Weekly Counselling Drop-ins

We offer online or face-to-face drop-in sessions. Drop-in can be used to find out more about counselling and the service so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether counselling is right for you. The counsellors can also then work with you and if there are any other external agencies that would better support your needs they can look to make recommendations or support you to refer.

If you are interested, all you need to do is email the counsellor below who’s available timeslot suits you best. Let them know which method of drop-in you would prefer, either online (phone of VC) or face-to-face, and they will book you an individual slot. Appointment slots will be a minimum of 30 minutes each, are 1:1 and are private and confidential.

Claire between 3-4pm every Thursday: claire.nelson.perth@uhi.ac.uk

Scheduled Sessions

We will contact you to offer you an initial meeting to see if counselling is suitable for you. If it is, you will be offered up to 6 sessions, each 50 minutes long.  Our counsellors won’t look to give advice, instead they will look to work with you to explore the problems you are experiencing, decide what you want to get from the sessions, and help you find the way forward you want for yourself.

Counselling sessions are private and confidential and any notes taken during or after sessions will be stored according to the most recent GDPR regulations and stored securely.

What we expect from you

We expect you to make a serious commitment to counselling, arriving on time for your appointment and giving us as much as possible notice if you are not able to attend.  If you have any questions for your counsellor we encourage you to discuss these and so you can get the most out of your sessions.  Counselling can be hard work, you may be discussing your feelings and emotions and we realise that for some people this is not what they are used to.  We want you to know your counsellor will be with you every step of the way and we acknowledge your journey.

Crisis Support

If you are having a mental health crisis right now, find numbers you can call for help.

View and download the list of NHS Tayside Support Services

Download the UHI list of support helplines

Samaritans

Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgemental support – 24 hour service. Call: 116 123

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse for Perth is a non-profit organisation providing a place of safety for people who are at crisis point of self-harm/suicide. Call 0800 121 4820. For crisis support email: help@lighthouseforperth.org

SHOUT

Do you need help now? This crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text SHOUT to 85258.

Breathing Space 

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Call: 0800 83 85 87

mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

SAMH

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity.  

UHI Online Counselling Service

The University of the Highlands and Islands also offers an online counselling service, find out more about this service here.