What is counselling and how may it help me?

Your time at college can be rewarding, fun and exciting but it can also be a time of stress and there may be other problems that affect your life and studies. The College Counselling Service is one of the support services which are there to help. Our qualified counsellor offers one-to-one, confidential counselling to all enrolled students and staff on any personal concerns or difficulties, whether they involve life in college or outside. There are a number of ways in which counselling can help, such as:

  • Dealing with a crisis or immediate concern
  • Support with longer term difficulties
  • Getting access to specialist help
  • Referring on to other resources

Common issues that are talked about include:

  • anxieties about aspects of study, including exams and presentations 
  • general stress and anxiety 
  • depression 
  • relationship difficulties 
  • eating problems 
  • bereavements and parental separations 
  • loneliness
  • lack of self-confidence or low self esteem 
  • managing transitions 
  • making difficult decisions 
  • traumatic experiences,  including violence or abuse 
  • difficulties with alcohol or drugs 
  • issues around sex and sexuality 
  • self-injury 
  • suicidal thoughts 
  • anger management 
  • worries about appearance

Counselling aims to give you the time and space to explore and understand the issues you bring. The counsellor will be able to help you think about your problems from a different perspective.

What happens in counselling?

Sessions with a counsellor usually last for fifty minutes and are held in confidence in a counselling room. Your first appointment will provide an opportunity to explore your reason for coming and will help build a clearer picture of your needs.

Confidentiality

The college counselling service is highly confidential. There are some limits to confidentiality and these are discussed with you in the first session. For example, risk of harm to yourself or someone else.

Students who wish to make an appointment are welcome to book themselves in by telephoning 0191 427 3773 and leaving a message or dropping by Student Services or speak to their tutor who can make an appointment on the student’s behalf.