Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling?
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. For students with deadlines to meet and the constraints of the examination system, such difficulties can at times feel overwhelming and have a serious impact on their ability to sustain academic performance. Counselling can help by exploring with you the problems you experience and your attempts to solve the problem. New ways of coping will also be explored. The approach to counselling at the Students' Union is based on systematic and cognitive behavioural therapies and is focused on problem solving.
What happens in counselling?
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.
What is a counsellor?
A counsellor is a trained professional experienced in dealing with a wide range of emotional and personal problems. Sheila Gill is a nationally accredited counsellor and trainer. She has co-authored a number of books on the theory and practice of counselling. She subscribes to the ethical code of "The British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists".
Length of counselling
Counselling may take less time than you think.
This will depend on the nature of your problem and will be discussed with you during the first session. Sometimes one session will be enough to restore your confidence in order to solve your problem. At other times several sessions may be needed up to a maximum of 6. A session lasts about 45/50 minutes. Students will be invited to arrange a review date to ensure progress is maintained.
Is the service confidential?
The service is absolutely confidential, which means your identity and anything you talk about with the counsellor will not be shared with anyone. All documentation will be kept locked away. To ensure that the counselling service is appropriate and effective, the counsellor meets regularly with a trained supervisor external to the institution. From time to time it is necessary for students to be referred to another agency either within or outside LSE. If this occurs, the counsellor will ask for the student's consent.
What if I feel embarrassed?
People sometimes feel embarrassed talking about intimate matters. The counsellors are trained to respect your feelings and discuss any topic you may raise without judging or criticising you.
Problem solving
Who seeks counselling?
Students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, from diverse national groups and academic disciplines seek counselling.
Problems and difficulties students in the past have sought help with include:
- Settling into LSE/London
- Loneliness and homesickness
- Depression
- Unexplained change in mood such as feeling miserable/tense/tearful
- Anxiety/panic
- Exam stress
- Harassment
- Issues about sex and sexuality
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Self harm
- Suicide (If you have suicidal thoughts/thoughts of self harm/currently self harm, it is advisable to make contact directly with your doctor.
- Acute concern on behalf of another student
- Disability
- Serious medical conditions
Note:
It is advisable for every student to be registered with a general practitioner. Students who live in the catchment area of St Philip's Medical Centre can register with a doctor there.
Does the counselling service cost anything?
The counselling service is free to LSE students.
Location
Where is the counselling service located?
The Advice and Counselling Centre at the Students' Union (see below).
How do I make contact?
Either telephone or drop into the Advice and Counselling Centre. The counsellor is available on Fridays 10am-3pm.
Students' Union
Advice and Counselling Centre
E297
East Building
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
020 7955 7145
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