Why seek counselling?

People attend counselling to talk about personal, emotional, or mental health issues which affect their study and life.

Common issues include:

  • Stress
  • Life transitions, such as adjusting to university
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Study and career issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Addictive behaviours
  • Eating or body image concerns
  • Self-esteem
  • Traumatic experiences
  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Sexuality and gender identity
  • Relationship issues

No issue is too big or too small to get support. You may have a longstanding concern, be facing new challenges at university, or simply feel like something isn’t quite right. In every instance, Counselling and Psychological Services is here for you.

How we can help

Our counsellors are clinical or counselling psychologists and mental health social workers, experienced in working with a variety of people and issues.

Counsellors aim to help by:

  • Creating a safe, non-judgmental space to listen to you
  • Providing a professional and respectful service that values diversity of culture, beliefs, gender, and sexuality (see specialist counselling for LGBTIQA+ students and staff)
  • Being an impartial person to share your thoughts and feelings with
  • Gaining a clearer understanding of your situation, which can include an assessment of your mental health
  • Offering a different perspective of the issue or problem
  • Utilising evidence-based psychological interventions to improve your coping skills
  • Offering advice and information on support and services at UniMelb
  • If necessary, referring you to another professional (e.g., GP, private psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist mental health service).