The Counselling & Wellbeing Service is here to help and support you throughout your time at University. We understand that all aspects of life can be effected by life events or changes in our wellbeing and our aim is to support your satisfaction and vitality as you move through your academic journey.
One-At-A-Time (OAAT) Counselling
We are a short-term service and we will be transparent about what is both appropriate and achievable within the scope of a university service.
Longer term or specialised support may require a referral to the NHS or to an external organisation.
With these sessions we schedule with the intent that one session may be enough to support you with the most significant issue at the time of your session. Often they can be solution-focused, providing you with new insights, tools, or suggestions for addressing the main issue you are facing. On the other hand, these sessions can be a space to pause, reflect or contain distress during a time of high stress.
When you get in contact with us you will be asked to complete our questionnaire so that you can get the most of our session with us at the earliest opportunity.
Opening Hours
Appointments with our team can be in person, by telephone or video call or via chat or email. You can contact the service Monday to Friday, between 9:30 & 16:00.
Wellbeing & Counselling appointments are available on week days and some evenings through the week.
Appointments
Your first appointment will be a wellbeing appointment with the Student Wellbeing Advisor or one of our Counsellors.
Making a first wellbeing appointment is simple. Book online using AskRGU or phone 01224 262120, or if you are on campus, visit the Student Life Hub at the Ishbel Gordon Building, Level 3.
- Click on ‘My Appointments’
- Search for ‘Student Wellbeing Advisor’
- Select an appointment time
- Click ‘Book’
If you can only see appointments for the next two weeks, please extend the date search for further appointments.
The Wellbeing Advisor or Counsellor may refer you to counselling or other support services within RGU, or continue to have wellbeing appointments.
If referred to Counselling, the Counselling Co-ordinator will make contact with you and book an appointment that is suitable to you and your preferred method of contact.
Further Assistance on Moodle
We can support you whether you are on campus, on placement, working full time, learning online or have family commitments.
Current students can log into our page on Moodle for more information & resources
Counselling Mythbusting
Tutors will find out I have been to the service
Tutors, Lecturers and academic staff will not know that you have attended the service unless you choose to tell them. We are bound by strict codes of practice in how we store and share information and any contact with the service is not on your academic record.
It's not about my studies, can I still get support?
We support students with anything that is getting in the way of you having a good University experience. If it is important to you, we will take you seriously.
It's hard to access these services from off campus
We have a range of wellbeing and counselling appointments: daytime and evening by Teams, telephone, email or chat, so we can meet you wherever you are in a way that suits you.
There’s a long waiting list
We are pleased that this is no longer the case; over the last few years our team has grown and we are able to accommodate students who request a service.
I don’t want to commit to a block of sessions
We offer an initial wellbeing appointment where you can ask further questions and discuss your hopes and any concerns about seeking support. You can agree to meet the Wellbeing Advisor again, find information on other external services, or if you request to so so, be referred to counselling. Once you are allocated a counsellor you will discuss your needs with them. We are committed to supporting you having choice in how you use what we have to offer.
You can use as as few sessions as you need. You can come for one and see how it goes, and if that feels enough for you and you get what you need, you don't have to use the rest. You and the counsellor will talk about this as you go along. We work on a short -term basis offering up to 4 sessions each academic year.
Other Support Services
Find out about the services available from the university and externally:
Urgent Help
If you require immediate help, please contact:
- Your GP
- NHS24 - Urgent Health Advice
- "Our 111 service is here to provide urgent health advice out of hours, when your GP Practice or Dentist is closed."
- Call Free on 111
- For more information: www.nhs24.scot
Emergency Services - Call 999 in life threatening situations