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The Counselling Service

Aston University Counselling Service is a free, accessible, professional service which supports and fosters the well-being of students and staff, to enable them to achieve their full academic potential. The service actively promotes mental well-being by providing training and consultation, and by raising awareness of mental health issues within the University.

Purpose of the Service:

  • The main purpose of the Service is to provide a professional, confidential Counselling Service to all students and staff of the University.
  • The Service also provides workshops on a range of issues relevant to staff and students, and acts as a point of reference within the University for those who have concerns about the well-being of students and staff.

The type of Counselling offered:

  • The Service is able to offer a range of counselling approaches, including psychodynamic and CBT. The majority of the work undertaken by the counselling staff is time-sensitive, brief counselling, which is particularly suitable for the target group of the Service.

Ethical Framework:

  • The Service adheres to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Limits of Confidentiality:

  • A confidential service is provided, but confidentiality is not considered as an absolute. There are certain circumstances in which the Service has a responsibility to break confidentiality:
    • Where it is believed that a client or third party is in serious danger;
    • Where the University would be liable to civil or criminal court procedures if information was not disclosed.

Wherever possible, the client themselves is encouraged to pass on the information to the relevant agency. If the client is reluctant to do this, the Service may pass on the information directly.

Context of the Work:

  • The University Counselling Service is part of the Diversity & Wellbeing Unit.

  • Appointments can be made:

    • in person at the Hub, on the ground floor of the Main Building.
    • by telephone on 0121 204 4007 ( outside of office hours, messages can be left on voicemail)
    • by email on counselling@aston.ac.uk
  • The Service is provided free of charge.