Your mental health and wellbeing

Counselling is a talking therapy which gives you the opportunity to explore issues which are causing you concern or distress. Your counsellor will give you the space to find a new perspective on a problem or think about options for change. The counsellor won’t tell you what to do but they will listen to you and help you find a way forward.

At the University of Stirling, we offer One at a Time Counselling, which means we focus on the most significant issue for you at the time of your session. We offer you one appointment at a time, then encourage you to reflect on what you and your counsellor have discussed. This may include taking some action regarding your situation and trying to manage it by putting into practice the ideas, techniques or action plans discussed in counselling. If it is more appropriate to refer you on to other services, either within or out with the University, we will do this with your permission.

If you feel after this process you need further support, you can make another appointment. Before any subsequent session, we will ask you to complete a new pre-session form so that we can understand what has brought you back to us.

About 70% of students find a single appointment helps them to move in the right direction.

One at a Time Therapy can be used for a wide range of issues, from anxiety to improving relationships, grief and loss, mental health issues, life changes and managing stress. In a One at a Time session, we can offer a contained and immediate response to your most pressing concern. While the session will focus on your greatest concern, this therapy can still be suitable for students with multiple or complex issues. So you may have a lot going on in your life, but still find a One at a Time session helpful.

When you register for the service, you will be sent a pre-session questionnaire to fill in. This will help you and your Counsellor to find out more about your main concerns and goals for your session. Please complete this before your session; if this is not complete before the session you will need to spend time during the session completing this.

If you feel the session was enough to meet your needs then you will not have another session booked, with the understanding that you are welcome to re-contact us at any point in the future.

If you're a current University of Stirling student and would like to access our service, please complete our Counselling registration form. We'll ensure you receive the most appropriate support for your needs. We will treat you with dignity and respect, uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and offer you non-judgemental support to help you better understand your feelings and emotions.

We are currently offering online and limited face to face counselling appointments in-line with University and Government COVID guidelines. Students may wait a little longer for face to face if this is your preference.

Limits of support available to students based overseas

Counselling cannot be provided to students based overseas for legal and regulatory reasons. We can provide a support session (not counselling) to help you to identify local support in the country you are living in.

Online "One at Time therapy" counselling sessions are delivered via MS Teams. We have been providing this option since March 2020 in in response to COVID-19 restrictions and student feedback since then has highlighted that, for many students, this method of delivering counselling works well and is preferable, in some cases, to face face. As a result, we'll continue to offer students this option.

Pease read this information, along with our standard Counsellor Student Contract Information Sheet.

Some advantages to online counselling

• Online counselling is flexible, effective and accessible
• You can remain in a safe, familiar and comfortable space – this can encourage relaxation and openness
• Online counselling allows access to support without having to travel, this can reduce stress – it will continue to be at an agreed time
• Support will continue to be compassionate, professional and respectful

How to get the most out of remote counselling sessions

• Implement a normal routine before therapy such as washing and dressing appropriately – this can help with motivation and focus
• Leave some time before the session to give yourself a moment to get set-up and prepared - this can help you feel ready for the session
• Be aware of the potential to share more online – this can lead to heightened emotional responses during and after the session
• If possible, avoid having another meeting straight after your session- give yourself time to wind down
• Technical problems can arise - check your digital device is fully charged, with a stable internet connection
• Think about where you will be at the time of the appointment - you will need somewhere quiet, where you feel safe and won't be interrupted
• Sit in a comfortable chair and where the counsellor can see you clearly
• Pour yourself a glass of water or a cup of tea/coffee before the session, but avoid consuming recreational drugs or alcohol before or during the session

How does online counselling work?

• Appointments are delivered using Microsoft Teams - MS Teams is part of Office 365 and is available to all students. Find out more about how to use MS Teams.
• You will be sent a confirmation email for your appointment - it will contain a link to the MS Teams appointment.
• When you are ready to join the appointment at the arranged time, click on the link and you will be taken through to the MS teams appointment.
• You can agree with your counsellor if you prefer the remote session to be video or just audio.

If, due to personal circumstances, you are unable to engage with on-line support please contact our Student Services Hub.

Limits of support available to students based overseas

Counselling cannot be provided to students based overseas for legal and regulatory reasons. We can provide a support session (not counselling) to help you to identify local support in the country you are living in.

Face to face appointments are held in the 4Y corridor in the Cottrell Building.

• If you are clinically vulnerable, you should consider whether attending in person is the right option for you. Alternatively, we can offer you an online appointment.
• You are encouraged to undertake a lateral flow test on the morning of your appointment. These are freely available from the campus pharmacy in the Andrew Miller Building. Your counsellor will also undertake biweekly lateral flow tests.
• You are reminded to check you have no symptoms before leaving home for a face to face appointment. Students should not come to campus if they are feeling unwell or if they, or a member of their household are displaying any COVID symptoms or have tested positive for COVID. They should also not attend campus if they have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine. Your counsellor will also follow these guidelines and will ask you to confirm all of this prior to starting your appointment.
• If you are required to self-isolate, for example if you have COVID symptoms prior to a PCR test or have a positive PCR test result, you are requested to follow the University’s procedure on how to self isolate and inform the University via the reporting form.
• If you show signs of being unwell or distressed during your face to face session your counsellor may recommend that the appointment is terminated and you will be offered a follow up appointment online as soon as is possible.
• The 4Y waiting room is currently closed so we ask that you arrive as close as possible to your appointment time. If your counsellor’s door is closed please do not wait outside the door, instead we would ask that you return in two minutes.
• Before entering the counselling room, you will be asked to sanitise your hands.
• Counsellors will wash their hands or sanitise regularly before, during and after each counselling session. Counsellors will clean touch points and surfaces after each session.
• Seating will be placed 2 metres apart with chairs placed side to side rather than face to face.
• You are encouraged to wear a face covering throughout your appointment. Your counsellor may also wear a face covering if they wish to do so.
• Please bring your own water and tissues to have during the session in case needed and take any rubbish home with you.
• Confidentiality is limited in line with public interest. Your counsellor may need to share your name and contact details with NHS contact tracing if they test positive for COVID- 19 and you are identified as a close contact.