Counselling & Wellbeing

• Counselling provides an opportunity to talk and reflect on whatever is troubling you, in a safe and supportive environment
• Counsellors won't tell you what to do or prescribe medication but will help you find your own solutions, whether that's making effective changes in your life or finding ways to cope
• At BU, we have a team of trained counsellors who can offer up to six regular sessions.

If you need longer-term, specialist support, your Wellbeing Adviser will refer you to the psychological therapies service, run by Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. This includes support for specific anxiety disorders, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 

Our service operates a strict confidentiality policy, and we do not normally tell anybody that you have accessed the service or any details about the nature of the support you are receiving. There are times, however, when we may need to breach this due to legal obligations or if we believe that you or another person is at risk of harm.

You will need to read our Information and Confidentiality Statement (word 36kb) to access our service, which explains our policy in more detail. If you have any initial questions or concerns, visit the AskBU contact us webpage.

We will not share any information about you with your GP or any other health services without consent except in the circumstances described in our confidentiality policy or when expressly requested by yourself. 

If you're not on campus or in Bournemouth, there are still a range of services available to you – over the phone, virtually or face-to-face:

• Contact Counselling & Wellbeing by completing the online enquiry form and choosing 'Counselling and mental health support' from the drop-down options. 

• For 24/7 non-urgent support, call 0800 028 3766 to speak with a trained advisor or counsellor. We work in partnership with Health Assured to offer this round-the-clock student support.

External support services across the South and South West

Improving Access to Psychological Therapy Services (IAPT): 

• Steps2Wellbeing (covers Dorset and Southampton)
• Talking Therapies Hampshire (covers areas of Hampshire, except Southampton and Portsmouth) 
• Talking Therapies Portsmouth
• Talking Therapies Somerset 
• Wiltshire IAPT
• Find NHS talking therapy services in other areas

Mental health support: 

• Dorset NHS Community Front Rooms (virtual and face-to-face support Thursdays - Sundays)
• The Lighthouse Shirley: mental health support in Southampton

Rape crisis support: 

• Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service (PARCS) 
• Somerset & Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS)  
• STARS Dorset - Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service 

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs): 

• The Shores (Dorset) 
• The Treetops Centre (Hampshire and Isle of Wight)  
• The Bridge (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset or Somerset)

No – we don't recommend accessing two mental health services at once. Often when individuals are under another team, they are the more specialist team (e.g. community mental health teams, eating disorder services). We would encourage you to speak with the team you are under for any additional support.

We recommend that you make an appointment with your GP to discuss a referral. 

Visit our Eating disorders webpage for more advice, information, and resources.

Our services are open to students from Bournemouth University.

Students attending the Bournemouth and Poole College (including those on BU programmes) will need to access support services through the college: 

• College students at the Lansdowne should either make an appointment at main reception or call 01202 205255 
• College students at the North Road site should go to The Link, Student Support Centre or call 01202 205205

Please note: Under current funding arrangements, students attending partner colleges (including those on BU programmes) are not eligible to use the service. Arrangements are in place for counselling to be provided by the partner colleges.

• We will always try to find a time that suits you and, with this in mind, we offer some appointments before 9:00am and after 5:00pm
• Some appointments are available outside of term time but these are limited
• Depending on what suits you, we offer appointments face-to-face (at Talbot House on Talbot Campus), over the phone or via video call

 Counselling & Wellbeing specialise in supporting students who are experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood but can also help with:

• Panic
• Homesickness
• Sleeping difficulties
• Eating difficulties
• Relationship and family issues
• Bereavement
• Confidence issues
• Isolation
• Advice if you're concerned about another student.