Counselling
At Lincoln University we are committed to supporting your wellbeing and academic success. Sometimes you may find yourself needing a bit of extra support. It’s okay to ask for help.
Lincoln University Student Health Centre offers short-term counselling for a range of issues – no problem is too big or too small. Common issues that people seek with support with include relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, difficulty coping, grief & loss, and the impacts of trauma.
We work in an inclusive and collaborative way. Who you are as a person - your values, culture, beliefs, identity and strengths - are central to the counselling work.
We view your mental health in a holistic way, looking at all elements of your health and wellbeing. With your consent, we work alongside other supports and resources on campus or off campus. These may include the Student Health Centre team, LUSA, the LU Gym, Inclusive Education, Learning, Teaching & Library, the Wellbeing Team and the Kaiārāhi Team.
Good to know
- Counselling is confidential. We adhere to the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
- We provide a safe space on campus in Hudson Hall.
- We can help you connect to other supports if needed.
- Appointments run for approximately 50 minutes.
Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm
How to book
To make a counselling appointment, please phone Student Health at 03 325 3835.
Please note: We are not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call Crisis Resolution on 0800 920 092 (24/7). If you are in immediate danger, please call 111.
Counselling FAQs
Counselling is a collaborative process in which to share, uncover resources and wisdom, learn and grow. Counselling takes place in a therapeutic relationship between the person needing support and a trained counsellor who has developed skills and knowledge to do this work.
Counselling can improve many mental health symptoms and impacts of life challenges, trauma, and relationship difficulties. Counselling can also support you with the skills, resources and insight to address some of the issues you might be struggling with.
It's a good idea to get support when what you are experiencing causes distress and interferes with some part of life, particularly when:
- Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day
- The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others
- The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease
- The issue has negatively impacted uni, work, or relationships
- You’ve made changes in your life or developed habits to cope with the issue
- Or simply when you feel it is time to talk to someone about the issue.
There are also other ways of healing and getting your mental health back on track. For more ideas, see All Right? Te Waioratanga and All Right? Ways to Wellbeing.
You’ll be given some information about how long you might be able to access counselling, note taking, limited confidentiality and how we work. You are encouraged to ask questions about any of this.
Sometime in the first session, we will work to establish your goals for counselling. We might ask something like: what are you hoping to get out of our time together?
You might talk a bit about what brought you to counselling. You are in control of how much you choose to share. And you can always let the counsellor know if you don’t want to answer a particular question.
In the first session, we will start to see a way forward for you and the struggles you are experiencing. You might be given information, referrals, resources, ideas or things to try.
Throughout the counselling process, we encourage you to ask questions. Please let us know if something is not working for you or you feel that you are not getting what you need from the process.
Additional services and resources
Crisis Support (24/7)
Crisis Sexual Assault:
- Safe to talk For 24/7 confidential, free sexual harm counselling and support. Ph: 0800 044 334
- Sexual Assault Support Service Canterbury (SASSC)
A local, in person, confidential, free 24/7 support service for victims of sexual assault/rape, and close family members/friends of victims. Ph: 0800 284 82669
- Cambridge Clinic A confidential, free service that provides sexual assault medical and forensic care 24/7. Ph: (03) 366 0067
Mental Health Crisis: CDHB Crisis Resolution 0800 920 092. In an emergency phone Police/Ambulance on 111.
Please visit the Mental Health Foundation for more helplines.
Resources
The Mental Health Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing
The Mental Health Foundation A to Z Mental Health
The Lowdown Youth Mental Health
