At UNSW Counselling Service COMPASS Programs we have chosen the compass as our symbol.

The compass is a symbol of direction or guidance.

UNSW Counselling Service COMPASS Programs offer support in helping students to find their own way at university.

We help students work out where they're headed and how to stay on track - or sometimes how to get back on track.

FAQs about the Counselling Service

What kinds of services do we provide?
What are my rights as a client of the counselling service?
Who are the Counselling Service team?
How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor?
What about confidentiality?
Why use the Counselling Service COMPASS Programs?
What kinds of things do students come to see us about?
Self help resources?
Referral options?
Should I see a counsellor?
Where is the Counselling Service located?

Our Aims
Our Mission
Our Values
Cultural Diversity Statement

What kinds of services do we provide?

We have lots of different things on offer!

For students we have:

• individual counselling
• programs, workshops and seminars
• self help resources

The vast majority of these services are offered to UNSW students free of charge.

For schools, faculties and individual staff we also provide support in:

• consultation re student issues
• training programs for initiatives such as the Peer Mentor Scheme or Campus Care Program for Students At Risk
• tailored workshops for groups of students

If any member of staff would like confidential personal counselling they may contact the UNSW Employee Assistance Program provider, Davidson Trahaire on 1300 360 364.

And for postgraduate students in counselling and clinical psychology we have an internship program where we provide field placement experience under the supervision of our experienced counsellors.

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What else do we do?

Everything we do comes under the banner of our COMPASS Programs, including the above services for students and staff.

Through COMPASS Programs we also extend an outreach arm to the UNSW community as a whole, assisting student initiated campaigns such as the Yellow Ribbon program for raising awareness of depression, or collaborating with other departments like the UNSW Educational Technology and Development Centre (EDTeC) on projects like U-connect, a brief online orientation course for new UNSW students. Check out our COMPASS Programs description for more information about what we do.

Who are the Counselling Service team?

We are a combination of our Admin / Reception team - who are the support and organisation behind the scenes as well as our front-line reception - and our Counselling team, who are behind most of our COMPASS programs and are often seen in schools and faculties and around campus when they are not in their offices counselling students.

All the counselling staff at the Counselling Service are registered psychologists with postgraduate training and an interest in student well being and development. As a team we are dedicated to providing a high quality professional service for the whole UNSW community.

Find out more about individual staff members.

How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor?

See our appointment and drop-in procedures (it's very easy).

What about confidentiality?

All counselling we provide is confidential - see your rights as our client for more information on this.

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Why use the Counselling Service COMPASS Programs?

Here's some of the reasons we think are good ones - why not see if you 'qualify' for any of these!

Students may want:

• someone to talk to who's professional, confidential and separate from their friends/family
• help with a tricky problem
• advice or information about something to do with uni, or something personal
• to read some self-help information or books that we recommend
• short term counselling for something that is upsetting them in some way
• to enhance life skills such as communication or problem solving
• to further develop their self-knowledge and personal growth
• moral support in attempting something challenging
• information about what other services are available to them
• a chance to volunteer for programs like the Peer Mentor scheme and gain valuable experience and skills for their career and employment prospects
• or something else - in which case, just ask if we can help!

Staff may want:

• guidance in how to best adivse a particular student
• a workshop or seminar for a particular group of their students
• information they can pass on to students about referral options
• to discuss ideas for a school or faculty based program
• a Campus Care program workshop to help their staff in dealing with students at risk
• or something else - again, please ask

What kinds of things do students come to see us about?

Students use us for a variety of reasons, as you can see above. Everyone finds themselves in difficult circumstances at some time in their lives. When students first start at university they commonly encounter a number of issues which can cause distress:

• academic or administrative problems
• choosing the program that's right for you
• study difficulties
• making the transition from school or work to uni
• balancing work, study and life

On top of this students may have personal difficulties such as:

• relationship problems with peers
• family issues
• difficulties managing emotions
• ongoing problems with anxiety, stress, shyness, depression, low self esteem etc.

And of course there are many others. Our counsellors are well equipped to help you help yourself through these and many other common problems. But students also come to us to focus on positive areas of personal development and life skills which can greatly increase enjoyment, performance and satisfaction with uni and other important areas of your life...

skills like:

• efficient time management
• communicating and relating skills
• how to grow your own self esteem
• creative thinking and insight
• developing the researcher in you

Self help resources?

Don't forget to check out our collection of online self help information sheets and our resource library of self help books which are on display here in our Self Help Area. We are currently building our collections so let us know if you have a good suggestion or if what you're looking for is not there.

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Referral options?

Sometimes we may also refer students to other services either within the University (student support services such as the Arc, the Learning Centre, or Student Services) or out in the community (such as specialist private counsellors or community services) if the student agrees to this.

So as you can see, we do lots of different things in order to help students help themselves!

Should I see a counsellor?

Sometimes students are unsure about whether a counsellor is the best person to see about their situation. If this is you, we suggest you give us a try anyway! Why not make an appointment or come to drop-in , talk to a counsellor and find out for yourself? Most times within the first session you and your counsellor would come to some agreement about what might be a useful next step. It's up to you to decide whether you think the counsellor can be of any further help to you after that initial session or whether you might prefer to tackle the issue on your own. Or you might choose a combination of these approaches.

And if we cannot help you we can usually point you in the right direction of someone who can. Of course if you have friends and family you feel you can talk to we highly recommend doing this as well. Finding someone who will listen to you or asking for help from someone you trust can be a much greater sign of inner strength than trying to do it all yourself all of the time!

Where is the Counselling Service located?

On the College of Fine Arts (CoFA) campus we have a counselling office on the ground floor of G Block, Room 05, Tel 9385 0733.

On main campus we are just off the Basser steps on Level 2 of the East Wing of the Quadrangle Building. Have a look at the map or give us a call on 9385 5418 if you can't find us!

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Our Aims

We aim to provide counselling and personal development opportunities for students. We actively promote the overall mental and physical health and well being of our students to help them get the most out of their time at UNSW, participate fully in campus life and intelligently prepare for life outside of uni. We aim to consult with and support schools, faculties and academic and administrative staff in the very important job of helping their students.

Our Mission

To provide high quality, cost effective and relevant services free of charge to UNSW students and assist students to find their full academic potential.

To assist the University to achieve its strategic objectives through program planning, and development, consultation with Faculties and administrative units and participation in the implementation and evaluation of student support strategies, policies and programs.

Our Values

• Values of professionalism (especially with regard to empathy for the student, both collectively and individually), ethical behaviour, ongoing professional development and learning are embraced by the staff of the Counselling Service
• Recognition of the creative power of the individual, and of cultural, social and religious diversity within communities
• Recognition of the contributions of staff in both individual and team contexts
• Respect for the process of self - actualisation and the capacity of the individual for independent learning
• Commitment to the principles of PREP: Performance, Reporting, Evaluation and Planning
• Accountability and transparency in the workplace
• Recognition of the creative, social and educational impact of the UNSW community within society
• Accessibility and flexibility in higher education
• Supporting equity and access initiatives
• Creativity and innovation in service design and delivery
• Maintenance of emotional and physical health

Cultural Diversity Statement


UNSW values the many different social, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds of its students and staff by providing:

• socially and culturally appropriate curricula and academic support and services;
• an accessible campus environment;
• flexible study/work practices for those with family and other responsibilities or disabilities;
• training on diversity management and cross-cultural communication.

UNSW also values the contributions of such diversity towards enhancing our international reputation.

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