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Now that you have registered, there are various pathways to support. In all cases, we’ll provide the support that best suits your needs.
On this page:
Your initial consultation
What to expect
Once you’ve registered, you will be invited to come in for an initial consultation. This will be a chance for you to discuss and explore your concerns and experiences with one of our counsellors. The initial consultation can last up to 75 minutes.The invite to attend your initial consultation will be sent to the email address you provided when registering. In this email, you will be asked to confirm your attendance within the time frame outlined in the email.
Once our counsellor has a better understanding of your situation, they can then provide you with a range of therapeutic options that would be most suitable for you.
Counselling sessions
After your initial consultation, most students will move onto our waiting list to receive counselling.
Our counselling team are all fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellors from a range of backgrounds.
SPCS offers students up to 6 free counselling sessions per academic year. This will be in the form of either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Psychodynamic Therapy.
Each session will last 50 minutes and you and your counsellor will arrange your appointments.
A referral to an external service may be appropriate if your problems have existed for a long time, are particularly complex, or require specialist care. Our counsellors can help you find suitable external support. Once you and your counsellor makes a decision, it is important to follow up with the treatment plan as soon as possible to ensure the best outcome.
Types of counselling offered
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is appropriate for working on how you think about yourself, the world and other people, and how what you do affects your feelings and thoughts. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you make changes in the way you think ("cognitive") and the way you act ("behaviour"). Making changes in what you think will affect what you do and feel, and changing what you do will affect the way you think and feel.
- Psychodynamic Therapy
The aim of Psychodynamic Therapy is to bring the unconscious mind into consciousness - helping individuals to unravel, experience and understand their true feelings in order to resolve them. The thinking behind Psychodynamic Therapy, is that our unconscious holds onto painful feelings and memories, which are too difficult for the conscious mind to process. Primarily used to treat depression, Psychodynamic Therapy can be particularly beneficial for those who have lost meaning in their lives or have difficulty forming or maintaining personal relationships.
- Single Session Therapy
In Single Session Therapy, we work in a focused way to help you deal with your most pressing concern in one session. At the end of the session you often leave with a plan to implement what you have learned.
Please be aware that we are unable to provide you with an Extenuating Circumstances letter after your single session appointment. Should you require this, please do contact your GP.
Other services we provide
Psychiatric Consultations
A Psychiatric Consultation is appropriate if you need medical or psychiatric advice regarding your mental health concerns, or to discuss medication or a referral to an NHS service.
Your initial consultation might be a Psychiatric Consultation if we feel this is appropriate when we assess your registration.
However, in most cases a student will first be receiving counselling, and a Psychiatric Consultation would be discussed between you and your counsellor before an appointment is made to see one of our psychiatrists.