one-to-one sessions in English, Dari, Farsi, and (when available) Pashto.
We help you work through anxiety, depression, trauma, and loss in a safe, confidential space where you can speak in your own language and feel understood.

Advocacy & Guidance

We stand beside you in accessing mental health and community resources.
Our advocates can help you:

Communicate with GPs or mental health services
Understand your rights to emotional and psychological support

Community & Group Support

Healing doesn’t have to happen alone.
Paiwand offers psycho-educational workshops and peer support groups, where people with shared experiences can learn new skills, reduce isolation, and rebuild confidence together.

Young People’s Counselling

We provide counselling for young people aged 15–30 from refugee and migrant backgrounds, especially those living, working, or studying in Harrow.

We work with trusted partners who share our commitment to empowering refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.

Around 68% of referrals come from NHS Talking Therapies, CMHT teams, social prescribers, GPs, and hospitals.
We collaborate closely with local colleges and children’s services to reach young people and families in need of support.
Our strong relationships with GP practices and VCSE partners help ensure joined-up, person-centred care.

Helping people from every community

At Paiwand, we follow an inclusive approach that welcomes clients from every community and background. Our Mental Health and Advocacy services are designed to meet the needs of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers facing a wide range of challenges.

If you require regulated assistance with any immigration issue, please contact our team to discuss how we can help.

Why Choose Therapy?

Some people prefer not to see a therapist because of feelings of mistrust, guilt, shame, or embarrassment about what has happened to them, but also due to the intensity of feelings when discussing their experiences.

BACP-Qualified ProfessionalsOur Mental Health Counsellors are BACP-qualified professionals, delivering culturally sensitive counselling and emotional wellbeing support
Fully Trained AdvisorAs well as setting up a psycho-educational community to help people learn new skills and access support, we also provide talking therapies in Dari, Farsi, Pashto, and English. This enables therapists to hold conversations in clients’ own languages wherever possible.
Advisors with Lived ExperienceMany of our team members have personally experienced migration or displacement. This gives us a deep understanding of the emotional and practical challenges you face.
Multilingual SupportWe speak English, Dari, Pashto, and Farsi, ensuring language is never a barrier to getting help or understanding your rights.

Talk to our Team

Testimonial

In Their Own Words

The training session led by Ramzia from Paiwand on the Asylum Process and providing culturally sensitive therapy to the Afghan community was incredibly insightful. Ramzia shared invaluable knowledge about the unique challenges faced by Afghan asylum seekers, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural nuances and trauma-informed care. Her practical approach to therapy, paired with real-life examples, gave a deep understanding of how to effectively support individuals from this community. The session not only enhanced my understanding of the asylum process but also emphasized the significance of empathy and respect when delivering therapeutic services to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Training – Professional from Barnet Talking therapy
“As our sessions come to an end, I want to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart and to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible support you’ve given me throughout my therapy journey. Your unwavering support, compassion and understanding during this journey have been truly invaluable. You’ve helped me feel seen, heard, and understood in ways I never thought possible. You have an incredible gift for making people feel seen and understood, and your compassion has been a constant source of comfort for me and for that, I am deeply grateful. Thank you for creating a safe space where I could share, heal, and grow. Your kindness and insight have made a lasting impact on my life, and I’ll carry your words of encouragement and wisdom with me always. As our sessions come to an end, I want you to know how much I appreciate the care, kindness, and wisdom you’ve shared. You’ve left a lasting impact on my life, and I’ll always be grateful for the time we spent together. Thank you for everything, and I wish you continued success and fulfilment in all that you do. With heartfelt gratitude.”
A.A
از پیوند تشکر میکنم که در جریان این مدت با مهربانی، صبر و دلسوزی در کنارم بودین. مشاوره با شما برایم تجربه‌ای ارزشمند و آموزنده بود. در این مدت یاد گرفتم که چطور احساسات خود را بهتر درک کنم، آرام‌تر فکر کنم و برای خودم ارزش بیشتری قایل شوم.

احساس می‌کنم که حالا در مسیر بهبود قرار گرفته‌ام و می‌خواهم ادامهٔ راه را به تنهایی تجربه کنم. از همهٔ توجه و حمایت شما صمیمانه سپاسگزارم و برایتان آرزوی خوشبختی و آرامش دارم
FS
“You taught me how to be kind to myself and I will always be grateful for that. Thank you.”
A happier H
“Absolutely outstanding experience with my mental health counsellor. Her support, expertise, and genuine care has made a profound difference in my life. From the very first session, I felt understood and valued. Her deep understanding and insightful guidance have helped me navigate through challenges with clarity and confidence. I am truly grateful for her unwavering support and highly recommend her services to anyone seeking compassionate and effective counselling.”
Counselling Client

Get Involved

Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Every act of kindness helps someone find stability, safety, and hope. Whether you want to volunteer your time, share your skills, or make a donation, your support helps Paiwand continue providing essential services to refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants across London.

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