Student Hub
We offer short-term, focused counselling to support your academic journey and university life. We are not able to offer long-term therapy, but can advise you where you might access this.
Our 'One At A Time’ model, aims to help you make the most of each session.
After each meeting, we encourage you to:
  • reflect on your learning from the session
  • digest this learning for a while
  • take some action based on this learning. For example, you can try out suggestions or strategies and see what effect they have.
  • let time pass
  • decide if you need to book a further session.
When you choose to book another session, you can do so via our online appointment self-scheduling system. Sessions are subject to availability, and you are only able to book one session at a time.
However, we recognise that sometimes students would benefit from a few sessions close together so if we feel this is appropriate, we will discuss that with you at the end of your first meeting.  If that is decided as the best way forward then you will be offered up to 3 further sessions, on a weekly basis.  After these 1 + 3 sessions, you can book on a needs basis throughout the rest of the academic year via the online self-scheduling appointment system.
Interestingly, our data shows that over 50% of students only ever book one session stating they felt the one meeting was helpful and allowed them to move forward and get the best from their time at university both in terms of academic achievement and student experience.
Our aim is to give you space to explore what is happening in your life, bring some focus to your current concerns and to help process that, but also resource you appropriately.
We are delighted to be able to extend our counselling offer with the addition of Associate and Sessional Counsellors.
Additional Sessional (fully trained and experienced) staff support the service at times of peak demand and are therefore with us for periods of up to 3 months at different times of the academic year.
Associate Counsellors are either fully trained, volunteering their time, or trainee counsellors on placement. They are with us from the beginning of October through to the end of June.
Sessional and Associates
  • also work our 1+3 One At A Time model
  • offer weekday sessions and evening sessions up to 19:00 on Wednesdays 

Complex needs and specialist approaches

If your needs are more complex and require a specialist or long-term approach, we will direct you to more appropriate services in the community, including the NHS. Almost all city services operate waiting lists, generally a few months, so we will also suggest other ways of helping yourself in the meantime.

How long will I have to wait?

Once your form has been triaged to Counselling you will be sent the link to book your appointment using our online appointment self-scheduling system.
We hope you will be able to find an appointment within 10 working days, but we are a very busy service and waiting times can sometimes be up to a month.
If you are in urgent need of support, you can refer to support on our immediate help page or access the daily Mental Health Drop-in which is available without prior appointment.

Can I choose the gender of my counsellor?

We have a mix of male and female counsellors. Online appointment self-scheduling allows you to choose your counsellor; individual’s pronouns are displayed on the booking form.
If you are allocated a male/female counsellor but would prefer to change then please notify Student Services.

Counselling and record keeping

Brief notes of your session are kept on a secure, password protected database, accessible only by Student Wellbeing Services staff and Student Services Administrative Support staff.
The fact that you have used our service will not appear on your student record.

Extenuating circumstances letters

You can request a short letter in support of your EC application if you have attended 1 or more session with us. We have a standard template response letter and would normally require 10 day notice to produce at busy times of the year. Sometimes a letter from your GP is more appropriate.
For more information on extenuating circumstances, please see the extenuating circumstances policy.

Accessibility

Physical access
The student wellbeing service reception on the main Plymouth campus is based in the Student Hub, in the Charles Seale-Hayne Library and is fully accessible. Counselling sessions are held in 4 Portland Mews where there is wheelchair access to the ground floor, a waiting area, one consulting room and adapted toilet facilities.
If have an appointment and need it to be in a ground floor room, please contact us on +44 1752 587676 in advance and we'll arrange this for you. If required, we can arrange parking for disabled students in a bay immediately outside the building.
Written materials
All our service publicity can be produced in different formats on request.
How can we help you?
We want to make our service accessible to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. If there are any barriers to you using the service, please contact us and we'll be happy to make alternative arrangements or adjustments wherever possible to accommodate your needs.
TogetherAll

Togetherall

Togetherall is a safe, online, peer-to-peer community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Togetherall is designed to help you take control of your mental health and start to feel better. You will have access to a 24/7 online community and professional support from trained counsellors. Togetherall provides a safe space online to get things off your chest, explore your feelings, get creative and learn how to self-manage your mental health and wellbeing.

Togetherall is free and totally anonymous, so no one will know you’ve chosen to use it unless you tell them!

Find out more about Togetherall

Student Wellbeing Services team 2021

Student Wellbeing Services – Plymouth campus

Student Hub, Charles Seale-Hayne Library, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Opening times: Monday–Friday, 8:30–17:00 (Wednesday open 10:00, Friday close 16:30)

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