People sometimes experience emotional or personal problems that they find hard to cope with by themselves. These problems may be to do with changed circumstances (setting into university life), difficulties in relationships, unexplained changes in mood, such as feeling low, anxious or stressed. When this happens, you may feel it useful to see a professional counsellor.  Counselling can help by exploring with you the problems you experience and your attempts to solve the problem.  The approach to counselling at the Students' Union is based on systematic and cognitive behavioural therapies and is focused on problem solving.

Counselling involves talking, thinking and doing. The counsellor may prompt you by asking questions and making observations that will help you to look at things in different ways in order to help you to find alternative ways to deal with your problems. You will be actively involved in all aspects of the counselling.

Sheila Gill is a trained counsellor experienced in dealing with a range of emotional and personal problems. She is available on Fridays at the Advice Centre, between the hours of 10:00 – 15:00.

It is helpful for the counsellor if you would complete the following questionnaire rating how you have felt over the past seven days and bring it with you to the first counselling session. The completed form can help to establish a relevant focus for the first counselling session and for future ongoing Work. To download this form click here

We suggest that every student be registered with a medical practitioner (G.P).  This is especially recommended if you have had recent thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life.

Please see the self-help resources and computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programmes for a range of useful slf help material available to you on a wide range of topics.

In case of emergencies or feelings of suicide please see the student counselling emergencies page.

If you suffer from emotional or well being or mental health issues, you can also see Jane Sedgwick, j.sedgwick@lse.ac.uk - the Mental Health and Well Being Advisor for the LSE’s Teaching and Learning Centre.

Please also refer to the schools counselling service, our self-help section or our leaflet download section for advice.

The LSE SU Student Counselling Service adheres to the BACP Ethical Framework. Please ensure that students read the Service Confidentiality Policy before their first appointment. The Policy is available from the reception. The Legal and Welfare service complies to the Data Protection Act 1998, however, some circumstances to resolve student’s problems, or to negotiate on their behalf in representation, we may need to contact relevant third parties. We will only contact those parties if the student authorise us to do so.