Frequently Asked Questions

• Will I be seen as part of a group when I use the OPEN DOOR?
• Will my attendance at counselling be noted on my student file?
• Do I see the same counsellor every week?
• Will my counsellor be trained and experienced?
• If my tutor sent me because of my Extenuating Circumstances, will you be able to provide the supporting evidence?
• Does my problem have to be serious before I use counselling?
• Is my problem too serious?

"Will I be seen as part of a group when I use the OPEN DOOR?"
No. Several students might attend an OPEN DOOR session but your time with the duty counsellor will be in the privacy of a closed counselling room. This is normally your introduction to counselling prior to the allocation to one of the counselling team.

"Will my attendance at counselling be noted on my student file?"
No. The service keeps records but these are independent of the student record system. The service offers confidentiality except in cases where there is risk of harm to self or others or where the law requires it. No-one else need know that you have used the service unless you request it.

"Do I see the same counsellor every week?"
Yes. On average, students need about five sessions to work through a problem or difficulty. These meetings are always with the same counsellor; and normally on the same day, at the same time, and in the same place for the duration of the contract. Only two or three counsellors use a flexible meeting system, which enables them to attend to other duties for the service.

"Will my counsellor be trained and experienced?"
Yes. Although there will be some differences in length of experience, all counsellors on the team have trained for at least one year before undertaking therapeutic work with clients. Some counsellors may be extending that training to Advanced Diploma level or beyond but by far the majority have already achieved that landmark and gained several years experience of working with students.

"If my tutor sent me because of my Extenuating Circumstances, will you be able to provide the supporting evidence?"
Not necessarily. Unless you want and need counselling, we will not agree to work with you just for the purposes of providing evidence. In these circumstances, we would hope that you could identify another source of support. Only if you freely choose to have counselling and if we feel that you can benefit from it will we be able to support you with a statement of attendance. This is normally done at the end of the period of counselling.

"Does my problem have to be serious before I use counselling?"
No. In fact, we would encourage you to approach us before the situation gets out of hand and before you start running out of time. Many students say, "I should have come earlier" and often we would agree. It is easier to help you get back on track if you ask us sooner rather than later.

"Is my problem too serious?"
Rarely. The Counselling Service can help with most difficulties and we would only recommend alternative support/services if we felt that it would be in your best interests for us to do so and, where possible, with your full support and co-operation. For instance, if someone is experiencing an episode of difficulty managing their mental health, we would advocate a multi-agency approach that draws in the experience and expertise of other professional helpers. This may or may not include a counsellor.

THE COUNSELLING SERVICE WELCOMES FEEDBACK

counselinfo.students@leedsmet.ac.uk