Initial Appointments

If you haven't been to the Counselling Service before you have two choices in regard to seeing a counsellor: Drop In or Intake Appointment. All counselling sessions for enrolled UNSW students are offered free of charge to students.

(Please note that students who have been seen in the last 6 months should ring the Counselling Service to make an appointment to see the counsellor they previously saw, as drop-in and intake are reserved for students who haven't been seen in the last 6 months.)

Drop-in and intake (pdf flyer)

Drop In

Any student who has not been to the Service in the last 6 months, and who wants to speak with a counsellor, can 'Drop In' during weekdays. Just come to the Service at 9am to sign up and you will be allocated an appointment time later on that same day. Appointment times are usually between 11am and 3.30pm except on Wednesdays, they are between 2pm and 3.30pm (availability varies depending on the day). There are limited numbers of spots available, so the closer to 9am you come the greater the likelihood of getting an appointment that day. There are usually (but not always!) 4-6 spots available on the day.

If all available appointments for the day have already been booked, students without an appointment will be placed on a waiting list. If a student with an appointment slot does not return 15 minutes before their drop-in appointment, a student on the waiting list will be called to see if they can come in.

Students will be asked to register their details on arrival, as well as complete a comprehensive survey and read over some important information on privacy and other issues. This process takes 15-20mins, and will help the counsellor assist you in the most appropriate way possible. It is followed by a half hour appointment with the counsellor.

Intake appointment

An alternative initial appointment that students may use is the intake appointment. These are usually booked up to two weeks in advance with the Counselling Service Reception.

Students will be asked to register their details on arrival, as well as complete a comprehensive survey and read over some important information on privacy and other issues. This process takes 15-20mins, and will help the counsellor assist you in the most appropriate way possible. It is followed by a half hour appointment with the counsellor.

These appointments are often booked out a week ahead (at least, and often longer) so if you need to be seen sooner, it is probably more appropriate to try the Drop In appointment.

Please call us on 02 9385 5418 if you want to book an intake appointment.

Further sessions

During the drop in or intake session the counsellor will talk with you about what you may want and need from counselling and you will try to work out together whether it would be helpful for you to return for a further counselling session or sessions.

All further counselling sessions usually run for 50 minutes, leaving the conventional 'academic five minutes' at the beginning and end of the hour (like lectures) to enable you to arrive and leave in time to get to your next class or other commitment. During your first 50 minute appointment you and your counsellor will usually identify specific goals and areas of development that you want to achieve during your counselling.

Confidentiality

All counselling we provide is confidential - check out your rights as a client for more information.

Late or cancellation?

If you are going to be late or find you are unable to attend an appointment, please notify the Counselling Service at the main (Kensington) Campus on Tel.9385 5418 (preferably) or counselling@unsw.edu.au as soon as you know. If you are seeing a counsellor at the COFA campus, please Tel. 9385 0733. If you would like to reschedule you will be able to do so over the phone.

Please be aware: if you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment slot on that day may be offered to someone else.

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