The University of Sheffield
Human Resources

Making An Appointment

If you would like to speak to a qualified counsellor, please contact HelpU our Employee Assistance Service, provided by AXA. The contact telephone number is 0800 068 6729. This is a free, confidential service which is available 24 hours, 7 days per week. They will discuss with you the best way to support your current needs.

If you require any further details about this service see the HelpU web pages.

For all other enquiries you can email the Staff Counsellor on e.r.johnson@sheffield.ac.uk. Please note that the staff counsellor works on a Tuesday only and therefore your email will only be accessed on this day.

What should I expect from the first session?

The first appointment provides you with an opportunity to talk and think about your situation with a counsellor who will:

The counsellor won't give you advice or tell you what to do.

At the end of the first session, you and your counsellor will decide what course of action might be most helpful for you.

How long will counselling last?

This is a very individual consideration. Your first session with your counsellor will involve an assessment about whether counselling is right for you at this time in your life. If so agreement will be reached on the issues you would like to work on.

Is the service confidential?

All the counsellors are professionally trained and work within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

BACP Ethical Framework

Does the service keep records?

We maintain records in order to provide a professional, effective and safe service. Our record keeping practices conform with the Data Protection Act 1988 and the University Policy on Data Protection.

Do I have access to my records?

Under the Data Protection Act 1988, you have certain rights to access records held about you. If you wish to see your counselling records your counsellor will be able to give you information about the University Policy on access to records.

Where can I find Staff Counselling?

Staff Counselling is located in on Floor 6 of the Arts Tower.

I need some help now!

Staff Counselling is unable to provide an emergency service and does not offer on-call or acute psychiatric treatment. If you, or the person you are concerned about, need to see or talk to someone immediately, contact the following as appropriate: