We offer short-term, focused counselling to support your academic journey and university life. We are not able to offer long-term therapy, but can advise you where you might access this.
We aim to help you make the most of each session. At the first meeting, your needs will be discussed. This maybe your only session, but it doesn’t have to be.
We recognise that sometimes students would benefit from a few sessions close together so if we feel this is appropriate, we will discuss that with you at the end of your first meeting. If that is decided as the best way forward then you will be offered up to 3 further sessions, on a weekly basis. After these 1 + 3 sessions, you can book on a needs basis throughout the rest of the academic year via the online self-scheduling appointment system. Sessions are subject to availability, and we respectfully request that you only book one session at a time.
Interestingly, our data shows that over 50% of students only ever book one session stating they felt the one meeting was helpful and allowed them to move forward and get the best from their time at university both in terms of academic achievement and student experience.
Our aim is to give you space to explore what is happening in your life, bring some focus to your current concerns and to help process that, but also resource you appropriately.
We are delighted to be able to extend our counselling offer with the addition of Placement and Sessional Counsellors.
Additional Sessional (fully trained and experienced) staff support the service at times of peak demand and are therefore with us for periods of up to 3 months at different times of the academic year.
Placement Counsellors are completing their academic qualifications and are required to accrue clinical placement hours to obtain their professional status. We are delighted to be able to offer these highly sought after trainee placement opportunities from the beginning of October through to the end of May.
If you are triaged to a Placement Counsellor, you will be offered up to 6 weekly sessions.
Complex needs and specialist approaches
If your needs are more complex and require a specialist or long-term approach, we will direct you to more appropriate services in the community, including the NHS. Almost all city services operate waiting lists, generally a few months, so we will also suggest other ways of helping yourself in the meantime.
How long will I have to wait?
Once your form has been triaged to Counselling you will be sent the link to book your appointment using our online appointment self-scheduling system.
We hope you will be able to find an appointment within a few weeks, but we are a very busy service and waiting times can sometimes be up to a month.
If you feel you are in urgent need of support, you can refer to our
immediate help page
or speak to the Student Hub who may feel a mental health duty appointment is appropriate.
Can I choose the gender of my counsellor?
We have a mix of male and female counsellors. Online appointment self-scheduling allows you to choose your counsellor; individual’s pronouns are displayed on the booking form.
If you are allocated a male/female counsellor but would prefer to change then please notify Student Services.
Counselling and record keeping
Brief notes of your session are kept on a secure, password protected database, accessible only by Student Wellbeing Services staff and Student Services Administrative Support staff.
The fact that you have used our service will not appear on your student record.
Extenuating circumstances letters
You can request a short letter in support of your EC application if you have attended 1 or more session with us. We have a standard template response letter and would normally require 10 day notice to produce at busy times of the year. Sometimes a letter from your GP is more appropriate.
For more information on extenuating circumstances, please see the
extenuating circumstances policy
.
