It is not always about looking for solutions, sometimes just talking issues through can help. But there is a limit to how often you can talk to a friend about the status or non status of your love life / alcohol intake / depression / overdue assignment etc. There comes a point that despite the efforts of those around you, you still feel like things are not changing, negative thoughts abound or you feel out of control of certain aspects of your behaviour.
But I don’t want to see a counsellor!!
If you feel you have come to this point then don’t belittle or deny it. At times like this it is best to speak to someone who has particular skills in listening to problems and helping you identify solutions. Some myths about counselling:
“You have to be in an absolute crisis to see a counsellor”
“Seeing a counsellor is a sign of failure”
“I should wait a bit until I feel better or until I sort out my problem before I go”
“It is not really serious enough, I should be able to sort it out myself”
“My problems are too weird / small / silly / not important - I’d be too embarrassed to talk about them”
‘“If I need to see a counsellor then there must really be something wrong with me” UWA Counselling Service
Counsellors who work at universities are very familiar with all sorts of issues that are likely to affect people who are trying to manage their lives and the demands of university at the same time. They know how universities work and can advise on practical issues as well as helping you to sort out your feelings in a safe place. All UWA counsellors work within strict boundaries of confidentiality. The UWA Counselling Service is free to UWA students. Demand for the Counselling Service is high. Counsellors endeavour to see students as quickly as possible but at certain times of the year, you may experience a delay in getting an appointment. Always advise the Service if you are concerned about your safety (if you feeling suicidal or that you may hurt yourself or somebody else) as they usually have emergency appointments set aside for just these occasions. Depending on your issues, counselling can be very challenging and at times confronting. It is important to understand that the counsellor needs you to give them feedback about the usefulness of your sessions. If you feel they are not helping you, it is important to point this out. The counsellor will then be able to adjust their approach or refer you to another service to help you get a better outcome. If you still feel dissatisfied you can ask the receptionist to book you with a different counsellor for future appointments.
To get the most out of seeing a UWA counsellor it is important that you are clear about how the problem you are experiencing is affecting your study as well as your life. It helps if you have a bit of a think about these issues, before your session. What else would you like to discuss? Remember, counsellors will not be able to help you with issues you don’t tell them about. Other avenues for seeking help
Perhaps you would feel more comfortable visiting a GP. UWA has a medical centre which is staffed by male and female GPs. You can chat to the GP about the value of seeing a Counsellor. Perhaps some other service would be more appropriate like the Disability Office, Student Guild, Equity and Diversity Advisor or Student Faculty Advisor. Doctors who work in the university system understand the pressures of study really well and can connect you to the service that suits your needs. All consultations and referrals are strictly confidential.
If you would prefer to see your family doctor they can also refer you to a counsellor or to any of the UWA services they think may be appropriate. Useful websites:
UWA Medical Centre
UWA Disability Office
UWA Guild Education Officers
Student Faculty Advisors
UWA Counselling Service
Equity and Diversity Office Robin Winkler Clinic | 
