Perhaps you have already tried to talk your difficulties through with friends or family or tutors. Or you may feel that what you are struggling with is something which would be too much of a ‘burden’ or too embarrassing to share with those who are close to you. Maybe you have already attended a workshop or looked at our self-help information. Or maybe you are one of the many people who think you ‘should be able to manage’ by yourself.

There can be real benefit in talking to someone outside the situation who is impartial. It is surprising what we can discover about ourselves when we share our thoughts out loud and for many people it brings considerable relief.

We offer one-to-one sessions to students who wish to look at the personal and emotional issues which are having a negative impact on their university life.

Students talk to us about a whole range of things. Some of these might be:

• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Loneliness, homesickness and adapting to a new culture
• Academic pressure, exam anxiety, perfectionism and fear of failure
• Identity, body image and self-esteem
• Relationship difficulties
• Loss and bereavement
• Coping with crises and challenging or traumatic events

This is not an exhaustive list and everybody is different. We will listen to what you have to say without judging you, in an atmosphere that is both supportive and professional. What you say is treated in confidence (for more information on confidentiality and data protection click here).

The counselling we offer is time-limited and generally short-term. The number of sessions will depend on the concerns of the individual student and will be negotiated with your counsellor. Some people may find the initial appointment is all they need to tackle a specific problem, others may come and see us over a few weeks.