What is counselling?

Counselling is a process that focuses on enhancing the psychological well-being of the client, such that the client is then able to reach their full potential.

Psychological well-being

This is achieved by the counsellor facilitating personal growth, development, and self-understanding in the client, which in turn will empowers the client to adapt more constructive life practices. The counsellors work in a problem-solving manner with the particular issue.

• confidentiality
• counselling process
• initial interview
• further appointments
• differing counselling approaches
• length of counselling
• satisfaction

Confidentiality

Your counsellor treats all the information you share as confidential material. The counsellors are involved in case consultations and supervision for the purposes of best practice. These meetings involve discussion of clients concerns with the aim of formulating the best possible assessment and intervention plan. Where possible, the identifying personal information is removed from the discussion.

Restrictions on of the release of information

Information that you share with your Counsellor will not be released to anyone outside Student Services without your prior written permission, except under certain unusual and rare circumstances as indicated by relevant State and Commonwealth legislation to which the University complies. These restrictions are detailed in the Student Services Confidentiality and Privacy Policy. Please feel free to discuss with your counsellor any concerns you have regarding confidentiality.

The counselling process

The counselling process will depend on the individual counsellor, the individual client and the specific issue.  However, there is a general counselling process that the counsellors will follow:

Initial interview

Reception will ask you to complete a personal data sheet. During your initial interview, the counsellor will discuss your concerns with you, and explore with you the alternative services if indicated.  By the end of the initial interview you and your counsellor may decide on one of the following options:

• no further counselling is required at this time, if during the initial interview you have been able to clarify your concerns, and plan an appropriate course of action.
• further appointments are needed to further explore the issues before reaching a decision, this process may include some form of assessment.
• short-term counselling is indicated, make further appointments at suitable time.
• alternative services are appropriate and the counsellor will assist you to identify specific resources to consider and pursue.

Further appointments

Following your initial interview you and the counsellor will decide on one of several directions.  If the direction chosen is ongoing counselling then a second appointment will be made for you either by the counsellor or by reception.

Differing counselling approaches

Counsellors work from differing theoretical approaches. For some counsellors, the focus is on solving problems here and now, dealing with more immediate, 'here and now' issues.  Different counsellors will place varying levels of emphasis on behaviour, on thinking and/or on emotional aspects. All counsellors have the central goal to assist you in increasing your sense of well-being.

Length of counselling

Change doesn't happen quickly for most of us. The length of treatment depends a number of variables. Variables include: the severity of the problem, the motivation of the client, the type of problem and the age of the client. The more focused and limited the problem being addressed, the shorter treatment can be. The more the treatment addresses healing emotional injuries, the longer it is likely to take.

Satisfaction

If you feel dissatisfied with any aspect of the Counselling Services, you are encouraged to discuss your concerns with the Senior Counsellor.