About Counselling

Counselling offers an opportunity to talk with someone in a confidential and supportive setting about anything that is affecting your emotional and psychological wellbeing. The counsellor will not advise you about what you should think and feel in relation to your situation, or even what action you should take. Instead, the emphasis will be on offering you non-judgmental support and trying to understand, with you, what you are going through. It is hoped that by doing this you will be able to develop your own answers and ways of overcoming your difficulties, enabling you to focus on your studies and enjoy your time here at Staffordshire University.

A particular event may have caused you distress or you might want to talk about something that has been going on for some time. Whatever the reason, if you are finding it difficult to get on with your studies or engage with university life more generally, counselling may be of some help.  Some examples of the sorts of things students come and talk about are: relationships (with friends, partners or family); self-harm; eating difficulties; study problems; loneliness; depression; self-confidence; sexuality; bereavement; anxiety, cultural issues; and self-esteem.

You will probably come to counselling because you are experiencing some difficulties and so you may find the process of counselling upsetting, as you try to address what is upsetting you. But hopefully the process will ultimately be one that helps you better manage or overcome your difficulties.

If your difficulty has been (or is likely to be) long term, you may wish to speak to a Disabled Students' Advisor in the Student Enabling Centre, as you could be entitled to receive extra support with your studies.  Please feel free to discuss this matter with the Counsellor or simply contact an Advisor direct.  Click here to visit the Student Enabling Centre website.