Counselling and Mental Health Service

• Undertake assessments in relation to the physiological, social and emotional factors that may be impacting you
• Provide practical advice and support to students experiencing mental health difficulties
• Providing up to three one-to-one meetings develop self-management and day-to-day life management skills 

If you are referred to one of our Mental Health Practitioners, they will contact you up to three times to arrange an appointment. They will send over a Student Agreement within their first contact, so that you can read through and agree upon a way of working together.  

Sessions will last up to 30 minutes, you are offered up to three sessions in total, and these can be face-to-face or remote (via team’s or telephone). The content of the sessions and support offered will depend on your individual needs and will be discussed with you in detail upon the initial meeting. 

Our Mental Health Practitioners are trained professionals, all of whom have counselling backgrounds and are registered members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).  

We are a short-term, brief intervention University Counselling Service, offering students up to eight sessions facilitating a safe and confidential therapeutic space for students. We aim to provide accessible support and offer one-to-one counselling in person, by video (via Microsoft Teams) or telephone. 

You'll work with your counsellor to identify achievable goals. This work will be carried out in a practical and pragmatic way to help find a solution to the issues that are impacting your wellbeing as quickly as possible. The time can be effectively used to deepen your understanding of what's happening, develop strategies to resolve a difficult situation and practice new ways of responding. 

• Help people explore whatever concerns them; make sense of their world; identify patterns of thought and behaviour and, if necessary, change patterns which have outlived their usefulness
• Help people come to terms with past experiences, seek new perspectives and alternative strategies for day-to-day living
• Offer the opportunity to explore and express your thoughts and feelings without criticism or judgement, and at your own pace. You decide what is talked about and your concerns are the focus of attention

The University of Derby Counselling Service adheres to the standards and ethics of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as laid out in their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.