Find out about our therapeutic and counselling services.
About our service
We provide students with wellbeing and mental health support so they can focus on their studies.
Our therapists and psychological wellbeing practitioners offer:
- short-term individual therapy and counselling sessions
- group therapy and psycho-educative workshops.
These may be in-person, online or by telephone.
Depending on what is most appropriate for your needs, we will use low- and high-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy.
Operating hours
With the exception of the summer vacation, we are open:
- 9am to 5pm on Mondays and Fridays
- 9am to 9pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Eligibility
Therapy and counselling is free and available to all:
- foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate (taught and research) students registered with the University of Sussex (including those registered through International Study Group, but not through Pearson)
- postgraduate students registered with the Institute of Development Studies.
We do not provide services for Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS). If you are a BSMS student, request therapy from the University of Brighton’s Wellbeing Service.
How to request support
You cannot book our services directly.
Instead, you’ll need to complete a Therapeutic Services form, so our team can assess and refer you for the most appropriate support.
All our psychotherapists, counsellors and practitioners are trained in issues relevant for university students.
If you want to request support from a therapist with a specific identity such as gender, you can tell us at your assessment session. We will also consider any accessibility needs for inclusive facilities.
If you’re not in the UK
You should complete this Therapeutic Services form if you are in another country. We are not allowed to provide counselling outside the UK for legal reasons. However, we can arrange alternative support for you.
Next
You will be assigned a therapist or practitioner who will work with you short-term, for a number of weeks which will be agreed in your initial assessment.
Therapy sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place at the same time and day each week.
Alternatively, if we think you would benefit more from a group or workshop, you will be provided with relevant details and invited to one.
We have a number of groups and workshops throughout the year including for:
- low mood
- anxiety
- self-esteem
- social anxiety
- homesickness
- managing emotions.
Limitations of access
We are unable to see students who:
- we feel have issues that are better managed through another service
- are already having psychotherapy or counselling with the NHS or a private therapist
- are receiving treatment from, or have been referred to, NHS psychiatric or psychological services
- have complex or high-risk mental health conditions for which our services are not appropriate or helpful.
- will not provide details of their doctor/GP or consent to us communicating with them in high-risk situations.
We cannot take on the role of the NHS and, in these situations, we will refer you for more appropriate support.
Waiting times
We aim to give you the best possible support and respond to you as quickly as possible, but remember:
- we aim to see all students within a reasonable time frame, although at peak times waiting periods will be longer and cases will be prioritised in order of urgency
- if you have restricted availability, you may have to wait longer for sessions to start
- if you don’t attend your allocated session, you are creating a delay for someone else
- you need to keep us up-to-date with changes to your circumstances, such as your address, contact details or timetable.
If you want longer-term therapy, we can provide a list of low-cost services in the local area.
Your privacy
You can read the full privacy notice for the Directorate for Student Experience.
Ethics and confidentiality
We are committed to the principles of ethical practice.
University therapists subscribe to the Codes of Ethics and Guidelines of their professional training bodies: BACP, UKCP [PDF 428KB] and BABCP [PDF 105KB].
We will not breach confidentiality unless there is imminent risk to self or others (to protect your vital interests or that of another), including children or adults at risk. We will always try to inform you first before breaching confidentiality, but this may not always be possible.
We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunities and Open Access and have full disabled facilities.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with our service, you can email counsellingreception@sussex.ac.uk or use the University’s complaints procedure.