Frequently Asked Questions
- I don't want to waste your time
- Will it go on my record if I come for counselling?
- What happens when I come for counselling?
- How many times will I need to come for counselling?
- Suppose I find that I don't know what to say?
- What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
- Can I talk to a counsellor if I'm worried about someone else?
- What can I do to find out more?
QUESTION: I don't want to waste your time
ANSWER: This isn't exactly a question, but it is a comment that counsellors often hear. While we appreciate you thinking about other people's needs, we would judge counselling to be a waste of time only if you consider that it isn't helping. Counselling is concerned with what you think and how you feel on the inside - so if something seems like a problem to you, that's all that matters. Nothing is either too big or too small. As long as you think counselling may be beneficial, you are welcome to make an appointment.
QUESTION: Will it go on my record if I come for counselling?
ANSWER: No. No one else in the university will be told if you come for counselling, unless you want them to know.
QUESTION: What happens when I come for counselling?
ANSWER: Counsellors appreciate (not least from personal experience of being clients) that it's normal to feel nervous meeting a counsellor for the first time. Our aim is to do whatever we can to help you feel at ease - maybe by offering a cup of tea or coffee.
Our aim, simply, is to take you as the person that you are: to do what we can to assist you to talk about whatever you choose to talk about; to listen with care in the hope of understanding your experience; to communicate that understanding back to you; and, by working in partnership with you to explore your concerns, to support you in finding what you may judge to be the best way forward.
Every counsellor brings their own personality and style to their work. But at some point in the first meeting, your counsellor will normally check that you are clear about our policy on confidentiality and data protection. And you are very welcome to ask questions about anything you'd like to know about.
QUESTION: How many times will I need to come for counselling?
ANSWER: Mainly, that will be up to you. Some people come just once. Others come ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty times. The average last year was about six sessions. It's something you can discuss with your counsellor at any time.
QUESTION: Suppose I find that I don't know what to say?
ANSWER: Many people coming for counselling are surprised by how easy they do find it to talk. But don't worry if you don't. The reason the counsellor is there is to support you.
QUESTION: What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
ANSWER: The truth is that different people would give you different answers to that question. Some say there is no difference. Others see psychotherapy as a longer and deeper process, where the therapist is someone with more advanced training, sometimes including prior training as a psychiatrist.
The professional association to which most counsellors belong decided some years ago to change its name from the "British Association for Counselling" to "The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy". Maybe that indicates at least that the two have a lot in common.
It's worth pointing out, too, that there are very many different approaches to psychological helping, the most prominent being psychodynamic, cognitive (commonly practised by psychologists) and humanist. All current members of the counselling team are trained in the person-centred approach developed originally by Carl Rogers. He was a leading humanist therapist.
There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that no one approach works better than any other - but that all have considerable potential to be helpful.
QUESTION: Can I talk to a counsellor if I'm worried about someone else?
ANSWER: Yes. Counsellors are happy to support you in working out how you can help someone else who may be a worry to you.
QUESTION: You've answered some of my questions, but there are others that you haven't covered. What can I do to find out more?
ANSWER: Counselling does indeed raise a lot of interesting and sometimes difficult questions. If there is anything else that you would like to ask or to discuss, you are very welcome either to make an appointment or to contact one of the counsellors by Email.
Email University Counsellors
Jacquie: jacqueline.sharp @uws.ac.uk
Bernie: bernie.morran@uws.ac.uk
Hilary: hilary.groom@uws.ac.uk
We appreciate your interest, and will do our best to help.