Counselling

Counselling is a form of talking therapy that can support you to develop strategies or ideas to help you with your greatest concerns including:

  • anxiety,
  • managing stress,
  • relationships,
  • grief and loss,
  • life changes.

At the University of Stirling, we offer all current students "One at a Time Counselling", which means we focus on the most significant issue for you at the time of your session.

You can book another appointment as often as you want. However, we're not always able to guarantee you an appointment with the same counsellor within our current service level agreement of three weeks.

Appointments can be face-to-face or online.

What is One at a Time Counselling?

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.

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

What happens in a One at a Time Counselling appointment? 

Your appointment will last 50 minutes.

Your counsellor will review the Student/Counsellor Agreement with you to ensure your understanding.

The session will create space to explore your issues more deeply, gain new perspectives, and generate solutions for you to try out immediately.

At the start of each appointment your counsellor will assess risk to ensure an appropriate and timely response to your situation.

Confidentiality

The work with your counsellor is confidential. We don’t discuss this with your tutors, families or anyone else without your permission.

However, if we believe you pose a significant risk of harm to yourself or others, we may need to act to minimise the risk. We would always try to involve you in any decisions and act in accordance with your wishes.

What issues can One at a Time Therapy help with?

One at a Time Therapy can be used for a wide range of issues including anxiety, relationships, managing academic pressures, grief and loss, life changes and managing stress.

In a One at a Time session, we focus on your most pressing concern, providing immediate, contained support. While each session addresses your greatest concern, this therapy can still be beneficial for students facing multiple or complex challenges. So you may have a lot going on in your life, but still find a One at a Time session helpful.

Making an appointment

If you're a current University of Stirling student and would like to access our service, please complete our Counselling registration form and email it to the Student Hub at ask@stir.ac.uk.

You'll 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 offer appointments with both University of Stirling counsellors and counsellors from an external service provider Spectrum Life.

In most cases you'll be offered an appointment with University counsellors within three weeks. If you will have to wait more than three weeks for an appointment with a University counsellor you'll be offered an appointment with Spectrum Life. Spectrum life offer online appointments only. 

Support available to students based overseas

For legal and regulatory reasons counselling cannot be provided by University of Stirling Counsellors to students overseas. However, we can provide online counselling with our partner organisation Spectrum Life.

Where will the appointment take place? 

We offer both face-to-face and online appointments. Face-to-face appointments are held in the 4Y corridor in the Cottrell Building. Online appointments are held via MS Teams.

We request that you attend your session on your own to protect your confidentiality. If your session is online, please make sure you are in a private space where you cannot be overheard or be distracted by someone else.

Face-to-face appointments

Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible as there are no waiting areas. If your counsellor's door is closed, please do not wait outside the door, you should return in a few minutes. 

If you are not able to attend your appointment but still want to meet with a counsellor, please get in touch with your counsellor or the Student Hub to discuss switching to an online session.

Online appointments

  • Online counselling sessions are delivered using MS Teams.
  • Your appointment email from the Student Hub will contain a link to the MS Teams appointment.
  • At your appointment time, click on the link in the email and you'll 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.

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.

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

Support available to students based overseas

For legal and regulatory reasons counselling cannot be provided by University of Stirling Counsellors to students overseas. However, we can provide online counselling to students overseas with counsellors operating with our partner organisation Spectrum Life.

What happens after my One at a Time Counselling session?

If you feel the session met your needs, we won’t book another appointment, but you're always welcome to get back in touch to schedule one anytime.

We encourage you to take about three weeks to reflect on the session and try out any ideas, techniques or action plans discussed. This allows you time to see what works or explore other sources of support.

You can request the same counsellor, though this may require a longer wait than our 3-week service level agreement. If you see a new counsellor, they’ll work with whatever you bring to the next session without needing details from your previous one.

Meet the counsellor

Read our blog with Hazel, one of our counsellors, to see how she supports students to make positive life changes, shares what she’s grateful for in her role and talks about the importance of reconnecting with nature.

Out of hours and emergency support

Find out where you can get support at any time.

Wellbeing services and organisations

There are a number of other external services and organisations that can support your wellbeing and help with mental and emotional challenges.

24/7 support

The 24/7 Student Support helpline is a free, confidential service that provides in-the-moment emotional wellbeing support to all students.

Confidentiality and data sharing

We respect the privacy of everyone who uses our University Support Services. Read our full documentation on confidentiality and data sharing.