We at University Health and Counselling we provide short-term counselling support for students, for any issues that are impacting on their studies (e.g. life challenges, relationships, family, sexuality, depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol/drug issues). Our counselling enables you to explore issues that are causing you concern and affecting your university studies. Together with the counsellor or psychologist, you can clarify goals and develop new skills, insights and strategies to deal with the difficulties that you are currently facing. Counselling draws on your existing strengths and knowledge of what works for you, as well as offering a fresh perspective, as appropriate.
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Services Offered
Counselling services - Often 2 to 3 sessions is enough to help to manage things better and get back on track but if you need more sessions, we can discuss this with you and work together to develop a plan or offer referrals if appropriate.
* Concern about possibility of suicide or serious harm to self or someone else * Recent rape or assault or harassment * Witness to a traumatic event * Acute deterioration of an existing mental health condition.
Physical and sexual abuse - Sexual assault is under reported nationally - there are many reasons why people choose not to disclose or report sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault talk about being scared they won't be believed, not being sure if what they experienced was sexual assault, not wanting to get other people who are often known to them in trouble, or not wanting to talk about it and just forget it happened. We want you to know that at The University of Auckland your wellbeing and health is very important to us - your disclosure will be taken seriously, and our aim is to ensure you receive the support and care you need to make a decision that is best for you. Here is some information to help you choose which of the following pathways works best for you.
Managing anxiety - This is a two-session psycho-educational and skills based group. You will learn about anxiety, and the impact anxiety can have on your thoughts, feelings, body, and behaviour. You will be introduced to strategies to help manage symptoms of anxiety, and will have the opportunity to practice these strategies between sessions. We will review the skills learned, and discuss what supported your practice, and any barriers you may have faced in implementing these new skills.
Mindfulness for academic success (MAS) - The MAS programme is aimed at improving academic performance and enhancing physical and psychological wellbeing. You will learn core mindfulness techniques to help lower stress and anxiety levels, improve concentration and memory, and overcome procrastination.
Social confidence group - Learn how to manage social anxiety, build up self-esteem and improve confidence in social situations.
Mood management group - This structured group will help you overcome depression and learn coping skills that focus on negative thinking patterns, reactivating your life and reaching goals that are important to you. Being in a small, supportive group helps reduce the isolation of depression and improves motivation.
Introduction to intuitive eating - This group is designed for women who struggle with binge eating, emotional eating or eating past fullness. The group will explore some of the origins and impact of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours around food and body image. We will develop strategies with a focus on compassionate alternatives to dieting, eating past fullness and compensating.
Support with the experience of losing a parent - Losing a parent in your 20s or younger is a traumatic event that can be overwhelming and isolating. The aim of this group is to support students who have experienced the death of a parent, by providing the opportunity to share their experiences with other young people who know exactly how they feel. The group focuses on increasing strategies and enabling students to find a way of living with the loving memory of their parent while building new strengths and hope for the future.
Fees and Payment
You are not able to pay for additional sessions. Given the numbers of students trying to access the University Health and Counselling Service, we felt that a limited number of sessions was the only way to ensure equal availability for all students wishing to attend counselling. We can refer you for additional support if this is required.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
