Counselling Service

There are times in life where we could really need some extra support with our mental health. This can be due to high stress, academic challenges, changes in circumstances and bereavement. Sometimes what we need support with is finding out why we are not feeling well.

Counselling gives you the opportunity to talk about what is difficult for you in a confidential and therapeutic space. Together with your counsellor, you can work on exploring difficult feelings or events, finding ways to process them and work on rebuilding resilience and healthy coping mechanisms. Counselling is the process of talking to a trained professional in confidence who will help you think through your situation. It’s also a space to discuss your problems, worries and any difficult feelings you are experiencing.

The Counselling team will be in contact with you to confirm that they have received your referral form and confirm that you are on the waiting list.

You will also receive fortnightly emails from the Wellbeing team of services that are available as you wait.

The Counselling team will contact you via your Edinburgh College email or in case of no reply, your mobile in the form of a phone call and/or text.

Please remember to check your college email regularly and respond to any messages from the Counsellors as it’s your responsibility to take up your offer of a place.

We can’t give students a specific timeframe with regards to how long they will be on the waiting list due to the high demand for the service.

However, we aim for students to be seen at the soonest possible appointment.

You will be offered six to eight counselling sessions lasting 50 minutes each. These sessions will take place face-to-face or online through Microsoft Teams. We are able to see students at all four of our campuses.

You will be able to note your preference when completing the self-referral. We try to offer you counselling in the form that best suits you, but if you have limited availability, you might find that you will have to wait a little longer

If you are still on the waiting list then please contact the Wellbeing team to make the team aware that you would like to be removed from the waiting list.

If you start Counselling and would like to stop then please contact your Counsellor and make them aware.

If you don’t turn up twice to your appointments and do not let anyone know you cannot attend, this will result in you being withdrawn from the service. This will allow someone else to take up your place and engage with the service. We require 24 hours’ notice if you are not going to be able to attend.

We understand sometimes things happen last minute, but please do ensure to tell us you cannot attend.

Unfortunately, your name will be removed from the Counselling waiting list as only enrolled students can access the Counselling Service.

You can read about the terms and conditions in the Counselling Agreement.