What is Counselling?
Counselling is a supportive process that offers you a secure framework in which to explore and better understand the problems that are of most concern to you.
If you are troubled or preoccupied with something, you do not have to struggle alone. Students come to us with all sorts of issues that are important to them. Sometimes they know that counselling is what they want, sometimes they are not sure, and we are there to help sort out what kind of professional support would be most appropriate.
The counsellor works with you in an open and non judgemental way and helps you to open up the choices that are available to you.
The first assessment session
The first session is an opportunity to meet the counsellor and to talk through the reasons for seeking counselling. At the end of this session, both student and counsellor will discuss the best way forward. For some students, one session is enough, but most students prefer to meet regularly for a set number of sessions.
What happens in the Counselling room?
Through engaged listening and asking questions the counsellor will be able to help you make sense of the problems that are most troubling in a way that is understandable to you. Counselling may also help identify the changes you want to make in your life and in doing so place you in a clearer position in which to manage your future.
A counsellor will not give you advice, nor tell you what to do. If you require an advisory service then you will be referred to the relevant organisations/ agencies.
What Issues can I talk about?
Students can talk to a counsellor about anything which is concerning them, whether it is affecting their studies or not.
The issues brought to the Service are diverse, like the student population, and include: anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, homesickness, loneliness, difficulties in relationships, family concerns, bereavement, illness, work and study related problems, sexual difficulties, worries about alcohol or drug use, abuse, eating difficulties, phobias, and many others.
Basically if someone is worried about an aspect of their life, it may be worth contacting the Counselling Service.
Some information about the most common issues that students bring to counselling can be found under our Self-Help Information section.