The UNDA Counselling Service, Sydney Campus

The Counselling Service aims to provide a free, confidential and safe environment in which students can discuss with a counsellor any personal or study-related issues that are impacting on their ability to study effectively. We are here to support you and assist you in developing strategies to manage your difficulties whilst still continuing your studies. 

We provide short term counselling interventions. If longer term counselling or support is required referrals to another professional or community based organisation can be facilitated by the counsellor.

How to make an appointment

Phone (02) 8204 4220 to speak to one of the counsellors or leave a message.

Email sydney.counselling@nd.edu.au and tell us whether you would like to see someone on the Broadway site or Darlinghurst site, and what days and times would suit you the most.

Opening hours

On the Broadway site the Counselling Service is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday during semester, and Monday, Tuesday and Friday during the breaks.

On the Darlinghurst site there are counsellors available by appointment during semester.

What do people talk about?

Counselling is a process of talking and listening which may help to creatively resolve problems. The kinds of issues which students frequently discuss are:

• concerns about study-related issues (concentration, motivation, academic expectations, writing, and sitting exams are just a few examples)
• difficulties in relationships with significant others (family, partners, friends)
• questions of identity, self-esteem and confidence
• feelings of depression, anxiety and fear
• loss or trauma
• stress or conflict at home, work or University
• coping with disabilities or health problems
  
  

What should I expect?

An individual counselling session is usually of 50 – 55 minutes duration. The number of sessions will vary but the majority of students are seen for between one and four sessions.

What if I can’t make it to my appointment?

If for whatever reason you cannot attend an appointment, please telephone the Counselling Service on (02) 8204 4220 to cancel or make another time. This is really important as it enables the counsellors to see someone else who may also require an appointment. In addition, a courtesy phone call to alert of a late arrival would be appreciated.

What do you do with the information I give you?

The Counselling Service is staffed by professional psychologists and social workers.  As professionals we are therefore committed to a professional code of ethics, and are required to maintain records of our counselling sessions and treatment plans. These records are kept confidential within the Counselling Service and are not accessible to any person outside the service. Information provided by you is not transferred in part or whole to any other staff within the University or recorded on your student record..

If you have used the Counselling Service you are able to request access to your personal records. The counsellor may discuss with you appropriate forms of access.

Will you talk to other people about me?

We may only release information to someone external to the Counselling Service under certain circumstances. These circumstances include:

• Client initiated: When permission is given by you to disclose information to a third party or parties. The permission must be in the form of a signed statement by the you.
• Legal requirement: Response to a legal subpoena for documents to be produced, or for the counsellor to appear before a State or Federal Court, or an over-riding legal requirement to breach the understanding of confidentiality. These circumstances would normally involve: statutory obligations, illegal/criminal activities, or the prevention of harm to others. They can include mandatory reporting of notifiable conduct of a registered health practitioner or registered health student.
  
• Duty of care: When your behaviour is considered by the counsellor to be a danger to yourself or others.

What about emergencies?

We are 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 Counselling Service will attempt to provide immediate support to students in a crisis situation.

After hours mental health emergency contacts:

Broadway site: Concord Centre for Mental Health (After Hours)                 (02) 9767 5000

Darlinghurst site: St Vincent’s Hospital (request Crisis Mental Health Team) (02) 8382 1111

Other useful contacts:

Police/ Ambulance/ Fire Brigade	000
Lifeline (24 hour phone counselling)  www.lifeline.org.au	13 11 14
Mental Health Access Line	1800 636 825
NSW Rape Crisis Line (24 hours) www.nswrapecrisis.com.au	1800 424 017
Salvos Crisis Line www.salvos.org.au	(02) 87363295
Alcohol and Drug Information Service	1800 422 599
NSW Poisons Information Centre	13 11 26
Kids Helpline www.kidshelp.com.au	1800 551 800