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About Counselling

Contents

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What is counselling?

Counselling is a collaborative process whereby the counsellor and client work together to try to identify, understand and resolve the issue(s) causing concern.

Why see a Counsellor?

Your academic success is related to your personal and social wellbeing. For students in particular, while you are at university you are likely to have many new experiences, relationships, disruptions, challenges or stressors. It can be an above average time of personal change and development. Some of the reasons you may want to talk to a counsellor include:

Academic

  • Time management/procrastination
  • Exam anxiety
  • Performance or presentation anxiety
  • Support for special exams, special consideration or special examination time.
  • Assistance with retrospective withdrawal and HECS remission applications.

Personal

  • Relationship concerns
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem
  • Stress management
  • Home sickness
  • Bereavement
  • Problem solving or decision making
  • Dealing with a sudden crisis

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What range of services do counsellors provide?

  • Face to face counselling
  • Individual, couple and group session/appointments
  • Crisis intervention and debriefing sessions
  • Telephone counselling for off-campus students
  • A wide range of workshops and seminars
  • A lending library of books, videos and CDs for client use
  • Pamphlets on community and mental health issues
  • Consultation for those concerned about another person
  • Referral to other services/agencies within or external to the university

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Will my counsellor be professionally qualified?

All counsellors are professionally qualified and registered or accredited with their professional associations.

All counsellors spend a considerable amount of time maintaining and updating their professional skills in order to ensure that a service of high professional standard is maintained.

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How long are appointments?

Counselling appointments last up to 50 minutes (or up to 90 minutes for a couple) and usually start on the hour.

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How many times will I need to attend?

For some people one appointment is enough to deal with their issue. Other people need to come several or many times.

If counselling is likely to be more than one or two sessions then your counsellor will usually make a contract with you regarding your goals in counselling and a time-frame for counselling. This would be reviewed after 3 - 4 sessions. In this way expectations are made clear to both counsellor and client.

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What if I can't keep my appointment?

If you are unable to keep an appointment please give us as much notice as possible. Our telephone number 6773 2897 is on your appointment card. Normal reception hours are 8 am to 4.30 pm.

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What happens if I need to see a counsellor urgently?

If you need to see a counsellor urgently there are times set aside each day to allow for this.  Phone and request  a 'same day' appointment.  Remember, your regular counsellor may not be available for 'same day' appoinments.  These appointments are usually only for 30 minutes.

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What if the purpose of my visit is to ask for support for special exams, special consideration or special extension of time?

If you wish to be assessed for 'specials' please tell your counsellor early in your session. There is no guarantee that your counsellor will support your request. You could be asked to seek support elsewhere, especially if you have not been to the Counselling Service this semester.

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Will my counselling sessions be confidential?

The counsellors are bound by a professional code of confidentiality. Among other things, this means that if you want your counsellor to speak to someone outside the Service about your problem then your counsellor will ask you to sign a Release of Information form. Any letter written on your behalf will be shown to you before it is sent. At times it may be necessary for your counsellor to discuss information with a supervising counsellor so that the best possible service can be provided to you.

It is only under very extreme circumstances (e.g. to protect the personal safety of someone) that counsellors may be required to break confidentiality. This would be necessary in order to conform with certain legal/ethical requirements. As far as possible the counsellor would seek approval from you before doing this.

All staff of the Service have signed a Confidentiality Undertaking which also covers them when they leave their position.

You may be concerned about running into someone you know at UNE Student Assist. Our staff give the utmost respect to your privacy at all times. If you do have a particular concern about this, please discuss it with your counsellor.

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Does my counsellor keep notes on me?

Yes, the counsellors make brief notes on each session. Apart from helping your counsellor to clearly remember your last session, the notes are a necessary reference if you ask your counsellor to write a letter on your behalf. The notes are kept in secure storage which complies with legal requirements. You may have access to notes kept about you.

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How is my relationship with a counsellor different from my relationship with a friend?

The counselling relationship is different from other relationships and counsellors follow certain ethical principles.

Although within the counselling session there may be a high level of friendliness and closeness, having a friendship with clients outside the sessions may interfere with the counselling process. Therefore counsellors do not generally become their clients' friends.

Clients should not feel coerced by their counsellor into taking a particular action. Counsellors are non-judgmental and are prepared for you to discuss any issue, including concerns you may have about the counselling relationship.Counsellors are not permitted to have a romantic or sexual relationship with their clients.

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What happens if I am not making progress?

As stated earlier, counselling is meant to be a positive experience and is collaborative in nature. We encourage you to discuss the process, your progress and any other concerns you may have with your counsellor. For example, if you are not happy with your progress there could be several possible reasons for this. If you think there is a mis-match of counsellor and client it is possible to change counsellors.

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What if I need an assessment for legal purposes?

The counsellors are qualified to provide professional court reports. There MAY be a charge for this service.