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  • approach-and-impact
  1. Who we are
  2. Approach and Impact

Approach and Impact

Our treatment centres in Stevenage and St Albans provides free intensive structured, abstinence-based, day treatment for adults with substance addictions: alcohol and illicit and non-illicit drugs and behavioural addictions such as: eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-harm, gambling, shopping/spending, relationships, love and sex); free crèche childcare (Stevenage based); and free therapy and support for family and friends. 

Our Approach

The Living Room’s structured day treatment offers client’s the hope of recovery whatever their addiction be to drugs, alcohol or to behaviours such as overeating, anorexia, bulimia, shoplifting, self-harm, gambling, relationships, love or sex.

Our approach incorporates:

Therapy within a group with that has a shared commitment to the goal of abstinence

The powerful motivational effect upon the individual that comes from this shared aspiration cannot be underestimated, as he/she is supported and challenged on a daily basis to grow, develop and overcome their illness.

Well recognised counselling and therapy practices

Our structured day treatment employs cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and solution focused therapy to enable clients to maintain motivation, manage their using triggers and sustain recovery.

A spiritual dimension to recovery

We actively encourage and support clients to embark on a spiritual journey as part of their recovery. In the 12-Step tradition we encourage clients to develop a relationship with a Higher Power (whether this be their own particular religion’s conceptions of God, or something more abstract such as human potential, love or nature). We have many times seen the inspiration, joy and comfort that clients have found through exploring the spiritual facet of their lives, whether through meditation, worship, prayer or contemplation.

Recovery services for all addictions

Whilst many come to us with addictions to drugs and alcohol, we also help those with behavioural addictions (e.g. eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, self-harm and relationship, love, sex, gambling, shopping, work and shoplifting addictions).

Fully qualified counsellors that have themselves recovered from addiction

Our recovery service staff are all fully qualified counsellors (diploma level or higher) and have each at least eight years of recovery from addiction.  This personal experience of addiction helps reinforce the integrity of the approach in the eyes of the clients.

“The fact that the counsellors here have been through it too puts you more at ease. You come here broken, scared and nervous and the first counsellor you meet is someone who says, ‘I’ve been there too’. When they said that to me I felt special that they were confiding in me with love. When you then go in to group and everyone introduces themselves to you it’s a feeling of total love. When you’ve come from a place of isolation and then step in to a room where everyone understands and shares with you it’s amazing.” A client of The Living Room

Help with practical matters

We provide support and advocacy with, amongst other things, reuniting with children in care, money management and debt, re-entering the workplace, family mediation.

Annual Report

Annual Report

Read more

Published: 5th December, 2017

Updated: 20th July, 2023

Author: Mark Wiseman

Independent Evaluation

Independent Evaluation

Read more

Published: 5th December, 2017

Author: Mark Wiseman

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Latest

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    Would you brave the cold for The Living Room?

    Join us for the St Albans Sleepout on Friday 10th November 2023 to support The Living Room and to raise awareness of homelessness in Hertfordshire.

  • The Blame Game - Amy Winehouse

    The Blame Game - Amy Winehouse

    Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil recently spoke out on Good Morning Britain about the blame he feels he received for her sad death.

  • How Second-Hand also means a Second-Chance at life

    How Second-Hand also means a Second-Chance at life

    We are taking part in Oxfam's Second-Hand September campaign to highlight how the fabulous second-hand items donated and sold in our charity shop directly funds addiction treatment, providing people with a second chance at life.

  • Our Charity Shop is Grandly Announced Open!

    Our Charity Shop is Grandly Announced Open!

    On Tuesday 29th August, we celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of our newly refurbished Charity Shop in Stevenage. The Grand Re-Opening of the new family orientated shop, took place at The Glebe, Chells following exciting renovation and expansion works.

Most read

  • Our Team

    Our Team

    Our trustees are all volunteers with professional backgrounds who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, to lead and support the charity. They are an active and dedicated board ensuring The Living Room achieves its mission.

  • St Albans Hub

    St Albans Hub

    St Albans Hub (est. 2012) provides free, non-time limited day-time group therapy for all addictions.

  • COVID-19 Vaccination: Do you drink or use drugs?

    COVID-19 Vaccination: Do you drink or use drugs?

    Do you drink or use drugs? Have you previously? You could be at increased risk of getting COVID-19. Read on to learn more about the vaccine and staying safe.

  • Your First Day at The Living Room

    Your First Day at The Living Room

    By choosing to come to The Living Room, you've taken a brave step towards long term recovery. Here's what to expect.

  • Referral

    Referral

  • Love and Sex (Relationships)

    Love and Sex (Relationships)

    Is your romantic or sexual behaviour causing you problems? If the answer is yes, read on for more information and support.

  • Stevenage Hub

    Stevenage Hub

    Our Stevenage Hub (est. 2000) hosts free, non-time limited daytime group therapy for all addictions. Additional weekly specialist group sessions are available for drug addiction, disordered eating, relationships and a Family and Carers group.

  • 20 Years of The Living Room

    View the journey of The Living Room and how we have grown over the past 20 years.

  • Watford Hub

    Watford Hub

    Our Watford Hub (est. 2019) provides facilitated daytime group therapy sessions for all addictions and offers an evening facilitated treatment and support group for Family and Carers of people with an addiction.

  • Vision and Values

    Vision and Values

    The Living Room exists to provide treatment for adults with the illness of addiction and to support their family members, in Hertfordshire and other areas of the UK.

Tag cloud

General Donation 2023
Our Charity Shop is Grandly Announced Open!

Our Charity Shop is Grandly Announced Open!

On Tuesday 29th August, we celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of our newly refurbished Charity Shop in Stevenage. The Grand Re-Opening of the new family orientated shop, took place at The Glebe, Chells following exciting renovation and expansion works. Read more

Published: 30th August, 2023

Author: Emma Wiggins

 

            
 

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The Living Room trading as The Living Room Hertfordshire is a registered charity registered in England and Wales number 1080634 and registered as a Charity Incorporated Organisation number 1175541

Registered office 8-10 The Glebe, Chells Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0DJ

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