The following FAQ's have been written to help you access important information about the University Counselling Service as quickly as possible.
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How do I make an appointment?
To arrange an appointment, please come to reception.
When we are closed you can leave a message on our answer phone or by email and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Before you can see a counsellor you will be asked to register with the Counselling Service. This is a simple procedure, and it will take you between 10 and 20 minutes to fill in the forms.
Users with disabilities - if you have any difficulty coming into the service, or any additional support needs, alternative arrangements can be made. Please contact our Reception on 0114 222 4134 or ucs@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our term-time opening hours are as follows:
Mon - 9am - 4pm
Tues - 9am - 4pm
Wed - 9am - 4pm
Thurs - 9am - 6.30pm
Fri - 9am - 4pm
Our vacation opening times are as follows:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 12.45pm & 1.45pm - 4pm
(closed for lunch 12.45pm - 1.45pm)
If you have any questions about registration, please telephone us on 0114 222 4134 (internal number: x24134) or email us on ucs@sheffield.ac.uk |
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When is the service open?
The Counselling Service is open during University term-time and vacation periods, with the exception of University closed days (between Christmas and New Year) and bank holidays.
Our term-time opening times are:
Monday: 9am-4pm
Tuesday: 9am-4pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: 9am-6.30pm
Friday: 9am-4pm
Our usual vacation opening times are:
Monday-Friday: 9am-12.45pm, 1.45-4pm
(closed for lunch 12.45-1.45pm)
Occasionally, due to staffing considerations and training days, we may be closed during the vacation period and very occasionally during term-time. Please check our messages on Twitter for up to date information about closures (accessible from the Counselling Service homepage). |
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What can I expect from my Initial Assessment appointment?
When you register with the Counselling Service, you will be given an appointment for an Initial Assessment (IA). This is an opportunity for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us.
The IA is rather like a confidential question and answer session with the counsellor asking you about certain aspects of yourself and your life so as to reach a good understanding of the presenting problem. Usually the sorts of things you will be asked about briefly, include referral details, the nature of the problem, your mental health history and any medication. Your academic studies and your general coping strategies will be discussed. Significant life events, family and peer relationships as well as your support networks will also be touched upon. Your counsellor may make notes.
There will be time for you to ask any questions about things that concern you or things you’re not sure about. We need to know what you hope to achieve from counselling so that we can discuss the various services we offer and which is best suited to you. Although the IA is different from a typical counselling session, those of you new to counselling will gain some idea of what it is like to talk to a counsellor about your problem.
At the end of the IA, you and your counsellor will discuss how best to proceed. Some people find self help material and/or our Skills for Life groupwork programme useful. If individual counselling is appropriate, you are likely to go on a waiting list; the length of wait can vary depending on demand.
Occasionally, a second IA will be booked if the nature of the issues raised is more complex.
Remember, if there is anything you are unsure about, just ask your counsellor. |
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What if I am not sure if counselling is right for me?
The drop-in provides an opportunity to find out more about the services we offer and to help you decide which of these might be the most appropriate one for you. In these appointments you can ask any questions you may have about counselling, confidentiality or anything else that is worrying you about the process.
The drop-in service is available to students Monday to Friday 2pm-3pm at our Wilkinson Street site.
Please note: The drop-in service is available during term-time only
Each appointment lasts for approximately 20 minutes and sessions cannot be pre-booked. They are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Please ensure you arrive no later than twenty minutes before the end of the drop-in session. |
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Who can use the service?
All registered students at the University of Sheffield are entitled to use the counselling service.
In some circumstances, the partner of an international student or a recent graduate of the University may be considered. These will be discussed on a case-by-case application as appropriate.
We are unable to offer services to Sheffield Hallam University students. SHU services can be accessed at http://www.shu.ac.uk/services/sas/counselling/
Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer counselling to distance learning students, students at other institutions who live in Sheffield or students registered on the Certificate in Higher Education in the Institute for Lifelong Learning.
If you are not eligible to use the service, you might want to look at our Finding a Therapist‘ resource. |
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What is counselling?
Counselling is:
- Confidential. What you discuss with the counsellor will be kept private
- About exploring any anxiety, dilemmas, problem, feelings concerning you now or in the past
- Purposeful
- A voluntary activity - no-one can be 'forced' to undertake counselling
Counselling isn't:- Compulsory
- A social chat
- An emergency service
Counsellors will:- Listen without judging
- Accept who you are
- Provide emotional support
- Help you reach your own decisions
- Explore making changes
- Help you locate appropriate coping strategies
Counsellors won't:- Make decisions for you
- Tell you what to do
- Meet up with you socially
Counselling offers an opportunity to think and talk, in confidence, about difficulties, experiences, feelings, fears, thoughts, anxieties and problems that may be concerning you now or have done in the past.
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Do I have to pay?
| The service is free to all registered students. |
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What can I expect from the supporting new student sessions 2011?
This service is available to new students to discuss concerns, receive support, and to find out about other sources of support that may be relevant at this time.
Sessions run daily from 1.00-4.00pm, as walk in appointments, for Induction week and the first two weeks of the academic year; Monday 19th September 2011 to Friday 7th October 2011.
Supporting new student appointments cannot be pre-booked and are allocated on a first come first served basis, and each appointment lasts for approximately 30 minutes. |
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Do you offer CBT?
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is just one approach to the counselling process. Our counsellors offer a range of skills and approaches to counselling. When you come for your initial appointment, the counsellor will discuss different options and help you to decide what is most appropriate for you. |
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What other sources of help within the University might be useful for me?
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What is the drop in?
The drop-in provides an opportunity to find out more about the services we offer and to help you decide which of these might be the most appropriate one for you.
In these appointments you can ask any questions you may have about counselling, confidentiality or anything else that is worrying you about the process.
It is a ‘sign-posting’ service, allowing you to consider your options outside of counselling, as well as learning what is offered at the Counselling Service.
The drop-in service is available to students Monday to Friday 2pm-3pm at our Wilkinson Street site.
Please note: The drop-in service is available during term-time only
Each appointment lasts for approximately 20 minutes and sessions cannot be pre-booked. They are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Please ensure you arrive no later than twenty minutes before the end of the drop-in session. |
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How long will I have to wait to see a counsellor?
We try to see everyone who registers with us for a first appointment within a week. At busy times of the year, this may be longer. After your first appointment, you may be put on our waiting list. Our aim is to see people within four weeks, but this depends on your availability, as well as the number of people currently waiting.
Our recent evaluation survey reveals that most people who use our service are satisfied with the length of time they have to wait.
If you are trying to use the service during one of our busy periods, please be patient with us! |
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I am worried about a friend – what should I do?
Don’t panic! The Counselling Service is able to support you, as well as anyone you think might benefit from counselling. Our drop-in service may be useful to provide access to resources to take away, and a 20 minute appointment with a counsellor may give you the opportunity to discuss a suitable course of action.
The drop-in service is available to students Monday to Friday 2pm-3pm at our Wilkinson Street site.
Please note: The drop-in service is available during term-time only
Each appointment lasts for approximately 20 minutes and sessions cannot be pre-booked. They are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Please ensure you arrive no later than twenty minutes before the end of the drop-in session.
Duty Counsellors are available to assist staff, colleagues, friends and relatives of an individual causing concern. This can be done over the telephone or, especially if the problem is fairly involved, face-to-face.
A Duty Counsellor may not be immediately available to respond to a consultation request, but you will be contacted as soon as the daily schedule permits. |
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What if I cannot come to my appointment?
| Please call our receptionist on 0114 222 4134 as soon as you find out you are not able to attend. We may be able to offer the appointment to another student if you are unable to come to your appointment. It is really important that you let our receptionist know of any problems with your appointment as soon as possible! |
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What should I expect from the first session?
The first appointment provides you with an opportunity to talk and think about your situation with a counsellor who will:
- Listen attentively without judging you.
- Endeavour to understand your particular difficulties as clearly as possible.
- Discuss with you how these might be addressed and the most appropriate sources of help.
The counsellor won't give you advice or tell you what to do.
At the end of the first session, you and your counsellor will decide what course of action might be most helpful for you.
This might involve further counselling sessions (not necessarily with the same counsellor), attending a group and/or considering referral to another service.
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How long does each session last?
| Counselling sessions last for about 50 minutes. |
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How many sessions will I need?
| The number of counselling sessions offered will vary according to need and is negotiated with the client. It is often usual to contract to meet for an agreed number of sessions, lasting for 50 minutes each, on a weekly basis. With some clients, one session will be sufficient to resolve the problem and with others the counselling relationship can last somewhat longer. Occasionally because of acute distress, suicidal feelings or a need to make critical decisions, more frequent sessions are indicated. |
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How confidential is the service?
The service is confidential, and we will not pass information to University Health, the University or any other party without your permission except in very rare circumstances when information may have to be shared with others i.e. when someone's life is at risk.
All the counsellors are professionally trained and work within the ethical guidelines of their professional bodies (either BACP; British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or UKCP: UK Council for Psychotherapy). |
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Do you keep records?
| We maintain records in order to provide a professional, effective and safe service. Our record keeping practices conform with the Data Protection act 1998 and the University Policy on Data Protection. |
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Do I have access to my records?
| Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you have certain rights to access records held about you. If you wish to see your counselling records your counsellor will be able to give you information about the University Policy on access to records. |
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Can I see a male or female counsellor?
| Yes, it is your choice whether you see a male or female counsellor. Please mention your preference to the receptionist when booking an appointment or discuss this with the counsellor you see at your Initial Appointment. |
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Where can I find the Counselling Service building?
The Counselling Service is located at 36 Wilkinson Street, within 5 minutes walking distance from the main University Campus.
From the street entrance to Bar One on Glossop Road, cross the road and walk down the small ‘No entry’ street almost opposite. This is Brunswick Street. From here, take the first left onto Wilkinson Street. The Counselling Service building is the second building on the left. |
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Does the Counselling Service offer group sessions?
Yes, the University Counselling Service runs an extensive the Skills for Life programme throughout the academic year. The Skills for Life programme provided by the University Counselling service is designed to boost your life skills; skills and techniques to meet challenges that life presents to us all. These might be in relation to managing pressures and stresses - academic and exam pressures or juggling your time when life gets busy and everything is urgent! It could be coping with the more difficult side of life such as disappointments, or feeling down. Skills for Life are skills which can be used at work, at home, with friends and for your own well-being - throughout your life!
Further information on Skills for Life can be found at http://www.shef.ac.uk/counselling/services/skillsforlife |
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I need some help now!
The Counselling Service is unable to provide an emergency service and does not offer on-call or acute psychiatric treatment. If you, or the person you are concerned about, need to see or talk to someone immediately, contact the following as appropriate:
- The person's GP or the University Health Service: Tel. 0114 222 2100, Internal: 22100.
- NHS Direct: Tel 0845 4647.
- The nearest Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. For the Northern General Accident and Emergency Department, Tel. 0114 243 4343.
- The Emergency Services: Tel. 999.
- The University Security Service: Tel. 0114 222 4085, Internal: 24085.
- Nightline - Tel: 222 8787 (listening line) 222 8788 (Info line). PLEASE NOTE: This is a term time only service.
- The Samaritans: Tel. 08457 909090.
- Student Support and Guidance (Critical Support): Tel. 0114 2224321, Internal 24321
- The Chaplaincy: Tel. 0114 222 8923
If the situation is not as extreme, but does require a prompt intervention, we also offer a drop-in service, and during the first three weeks of term (Mon 21st September - Fri 9th October) Supporting New Students sessions, Mon-Fri 1-4pm.
Please contact us on 0114 2224134 or 24134 (Internal) for further details or to arrange an appointment.
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