Many personal decisions are made and problems solved through discussions with friends or family, a College Tutor or Director of Studies, a Nurse, Chaplain, or a GP. However, at times it is right to seek help away from one’s familiar daily environment. Seeking counselling is about making a positive choice to get help by talking confidentially with a professionally trained listener who has no other role in your life.
Who are the counsellors?
The Service is staffed by a team of trained and accredited counsellors and therapists. They are all experienced in helping people from many different backgrounds and cultures, and with a wide range of personal and work issues. We have BAME counsellors and Sexual Harassment and Violence Advisers.
Some of the counsellors who work in the Service are Associates, in the late stages of their counselling training. Their work is carefully supervised within the Service.
What happens in counselling?
Counselling is a process that seeks to help you focus on and understand more clearly the issues that concern or trouble you. The counsellor's role is to offer support and understanding, and to listen and respond in a non-judgmental way. They will respect your values, choices and lifestyle. Counselling can help you explore your feelings and discover what lies behind whatever seems troubling or confusing. Counselling can also help with making decisions, choices or changes that are right for you.
What sort of problems can be helped through counselling?
Most personal, relationship or identity problems can be helped through counselling. This includes anxiety, stress and depression, family and/or relationship difficulties, sexual problems and identity issues. Counselling can also help with other issues such as: adjusting to a new culture, dealing with dilemmas, making difficult decisions or choices, as well as more specific problems such as bereavement and difficulties affecting work, including bullying and harassment.
Don't wait until a problem has grown very serious - we would much rather you came when something is relatively minor, so that it can be resolved more quickly.
Making an appointment
Appointments are usually made by completing a pre-counselling form which enables us to place you with an appropriate counsellor.
(If you are a student on a course that involves a professional placement e.g. medicine, veterinary medicine or PGCE that limits your day-time availability, please be aware that we are able to offer online appointments at 5 pm from Monday-Thursday.)
We also have Mental Health Advisers who provide a range of support to students experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Students are referred to the MHAs by staff of the Colleges and University.