Counselling offers a safe place to explore aspects of your life and the ways you interact in the world. It may support you to make changes in your life. We will listen, reflect back, and provide a framework in which you can achieve what you need for yourself. Counselling is a different process for each person. We don't know what the outcome will be, but most peoples experience of counselling is a positive one. It is better to come to counselling when problems first arise rather than waiting until situations have worsened and you are struggling to cope.

Why see a counsellor?

Talking to a friend can be helpful but talking with a professionally trained counsellor can help you resolve more difficult situations or problems. Our counsellors' expertise and neutrality enables you to get insight, understanding and an overview of what is happening in your life that you often don't get in your day-to-day contact with friends.

You can come when you are feeling miserable - we don't need to be protected from the depth of your feeling. Or you can come when you are feeling happy - it may be a good opportunity to identify the ingredients that contribute to your sense of well-being, to develop further self knowledge or to enhance your personal growth. Here are just some of the things students at Vic come to see us about:

• I'm feeling really stressed out

• I don't seem to know what I want

• I get depressed a lot

• I feel suicidal

• I'm thinking of quitting uni

• There are problems in my family

• I can't seem to get interested in anything

• I'm having trouble with a relationship

• My attitude has been so negative lately

• I'm just not happy

• I've been assaulted recently/in the past

• I'm having trouble concentrating on my studies

• I really get uptight about tests/presentations/maths

• I'm worried about my thoughts

• I'm concerned about my/my friend's eating patterns

• I need to talk about something that has happened to me

• I'm concerned about my drinking/my friend's drinking

How long does it take?

The number of times you come to counselling will depend on what you want to achieve. You may simply want to let off steam, tell someone else how you feel, learn certain skills, check your perceptions, or talk about a dilemma. This may be dealt with in one or a limited number of sessions. Some issues will take longer to explore and work through. If necessary we will refer you to specialist services who can help you deal with more chronic or ongoing issues.

Sometimes people return to counselling at a later date. Many students use counselling for several short periods during their time at university. There are always changes in life, and new challenges to confront, and it is unrealistic to expect you can sort things out once and for all and not experience emotional difficulties again.