Our Therapeutic Service offers up to six one-to-one counselling sessions in a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly with a qualified counsellor.

What to expect from counselling

Counselling is your space to explore whatever’s on your mind. Whether that’s relationships, life events, emotions, or difficult situations. Your counsellor will listen without judgment, helping you better understand yourself and your life experiences. They will support you to develop empathy, self-compassion and a deeper awareness of self. Some of you may work with our trusted partner Off the Record (Bath) who have a dedicated counselling team to work with our students.

During your first session, your counsellor will introduce a 'counselling agreement' to help clarify what to expect and how to make the most of your sessions.

What’s the difference between counselling and mental health & wellbeing support

Both services support your mental health but in different ways:

• Counselling is reflective, offering a safe space to explore emotions, understand experiences, and work through difficulties with a qualified counsellor.
  
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Support is practical, and solution focused. It helps you build coping skills, create a personalised support plan, and manage academic or social challenges.

The services work closely together and if needed, you can be referred between them to ensure you receive the most appropriate support.

Inclusivity

All our counsellors are committed to practising in ways that are inclusive and accessible to students from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, beliefs, abilities, sexualities and gender identities.

How to access therapeutic service

We know that taking the first step and asking for help can be difficult, so we have made it easy to contact us.

You can drop in to speak with a Student Support Advisor at the 4 West Roper Centre (open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm) or complete our online form. We’ll help you find the support that best fits your needs, whether that’s Counselling support or another approach.

Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm:

• In-person (on campus or at the Virgil Building)
• Online via Teams

We continue to offer support during vacation periods too.

At certain times of the year, there may be a waiting-list for appointments, but we’ll offer you a slot as soon as one becomes available. In the meantime, you’re always welcome to visit the Roper Centre for same-day support if you need it.

Attending your sessions

If you’ve chosen to seek support, we ask you to commit to attending your sessions and if possible, give yourself a little time afterward to reflect.

We’ll do our best to offer appointments that suit your schedule. If regular sessions feel too much right now, you can still speak to a Student Support Advisor at the 4 West Roper Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, or by email at studentsupportadvisors@bath.ac.uk.

Cancelling appointments

If you need to cancel, please give us at least 48 hours’ notice. Missed appointments with less notice will count toward your six allocated sessions (exceptions are made for illness).

If you miss or cancel more than two appointments, we’ll need to close your case but you’re always welcome to self-refer again when you’re ready.

Confidentiality and safety

We’re committed to offering professional, confidential support, and will only share relevant information if we need to do so to keep you or others safe. For more information regarding how Student Support deals with your confidential information you can read the Student Support and Safeguarding Confidentiality Policy.

We also take seriously our duty of care for you. If at any time there are serious concerns for your wellbeing or safety, there are robust safeguarding measures to support you and keep you safe.

Need help now?

24/7 support

If you are struggling and need advice, support, or just somebody to talk to, professional help is also available 24/7 from our free, confidential support line Be Well- Talk Now. Students can contact a trained adviser by phone from anywhere in the world.

From within the UK you can call: 0800 028 3766

From outside the UK you can call: +44 800 085 2570

Emergency support

If you need to talk to somebody urgently about your wellbeing, or that of a friend or other student, call one of the helplines listed in the urgent or emergency wellbeing support guide.

In cases of overdose and serious injury through self-harm, seek immediate medical help by calling 999, even if you or the person you are with do not/does not feel unwell. The effects of an overdose can be delayed by hours (even days) and can be fatal.

External support

There are several charities and organisations that can also provide support:

• The Samaritans who can be contacted on 116 123
  
• SHOUT offer a 24/7 text-based volunteer crisis support line - text 85258
  
• Papyrus Hopeline UK is a volunteer crisis line to support young people at risk of suicide, or who are concerned about someone else’s wellbeing