Considering Counselling?

About Us

Student Counselling & Development offers free and confidential one-to-one counselling to UCC students. We also run workshops for UCC students and staff. Our counselling team are professional psychologists and psychotherapists qualified to a minimum Master’s level and accredited with IACP/PSI. Many of our team have specialist expertise in particular issues. We also provide some placements for newly qualified psychotherapists or those in their final year of training.

Is Counselling For You?

It’s ok not to be sure about this and we understand that it might be daunting to make contact with a counselling service. That is why we do our best to make the process as easy as possible. If you think you might benefit from talking confidentially to someone, we would encourage you to contact us. We will set up an initial appointment during which you can explore how counselling may be helpful for you or explore what other relevant supports might be available. Counselling can help you get a new perspective on an issue you feel stuck with, help you cope with an unexpected crisis and help you to develop healthy strategies to manage ongoing difficulties. Some common issues that students seek our support with are: academic or general stress, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-esteem, family and relationship difficulties, transition to college, bereavement, eating difficulties, presentation anxiety, sexual trauma, gender identity, coming out, alcohol/drug misuse etc.

How Do I Make An Appointment?

Just get in touch with your student number, availability over the next three weeks and a mobile number or email address and we will set up a session for you. Our sessions run Mon-Fri from 8.30am to 5pm. You can contact us Here 

We also offer one same-day brief appointment slot at 3pm daily. This session can only be booked by phoning us at 021 4903565 on the morning of the appointment and is offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Our phone-line is open from 9.30am. If a further appointment is required you will need to go on the waiting list.

What Happens Next?

Once we have your availability we set up an initial session. During this session, you can discuss your needs in confidence with one of our counsellors and decide with them whether further sessions would be helpful.

What If I Need To Cancel Or Reschedule My Appointment?

Please contact us giving at least 24 hours’ notice so we have time to give the cancelled slot to another student. It is important to know that if you miss or cancel two sessions, further appointments may be limited or delayed. This is so that we can offer the limited resource of counselling sessions as soon as possible to everyone who contacts us .

Where Do I Go For My Appointment?

We have two locations on campus:

1. Ardpatrick on College Road (the same building as Student Health - map Here).
2. Áras na Mac Léinn (the main student centre) on the top floor.

We’ll let you know the location of your appointment via text or email.

Is Counselling Confidential?

Yes. Whatever you discuss with your counsellor will remain confidential. There are three exceptions to this:

1. If there is a serious concern that there may be an imminent threat to the safety or life of you or others.
2. In the context of serious criminal behaviour and disclosures required by legal process.
3. In the context of child protection issues.

Your counsellor can discuss any concerns you may have about confidentiality at the start of your initial appointment.

While I Am Waiting For My Counselling Appointment?

We appreciate that once you have made the decision to seek support that it can be difficult to wait. We want you to know that we try to minimise waiting times as much as possible but waiting times can vary at different times of the year. While you are waiting for your counselling appointment, please be aware of the following:  

• If you consider yourself to be at risk of self-harm contact your GP, SouthDoc or nearest Accident and Emergency Unit.
• Student Counselling & Development can be contacted: 9.30 am-1.00 pm (except between 10.30am and 11.00am) and 2.15 pm-4.15 pm. 
• Student Health can be contacted: 9.30am-12.15pm and 2.30-4.15pm.
• Check out online supports Here 

Other Support Services Within UCC:

• uLink Peer Support: Student to student support by trained peer supporters. Contact 021 420 5188 pass@ucc.ie or www.ucc.ie/en/pass. 
• Niteline: A listening service for students provided by students. This service is available Monday – Thursday 9pm-1am. Freephone 1800 32 32 42. 
• Your Course Coordinator: If you are experiencing difficulty with your academic work, please approach either your course coordinator or another staff mentor/lecturer. They will advise and support you. 
• Student Health: 021 490 2311 | http://www.ucc.ie/en/studenthealth/
• Disability Support Service: 021 490 2985 | www.ucc.ie/en/dss
• Students’ Union: 021 490 3218 | www.collegeroad.ie | facebook | twitter

Supports Outside UCC: 

• SouthDoc: 1850 335 999 
• Samaritans: (24 hour freephone) 116 123
• Pieta House (24 hour Freephone) 1800 247 247