Counselling services
If you are feeling low, confused or stressed, you might find counselling helpful. Together with an experienced counsellor, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss anything that is troubling you, from academic worries to mental health issues and personal relationship problems. This free service is open to all students and delivered in a safe and confidential environment with a qualified and impartial counsellor.
Weekly Counselling Drop-ins
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.
Fiona between 3-4pm every Wednesday: fiona.morrison.perth@uhi.ac.uk
Claire between 3-4pm every Thursday: claire.nelson.perth@uhi.ac.uk
We would ask that as there is no access to a waiting area at present that you arrive on time for your session, if you do want to arrive early then the college canteen on the first floor can be used, please then return to the reception area at your scheduled session time and your counsellor will meet you there.
You are required to wear a face mask on entry into the counselling room, unless you are exempt from wearing one. Face masks can be removed once you are seated as there is a Perspex stand between the seats in counselling rooms. Hand sanitiser will be offered on entry. Please be assured that all seats, tables and communal areas are wiped down between sessions and windows are opened to air the room. Tissues are available within the room. We would ask you to bring your own water with you at present.
Scheduled Sessions
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
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
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
UHI Online Counselling Service
The University of the Highlands and Islands also offers an online counselling service, find out more about this service here.
Our Counsellors
Counselling Service is made up of 2 full-time counsellors - Claire Nelson and Fiona Morrison. Both Claire and Fiona are registered members of the BACP and adhere to their ethical framework.
To self-refer, or to find out more, please contact us counselling@perth.uhi.ac.uk.
