UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING SERVICE

Coming to university is an exciting time and many opportunities will present themselves, both academically and socially. It is important to look after your well-being while you’re here. Many people sort out problems by talking to friends, family or staff in their College or Department. For others it is a matter of looking up information about things that concern them, and you will find a wealth of self-help information on our website. There are times when this is not enough and it makes sense to contact the University Counselling Service, which is part of a wide range of student support here at the University of Cambridge.

The University Counselling Service offers a wide range of free confidential help and support to students:

• Individual consultations with a counsellor, CBT therapist, Mental Health Advisor or sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor.

• A variety of Group Courses covering topics including perfectionism, healthy self-esteem, managing low-mood, self-compassion, assertiveness and bereavement.

• Different Workshops every term covering topics such as time-management, procrastination, the supervisory relationship, anxiety, self-compassion.

• Groups spanning two terms (an Undergraduate and Postgraduate group) for students seeking an open-style support through their time of study.

• Online and hard copy?self-help resources.

In addition to the provision offered by the University Counselling Service, all Cambridge students can access free online support with?Big White Wall. Big White Wall provides a safe space online to share your thoughts, get creative, and to access resources and courses to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing. It provides access to a 24/7 online global community wherever you are in the world.

UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING SERVICE

Alongside our face to face service, we provide a number of?self help guides?with useful hints and tips covering common problems experienced by many students during their time at university.

COUNSELLING FAQS

The UCS opened its doors for the first time in 1969 with a Head of Service and a couple of students waiting to be seen by the only member of staff who worked there.

Fast track to the most recent academic year, and the UCS had 1951 students accessing individual counselling which amounts to 10.5% of the student population.

Who can use the Service?

The Service is free and available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students currently registered at the University, including students of the Theological Colleges.

What happens in counselling?

Many personal decisions are made and problems solved through discussions with friends or family, a College Tutor or Director of Studies, a Nurse, Chaplain, colleague, line manager or a GP.? However, at times it is right to seek help away from one’s familiar daily environment.? The University Counselling Service exists to meet such a need.

Seeking counselling is about making a positive choice to get help by talking confidentially with a professionally trained listener who has no other role in your life.

Counselling is a process that seeks to help you focus on and understand more clearly the issues that concern or trouble you. The counsellor’s role is to offer support and understanding, and to listen and respond in a non-judgmental way. They will respect your values, choices and lifestyle.

Counselling can help you explore your feelings and discover what lies behind whatever seems troubling or confusing. Counselling can also help with making decisions, choices or changes that are right for you.

What sort of problems can be helped through counselling?

Most personal, relationship or identity problems can be helped through counselling.? This includes anxiety, stress and depression, family and/or relationship difficulties, sexual problems and identity issues.

Counselling can also help with other issues such as adjusting to a new culture, dealing with dilemmas, making difficult decisions or choices, as well as more specific problems such as bereavement and difficulties affecting work, including bullying and harassment.

Who are the Counsellors?

The Service is staffed by a team of trained and accredited counsellors and therapists. The counsellors are all experienced in helping people from many different backgrounds and cultures, and with a wide range of personal and work issues.

What do the Mental Health Advisors do?

The UCS has three Mental Health Advisors who provide a range of support to students experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Students are referred to them by staff of the Colleges and University.

What is the sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor (SAHA)?

The SAHA is a specialist support worker who provides emotional and practical support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or harassed, recently or in the past.

We can support you whether this happened at University or not, and can help you to access other available support services. You do not have to report your experience to access support from the SAHA.

Please don’t wait until a problem has grown very serious – we would much rather you came when something is relatively minor, so that it can be resolved more quickly.