Counselling Service
There are times in life when we may need some extra support with our mental health. This can be due to high stress, academic challenges, isolation, changes in circumstances and, bereavement. Sometimes we need support with finding out why we are not feeling well.
Counselling Service
Counselling allows you to talk with a qualified professional about what is difficult for you in a confidential and therapeutic space. With your counsellor, you can work on exploring difficult feelings and events, finding ways to process them and rebuilding resilience and healthy coping strategies.
The Counselling team can offer six to eight weekly sessions with a qualified counsellor. These sessions will take place face-to-face or online through Microsoft Teams. We can see students at all four of our campuses. Please note your preference when completing the self-referral. We try to offer you counselling in the form that works best for you, but if you have limited availability, you may have to wait a little longer.
If you have any questions or concerns, please refer to the Counselling FAQs. If, after reading the FAQs, you have further questions please contact the team by emailing counsellingreferrals@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
Referral process
There are a few different ways that you can access counselling, you choose whichever you feel most comfortable with:
- To refer yourself to counselling please fill in the self-referral form
- If you’re unsure if counselling is right for you, you can visit the My EC app or the Wellbeing Hub to schedule a 1-to-1 appointment with a Wellbeing Advisor. They will guide you through the referral process and answer further questions, although you need to fill out the form yourself. You can contact the team by emailing wellbeing@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
- You could also speak to your Learning Development Tutor (LDT) or Learning Support Advisor (LSA) if you would like some guidance with your referral but you will need to fill out the form yourself.
After the counselling team has received your referral form they will get in touch with you on your college email address to schedule an appointment with you.
Please read our Privacy Notice before submitting your referral to the Wellbeing team.
Self-help
Edinburgh College has partnered with SilverCloud to provide a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing online modules free for students and staff. It’s easy to get started and there are programmes on resilience, positive body image, anxiety and more. Sign up for SilverCloud Health.
What if I am in crisis?
We are not a crisis service. If you need urgent assistance please dial 999. In the event of a crisis, please contact one of the organisations.
| Organisations that can help | Contact Information |
|---|---|
|
Samaritans A National Service for anything that is worrying you. Open 24 hours. |
Call: 116 123 |
|
Edinburgh Crisis Centre Support for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Open 24 hours. |
Call: 0800 8010 414 |
|
NHS 24 Critical health support, including mental health. Open outside GP opening hours |
Call: 111 |
|
Breathing Space A confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed. Open evenings and weekends (Monday - Thursday 6.00 PM - 2.00 AM and Friday 6.00 PM - Monday 6.00 AM) |
Call: 0800 838587 |
|
Mental Health Assessment Service
Open 24 hours. |
Call: 0131 286 8137 |
Counselling Service FAQs
Frequently asked questions about our Counselling Service.
There are times in life when we need some extra support with our mental health. This can be due to high stress, academic challenges, changes in circumstances and, bereavement. Sometimes what we need support with is finding out why we are not feeling well.
Counselling allows you to talk with a qualified professional about what is difficult for you in a confidential and therapeutic space.
Together with your counsellor, you can work on exploring difficult feelings or events, finding ways to process them and work on rebuilding resilience and healthy coping mechanisms. Counselling is the process of talking to a trained professional in confidence who will help you think through your situation. It’s also a space to discuss your problems, worries and any difficult feelings you are experiencing.
The Counselling team will be in contact with you to confirm that they have received your referral form and confirm that you are on the waiting list.
The Counselling team will contact you via your Edinburgh College email. We will only contact you by phone if we are concerned for your wellbeing and you have not replied to our emails.
Please remember to check your college email regularly and respond to any messages from the Counsellors as it’s your responsibility to take up your offer of a place.
We can’t give students a specific timeframe concerning how long they will be on the waiting list due to the high demand for the service. However, we aim for students to be seen at the soonest possible appointment.
You will be offered six to eight counselling sessions lasting 50 minutes each. These sessions will take place face-to-face or online through Microsoft Teams. We can see students at all four of our campuses.
You will be able to note your preference when completing the self-referral. We try to offer you counselling in the form that best suits you. If you have limited availability, you might find that you will have to wait a little longer.
If you are still on the waiting list then please contact the Counselling Service to make that you would like to be removed from the waiting list by emailing counsellingreferrals@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
If you start Counselling and would like to stop then please contact your Counsellor directly and make them aware.
If you don’t turn up twice to your appointments and do not let anyone know you cannot attend, this will result in you being withdrawn from the service. This will allow someone else to take up that place and engage with the service. We require 24 hours' notice if you are not going to be able to attend. Less than 24 hours' notice will count towards your number of sessions.
We understand that sometimes, things happen last minute, but please be sure to tell us you cannot attend.
Unfortunately, your name will be removed from the Counselling waiting list as only enrolled students can access the Counselling Service.
You can read about the terms and conditions in the Counselling Agreement.