Student Feedback (2009-10)

Friendly atmosphere

Very welcoming staff and they make it very easy to talk about anything that you may need to.

Lovely manner and I was treated exactly how I wanted to be treated; not at all patronising but incredibly friendly. Really helped me.

All the members of staff I encounter were very friendly and helpful, and made the experience much easier than I thought it would be.

Individual counselling

I find the service very useful, having someone to talk to that isnt directly involved with your problems helps lift a weight off your own shoulders. It has helped me to keep focus and not let problems affect my studying.

Going for counselling always seems so scary, but everything was dealt with really well, I was seen within a matter of days and it was good just to be able to talk to someone without feeling like a freak for feeling like this!

Evening appointments

I was seen on Thursday evenings, which was a great help, as being a medic i'm usually in placement 9-5 and can't really take a half day off a week for councelling.

Skills For Life groups and workshops

The Skills for Life relaxation workshops are great.

The group councelling sessions were very beneficial to me and it was a great relief to meet people in similar circumstances to me.

I have been in the relationship therapy group since September and have found it very helpful. The Counselling service has been great; my therapists have been very helpful and I wish I had come to it sooner!

Comments about counsellors

My counsellor is an exemplary example of the sensitive, understanding, and non-judgemental therapist and listener. She portrayed the image of a friend rather than a staff member and I truly appreciate that from her.

I feel that my counsellor understands me and listens to me. Most importantly, she cares and is trying to help me. I value her very much.

She was just fantastic as a counsellor. I'd had bad experiences with counselling in the past and was very reluctant to come to UCS on my GP's recommendation but I am SO glad I did, it turned my experience of my final year around and gave me coping skills which will continue to help my future life after Uni.

Some frustrations

Really feel that an hour isn't enough. It's as if you've just scratched the surface with whatever you're discussing, and then it ends.

Very friendly. Waiting time is a little long for appointments, however once the intial assessment was made it has been a lot quicker to make appointments.

The only thing I considered a problem was the length of the counselling - though I understand there's a limited number of appointments someone can have.