Profile: University Counselling Service

62 members of staff consulted the Service last year. Most people (80%) refer themselves. Last year a total of 478 people were seen in the course of 1527 sessions. The Service is located at 1 Cross Row. across from the main library. There are two full-time counsellors, Nick Halpin and Catherine McPhail (pictured in right of window). The office is open most of the year, weekdays 0900-1230, 1330-1700. Gill Reid (pictured in left of window) looks after the secretarial and reception work. To make an appointment call in, or ring Gill on 4164. A counsellor can be seen briefly without an appointment weekdays at 1200 and at 1600. It may be possible to arrange evening appointments. If access to 1 Cross Row is a problem - eg wheelchair users - alternative arrangements can easily be made. Staff and students at Ninewells Hospital can be seen on Thursday mornings in The Tayside Centre for General Practice. Telephone: Nick Halpin Ext. 4163, Catherine McPhail Ext. 4837. Email: N.R.Halpin@Dundee.ac.uk; C.H.McPhail@Dundee.ac.uk; G.C.Reid@Dundee.ac.uk Web Site: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/counselling/ The Service produces a wide range of leaflets that are available free in the libraries, in the Counselling Service and on our Web Site. Featuring the Counselling Service 20 questions Is the Service for staff as well as students? Yes. We are a service for the whole University. Last year 62 members of staff, from all areas of the University, used the Service. Does it have to be a work-related problem? No. Most people want to explore personal issues, though these can often have major repercussions on their work. What do most people want to talk about? About themselves, their relationships and their work. Feelings of being overstressed, anxious or depressed are common. Can I bring any problem to you? Yes, and no! We are here to help you explore any issue that is causing concern or worry. But we're not a general welfare service and we're not here to fix things or hand out advice. Are people anxious about coming to see you? Yes, many are, with all kinds of fears about what it'll be like. But everyone gets a warm welcome, soon settles down and most are surprised at how quickly the hour passes. Why is everyone complaining of stress? Because stress is contagious and accumulative. As the workload increases, we lose the healthy balance of being able to switch off in the evenings and at weekends and of losing ourselves in other activities. Like Steve Redgrave we can end up permanently tired, but without the gold medals to urge us on! What is so special about counselling? How often do you get 60 minutes of uninterrupted attention from someone whose whole training has been devoted to the exploration and resolution of personal issues? It's rare even with a good friend. And if a friend should be there to listen to you, often the loyalties of friendship intrude and create their own difficulties. How often do people see you? 70% of those who seek counselling come for only one or two sessions, and to judge by a recent evaluation of the Service, that's probably sufficient for them. A smaller number wish to explore deeper issues over a longer period and we do our best to accommodate these needs. How can you tell that you might benefit from counselling? A surprising number prefer to live with toothache rather than visit the dentist. An equally large number prefer to live with the effects of stress or the emotional heartache of bereavement and loss without seeking the help that is more and more commonly available, and of course in the University, it's free! For example, if on reaching the bottom of a page, we can't remember the content, we know our concentration is failing and a break is required. By the same token, if we spend long periods at work unable to concentrate because of anxiety or worry, that's maybe an appropriate cue to consult someone, be it a colleague, a friend or a counsellor. Isnt counselling part of the dependency culture? No. Counselling is about exploring our feelings and learning to accept their reality. Acceptance can often bring peace of mind, opening up new choices and leading to a greater sense of independence. Are counsellors not just well-meaning do-gooders? By tradition counselling has been a voluntary activity and in the distant past counsellors often received little if any training. The current state of affairs is very different, be it in The Samaritans, bereavement counselling (Cruse), couple counselling or University Counselling. Most counsellors now go through a training programme, although there is wide variation in the duration and intensity of counselling training courses.

What kind of training did you have?
Both of us are trained to postgraduate diploma level. Although our training was different, we have both spent long hours learning to be good listeners. Our training had a strong theoretical content as well as a great deal of carefully supervised casework.

Why does counselling get such a mixed press?
Counselling deals with very personal matters where confidentiality is of prime importance. It's understandable that people should be concerned that this confidentiality might be mishandled or the vulnerability of the client be abused. The answer, heavily endorsed by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, lies in careful training, regular supervision, and adherence to a rigorous code of ethics.

What about confidentiality?
The service is confidential with very few exceptions. Nothing that is discussed with a counsellor will be disclosed to anyone outside the Service, except with the express wish and permission of the person concerned. Our code of practice on confidentiality explains this in more detail (copies on request or on our web site). We do discuss our work with our supervisors, but again confidentiality is strictly observed.

How effective is counselling?
Often a person in counselling will say, "you're the only person I've told". As counsellors we provide a safe and totally confidential space in which people can explore areas of their lives that are often shrouded in profound secrecy. In a recent evaluation of the service, 75% of our respondents were "extremely" or "well satisfied".

Where does counselling fit in with the other support services?
We are part of a network of services for staff and students (The Counselling Service, Student Advisory Service, The Chaplaincy Centre, The University Health Service, The Careers Service etc). We liaise regularly with all these services, but maintain our independence and separateness.

Why are most counsellors women?
Because men have yet to find out what they are missing!

Is personal counselling all you offer staff?
No. We are available for consultancy, should you wish to discuss general issues, or you are concerned about a colleague or a student. Please call us if you want to know more.

How do you compare to counselling services in other universities?
Favourably. Only about 50% of universities offer a free service to staff. Some have been established recently and are in earlier stages of development (we've been on the go since 1977).

Don't you feel self-conscious standing on your head?
Sometimes I do, but - like going for counselling - it's basically a healthy option that gives you a different and valuable perspective on life!

Nick Halpin

Next Page
Return to December/January 2000/1 Contact