College Counselling
Students can self-refer for an appointment with the college’s confidential and free Counselling Service. The college employs a team of skilled professionals who can help when support is needed to deal with difficult times in life. Counselling aims to help deal with difficulties more effectively, to explore what is going on and how to make changes or develop useful strategies.
Click here to view our counselling support page on Moodle.
Do I need to see a counsellor?
Many people sort out problems by talking to friends, family, tutors and teachers or a department in College. For others it is a matter of looking up information about things that concern them, and we have a self-help selection of books in the library (158.1). But there are times when this isn’t enough and it makes sense to refer yourself to the Counselling Service.
What is counselling?
Counselling offers a confidential time and place to talk about your thoughts, your feelings, and anything that may be confusing, painful or worrying. The counsellor will listen and offer support and use their skills to help you. The counsellor won’t judge you or tell you what you should do.
Why do people come for counselling?
People come for all sorts of reasons, for example; because they are feeling very low, anxious, are bereaved, are worried about something, are angry, sad, have academic problems or are having some issues they are finding hard to deal with and need help to get things back on track.
How can it help?
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who is not part of your everyday life. Talking and sharing can help you feel less alone with your problems and help you discover new choices or solutions that are right for you.
Is it confidential?
Confidentiality is very important to us, your conversation is private. The Counselling Service offers the highest level of confidentiality consistent with the law and the codes of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
How to find the counsellors
They are in M30 which is on the top floor in the main building. Find M11 on the first floor, there you will see some stairs going up. Go up these, when you get to the top (you will find a waiting area) turn left at the top for M27 and M30 is at the end of that corridor. A ground floor room is available on request.
Need help NOW?
If you need help now:
If it is during college time speak to your tutor, teacher or any member of staff
Contact your own GP (doctor)
Text Young Minds Crisis Messenger. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258. They aim to connect every texter in less than 5 minutes to provide support in a crisis.
Call the Samaritans (24 hour national helpline) 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website. There will always be someone there to talk with for support through a difficult time.
Call 999 emergency services
Visit the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department of your nearest hospital
Call NHS choices 111 or visit their website 111.nhs.uk
Look through the ‘other sources of support’ information found on this counselling page (also on counselling moodle page
What past students have said:
‘Very helpful’
‘It’s given me confidence’
‘I feel happier in myself’
‘Counselling is a great journey you travel in a short period of time. You get inside your own mind and discover more about yourself; realise aspects of yourself you didn’t notice before. A counsellor is your guide who helps you see things in a new way.’
‘I have gained so much more than I thought I would be able to from my counselling sessions. I have found it easy to talk to my counsellor and have learned new strategies which have been of great benefit to me.’
‘The counsellors showed me nothing but understanding towards my feelings and helped me see a positive view of myself’
More information
More information about the Counselling Service can be found on the College Intranet.