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Information about Counselling

The following information will assist you with any immediate questions or concerns you may have about the Service in general.

We hope that the time spent with your counsellor will be beneficial. We encourage you to discuss the counselling process, your progress and any other concerns you may have, with your counsellor.

We welcome any general feedback or comments which will help us to provide an improved service.

 

REMEMBER, PLEASE NOTIFY US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT. THIS WILL HELP TO REDUCE WAITING TIMES FOR APPOINTMENTS

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where do I find the Counselling Service?

 

In Newcastle we are on the Callaghan Campus 

Room HA 209 Hunter Building (opposite the Griffith Duncan Theatre)
Telephone 02 4921 5801

Hours 9am to 5 pm

On the Central Coast we are in the Student Support Unit

Telephone 02 4348 4060

Hours 9am to 5pm

At Port Macquarie the Counselling & Career Service is in Building A

Telephone 02 6581 6200 or 02 6581 6212 to make an appointment.

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Will I have to make an appointment?

Normally an appointment for individual counselling is required. In addition, at both Callaghan and Ourimbah,  there are appointments available for urgent situations. 

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What issues can I discuss with a counsellor?

You may discuss any issue of a personal nature which could interfere with the achievement of your goals. Such issues include – personal and family difficulties, anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship problems, situational stress, and course-related problems such as examination anxiety, motivation, etc. Counselling is a collaborative process whereby you are encouraged and assisted to resolve issues and gain skills.

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Will the counsellor be professionally qualified?

All counsellors are professionally qualified as Psychologists or Social Workers. They are registered as Psychologists in NSW or are accredited members of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Our International student counsellor has expertise in assisting International students

All counsellors spend a considerable amount of time maintaining and updating their professional skills in order to ensure that they offer you a service of high professional standard.

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How long are appointments?

Counselling appointments may take up to fifty minutes and usually start on the hour.

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How many times will I need to come?

For some people one appointment is enough to deal with their issue. Other people need to come more than once.

If counselling is likely to be more than one or two sessions then your counsellor will usually make a contract with you regarding your goals in counselling and a time frame for counselling.

If the counsellor thinks you could benefit from referral to another Service, they will discuss this with you.

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What if I can't keep an appointment?

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify us so that the appointment time can be used by someone else. We would appreciate as much notice as possible.

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Will counselling sessions be confidential?

All contacts with a counsellor are confidential within the Counselling Service.  Counsellors are bound by professional codes of confidentiality. We require your verbal or written permission before we release any information about you to anyone within or outside of the University.

The only exceptions to this strict policy of confidentiality are as follows:

1. When the counsellor makes a professional judgement that you or someone else may be at risk of harm.

2. Counsellors are required by law to disclose information relating to the abuse of children.

3. On rare occasions, the counsellor may be subpoenaed by a court of law to disclose information.

If any of the above circumstances arise the counsellor would discuss the need for disclosure with you.

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How is a professional relationship with a counsellor different from other relationships?

The counselling relationship is a professional relationship and counsellors follow certain eithical principles.

Although within the counselling session there may be a high level of friendliness, counsellors do not become their clients' friends, as this may interfere with the counselling process.

Counsellors are not permited to have romantic or intimate relationships with their clients

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Why are there surveys?

From time to time we may conduct surveys of client satisfaction with our Service. We would appreciate your anonymous participation in such surveys which help us to monitor and improve the Service. We always seek your permission before mailing out a survey form.

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