Counselling
Your support; our priority.
Counselling at the College
The Newbold Counselling Service – known as Thrive – is an independent service offering confidential counselling. It is here to support you with any issues which may directly, or indirectly, affect your studies.
Counselling is available to all students of Newbold College, aged 18 and older, as well as to their resident spouses. Requests from student aged 16-18 will be considered on an individual basis.
Email: [email protected]
Office number: 0207 723 8050
Dedicated listening number: 0330 133 2495
What is Counselling?
- Counselling offers you time and space to work on issues affecting your studies.
- It is usually just one person and the Counsellor. Requests for counselling couples and families will be considered but may be referred to external services.
- Counsellors are highly trained professionals who will listen, encourage, empathise and challenge you so that you are able to understand yourself better, see the issues more clearly and find your own solutions.
- Counselling can help with a wide range of issues including struggles with physical, emotional or mental health; difficult events or relationship issues (past or present); difficulties related to your studies etc.
- Your goal may be to make changes in your life, or to come to terms with things which cannot be changed. The outcome of (short-term) counselling is often an on-going process rather than an immediate resolution.
More Information
What Counselling is Not
Click the arrow to read more.
- A Counsellor will not judge you, give personal opinions or tell you what to do.
- Counselling is not a quick fix.
- Counselling does not take the place of registered psychiatric services. If at any time your Counsellor believes your concerns require formal medical treatment, they will help you to access the best services.
Where Counselling is Held
Click the arrow to read more.
- Counsellors generally use the counselling room available on campus.
- Alternative off campus services may be funded if necessary.
Length/frequency of Sessions
Click the arrow to read more.
Sessions can be arranged to fit in with your timetable (subject to counsellor availability).
They usually last 50 minutes and take place weekly. You may only need one session or you may need more. This will be agreed with your counsellor.
Costs
Click the arrow to read more.
The College will pay counselling fees for registered students and their spouses, up to a maximum of 6 sessions.
Requests for additional counselling can be discussed with the Counsellor who will asses the need and apply for further funding if necessary.
Confidentiality
Click the arrow to read more.
- All the Counsellors are self-employed, trained professionals whose counselling work is independent of the College. Counsellors are not employed staff of the College.
- The counselling request is general and non-specific. It will be received by the off-campus Counselling Coordinator and forwarded to the appointed Counsellor.
- Counsellors have an independent arrangement with a Supervisor, in line with the requirements of their professional body. Supervisors are independent of the College. Your identity will not be disclosed in supervision.
- Your identity will not be disclosed to College Staff by the Counsellor without your permission.
- In very rare circumstances it may be necessary to speak to the medical services or the police. Counsellors have a legal requirement to do so if they are concerned about your safety, where you have disclosed that you pose a risk to another person or if you are breaking certain laws. Every effort will be made to discuss this with you in advance.
- The Data Protection Policy can be found on the College website and will form part of the Counselling Agreement.
How to Begin
- You can make a request for counselling using the link below. This will open a request for counselling form which asks you to give your name and contact details and information about when you are available for counselling. It also helps us to assess the urgency of your request.
- Please do not provide any information about why you are requesting counselling. This will be confidential between you and your Counsellor.
- Alternatively, you can email a counselling request to [email protected] or call 0207 723 8050. Please give your name and contact details, and say that you require a Counsellor. A request for counselling form will be sent to you via email.
- Referrals are not accepted from anybody else on your behalf.
What happens then
- The Counselling Co-ordinator will match you with a Counsellor who is available at the times you have suggested. Your completed form will then be passed to the Counsellor.
- The Counsellor will contact you and arrange your first session. During this session the Counsellor will complete an assessment of your needs and you will be asked to sign a simple Counselling Agreement.
- Further sessions will be arranged between you and the Counsellor as necessary.
