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Welcome to the Student Counselling Service at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus

The Counselling Service aims to provide a free, confidential and safe environment in which students can discuss with a professional counsellor the personal or study-related issues that are impacting on their ability to study effectively.

The Counselling Service also aims to support students and assist them in developing strategies to manage these difficulties whilst still continuing their studies. This support may take the form of:

  • Individual personal counselling
  • Advocacy with academic staff regarding special arrangements
  • Assistance with appeals

The Counselling Service is able to provide up to six sessions. If longer term counselling or support is required referrals to another professional or community based organisation can be facilitated by the counsellor.

 

Frequently raised Issues

Issues, problems or dilemmas frequently explored in counselling include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Stress management
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Conflict with others
  • Managing illness
  • Balancing the competing demands of family, work and study.
  • Motivation, time management and study habits
  • Domestic violence/abuse
  • Self harm
  • Mental Health Emergency Services 1300 555 788
  • Substance abuse
  • Sexuality issues

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How to make an Appointment with the Counsellor

 To make an appointment with a counsellor you can:

  • Phone reception at the Student Life Office on 9433 0580 or
  • Attend the reception desk at the Student Life Office (ND9 – opposite St Teresa Library)

Appointment Information:

Appointments with the counsellor are free to students attending the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Appointments are generally for 50 minutes duration.

Urgent appointments can be accommodated usually within a twenty four hour period. However, the reception staff need to be notified if an urgent appointment is required.

Cancellations: If you are unable to attend an appointment, please telephone the Student Life Office as soon as possible to cancel or make another time. This enables the counsellors to see another student in your place. If you are running late, a courtesy phone call would be appreciated.

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Confidentiality

The Counselling Service is staffed by professional Psychologists & Counsellors and, therefore is committed to a professional Code of Ethics. This ensures that the information revealed by you in a counselling session remains confidential and will only be disclosed to another person with your prior written permission. On occasion, counsellors confer with each other about their work with clients, this is common professional practice and no identifying information is revealed.
There are exceptions to confidentiality and these are:

  • Where a clear risk exists to your safety or the safety of others;
  • Where a court has subpoenaed records or requested that a counsellor be present as a witness;
  • Where laws require mandatory disclosure of information

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Special Consideration, Deferred Examinations, Appeals and other Academic Issues

If you have personal circumstances that have, or are, impacting on your ability to study effectively, the Student Counsellors may be able to help you to understand the options available to you, given your particular circumstances. The Student Counselling Service may be able to advocate on your behalf with Academic and Administrative Staff within the University. It must be understood that a visit to the Student Counselling Service does not necessarily mean you will be granted requests or extensions or assignments, deferred examinations or withdrawal from Units without penalties. These decisions are made by the Administrative and Academic Staff of the University.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies, it is always important to speak with your Lecturer, Tutor or Course Coordinator. Your issues or concerns can often be dealt with immediately by the Academic Staff. If you feel unable to contact Academic Staff directly, the Student Counsellor may be able to advocate on your behalf in these circumstances.

  • Brochure
  • Form (Special Consideration)

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Crisis Situations

The Student Counselling Service is unable to offer a drop in Crisis Counselling Service; however, there are options available for urgent appointments each week. If your situation is urgent, please tell the staff taking your call this information. Where possible, the Student Counselling Office will attempt to provide immediate support to students in a crisis situation.

Other options for Crisis Counselling within the Fremantle area are:

Lifeline: Ph 131114
Centacare: Ph 93256644
Relationships Australia: Ph 93362144
MensLine: Ph 9340 1820
SARC: Ph 1800 199888
Alcohol and Drug Information Service: Ph 9442 5000

 

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Other Helpful Contacts

The following information may also be useful to your particular situation:

Centrelink:
www.centrelink.gov.au

Lifeline:
www.lifelinewa.org.au
24 hr Phone Counselling: 131114

Drug and Alcohol Support:

Drug Information & Counselling:
The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
Ph: 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 toll-free outside metro area
www.drugaware.com.au

Alcoholics Anonymous:
http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org.au

 

Mental Health Support and Information Services:

Depression -
Beyond Blue
www.beyondblue.org.au

ARAFMI – Mental Health Carers and Friends Association
www.arafmi.asn.au

Mental Illness Fellowship WA (formerly the Schizophrenia Fellowship)
www.mifwa.com

Dept of Health WA
www.health.wa.gov.au

 

Domestic Violence Support Women:

Centrecare Counselling and Family Support Services:
www.centrecare.com.au
Ph: 08 93256644

Kinway Counselling and Family Support Services:
www.kinway.org.au

Domestic Violence Support Men:

Centrecare Counselling and Family Support Services:
www.centrecare.com.au
Ph: 08 93256644

www.kinway.org.au

Sexual Assault Support Services:

Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
24 Hour Crisis Line: 08 9340 1828
1800 199888 (freecall)

Gambling Help:

Gambling Help WA:
ph 08 9325 5133
www.centrecare.com.au

Financial Counselling Services:

www.centrecare.com.au
www.kinway.org.au

 

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