Counselling and Personal Development
Student Life
What happens in a counselling appointment?
During your first counselling appointment, you talk to the counsellor about
what is concerning you. The counsellor will listen carefully to what you
say, and then check they understand your concern. They may ask some
questions
to help clarify what the issue is and what it means to you. They will use
their training and experience to assist you manage it. There is no ‘magic’ involved
in counselling, so some students arrange for more than one appointment to
help them manage their issues.
How can counselling help?
Counselling may be helpful in a number of ways. It can help you develop a better
understanding of your concerns so that you can deal with them better. Counsellors
can offer different perspectives and help you think of creative solutions
to problems. Counselling can help you to develop new skills to manage personal
and educational issues. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone not
personally involved in your life can bring enormous relief. Counsellors are
well placed to offer advice and information on university procedures and
processes (e.g. Special Consideration), and can refer you to other professionals
where necessary.
Who are the counsellors?
Our counsellors are experienced practitioners registered with their professional
bodies. They will listen to you and take your concerns seriously. They work
closely together as a team to provide you with the best possible support
and advice.
How long does counselling last?
Counselling appointments last about 50 minutes. The Counselling Service provides
brief, solution focused counselling, which usually means you see a counsellor
for a maximum of 5 sessions. In
instances where longer term counselling is required or requested, our counsellors
can
help you with a suitable referral. A lot of students find that 1 or 2 sessions
are sufficient for their needs
How do I know when I need counselling?
There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ time to have counselling
as you can get through many difficult times in your lives with the support
of your family and friends. We do suggest you consider counselling if some
area of your life is being significantly affected (study, work, relationships,
health),
or if you are feeling alone with your concern. We would particularly recommend
counselling if you are feeling unsafe or are having thoughts of harming yourself
or others.
What are my responsibilities in counselling?
By making an appointment, you are already assuming responsibility for dealing
with the impact the problem is having on you, and this is a good start. Your
main responsibility during the appointment is to be as open and honest with
the counsellor as you can about your concerns. Counsellors rarely tell you “what
to do”; your responsibility is to try something new, or take a different
approach that may have been raised during the counselling appointment. If
you are running late or need to cancel an appointment, please call as soon
as you can and let the service know.
What are some difficulties I may have in counselling?
Deciding to see a counsellor can be the most difficult step, but in doing so,
you have already set the ‘wheels of change’ in motion. All change
in your life brings mixed emotions, so do changes through counselling. Putting
what you think and feel into words for another to hear can be difficult,
and you may experience frustration and anxiety as you try out new ways of
doing things. With effort and the counsellors support, the changes will often
bring relief and a renewed energy for living and learning.
Then what?
The counsellor will discuss with you at the end of your first appointment what
you would like to happen next. Some students have a single session, many
arrange for a number of sessions to address a specific concern. Not all issues
that students have are appropriate for a university counselling service, so
the counsellor will help you find a counsellor or other health professional
in your area when required.
