What is counselling?

Attending University offers many new experiences, and sometimes unexpected or stressful situations can arise. At such times students can benefit from the support the Counsellors offer, especially if family and friends are at a distance.

Counselling is a positive experience that can help you feel more in charge of your life. It can assist with decision-making, help to introduce new perspectives and skills, clarify goals, and increase understanding of your emotional world.

How can counselling help?

Students often use the Counselling Service when they want to talk about adjustment to University, coping with homesickness, study pressures, reducing stress, overcoming procrastination, relationship issues, or family problems.

The Counselling Service aims to encourage academic success and to assist students to increase their enjoyment of study and University life, by helping to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety caused by study, personal or family pressures.

Are you concerned about another student?

If you are concerned about a student in distress or with severe difficulties, you are able to speak with a Counsellor for advice and support.

Counsellors also provide secondary consultation to staff about a third party (student or staff member) who may be in crisis or experiencing severe distress.

Services available

Professional counselling staff are located at Lismore campus, Tweed Gold Coast campus, Coffs Harbour campus, and the Hotel School Sydney, and offer assistance to all students — internal students and external students, from first year to post graduate level. Services are free and confidential, and Counsellors are friendly and caring.

The following specific services are also available:

• A Counselling Clinic at Lismore Campus during sessions, offering same-day bookings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
• Information and advice — in person, by telephone, or e-mail
• Referral to counselling services in your area (where possible) for those seeking long term or specialised counselling
• Assistance for times when you may be concerned about a student in crisis
• Male and female Counsellors

• Ongoing counselling and support for students presenting with high levels of stress and more complex academic or personal problems up to a maximum of 12 sessions
• Short-term counselling for academic, personal, or interpersonal issues up to a maximum of 6 sessions
• Assistance to staff, including information, advice, referral, brief counselling and secondary consultation in person, by telephone or e-mail
• A Group Program at Lismore campus during Session
• Self-help and Information leaflets

Updated: 07 March 2012