Frequently Asked Questions

Will you tell anyone that I'm coming?

Not under usual circumstances as the service is confidential. However in rare circumstances counsellors might have concerns about your safety, or the safety of others.  We also have to work within the law.  If a situation of concern arose we would aim, wherever possible, to talk to you about why we feel the need to speak to someone else.

How long will I wait for ongoing counselling?

We'll be able to offer you an initial appointment within a week.  We work hard to keep waiting times for ongoing counselling to a minimum and most of our students wait around three weeks.  You can help us to keep waiting times down by regularly checking to see if we've contacted you via the details you gave us, and also by attending for you appointments.

Can I ask speak to a counsellor about someone else?

We're happy to offer you some time to seek advice about a friend or relative. However, we wouldn't be able to tell you if the person is accessing the service, or talk to you about someone else.  

How many sessions can I come for?

We don't currently have a fixed amount of sessions you can or can't have.  Counsellors are committed to working in an ethical manner and a part of this we want to see your life improve as quickly as possible.  For some people this can take longer than others.

I can't relate to my counsellor, is it possible to see another one?

Counsellors accept that sometimes in life we can't relate to everyone and this can happen in the counselling relationship.  If you can it might be worth discussing this with your counsellor who can then talk through your concerns and arrange for you to be seen by someone else.

Can my friend come with me to support me?

Sometimes students bring someone with them to their first session to sit with them in the waiting room.  We've found that having someone with you in the counselling room makes it harder to talk and can mean you don't get as much from us as you might.