Services

Services available

Workplace counselling

Confidential counselling for personal or work-related problems.

Coping with traumatic events

Support for individuals following traumatic events such as sudden death, assault or accidents. Support is also available for managers whose teams have experienced trauma at work.

Groups and workshops

Small group workshops covering topics related to health and wellbeing and communication skills.

Coaching

Coaching for performance development and planning for life changes.

Client agreement

At your first appointment you will be asked to sign a copy of the client agreement (DOC, 27KB), and will have the opportunity to discuss it further.

Appointments

Appointments are offered at mutually convenient times, generally 09.00h-17.00h, including lunch hour and last for one hour.

If your first contact with us is by phone, you will be asked for your name and department. This information will only be passed to the Counsellor.

The service prioritises a quick response so you get to talk to someone as soon as possible. We aim to offer an appointment within 5 working days, but this depends on your availability and fluctuation in demand on the Service. We are not a crisis service, but will respond positively whenever possible, and if appropriate.

Confidentiality

The Staff Counselling Service takes great care to protect the privacy of the staff who contact us.

• The building is within the precinct, but in a discreet and quiet location.
• We are separate from the Student Counselling Service.
• The service operates under the ethical framework for good practice of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
• No reports are made to anyone, including Heads of Departments, about their staff.
• No information is disclosed unless the client (member of staff) gives written permission or makes a specific request for such action.

Exceptions to Confidentiality

Confidentiality cannot be promised if any of the following is disclosed to counsellors:

• If you give information which leads the counsellor to believe that you or someone else is in danger of serious harm then, after careful consideration, the counsellor may take steps to minimize this danger. Any such action would be discussed with you first if possible.
• Exceptional situations may arise in which the counsellor will be legally required to disclose information, for example when ordered to do so by a court or by statutory obligation to disclose information to the authorities concerning knowledge of acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, child abuse etc.
• If contact with your GP (or other person/agencies) is needed, the counsellor will request your permission/discuss this with you in advance.

Counsellors in the Service work as a team and may share information in certain circumstances, such as when a client has seen more than one counsellor. This is done only when required and with sensitivity to the fact that some counsellors may be known to clients in other contexts.

All counsellors receive regular supervision of their work in accordance with BACP guidelines. Every effort is made to maintain your anonymity. In most cases supervision takes place with persons not employed by the University.