Staff Counselling Service

How staff can access counselling and support

Staff Counselling Service - applications currently closed - 27th March 2023 update

The Staff Counselling Service is at capacity and we are currently unable to offer appointments or waiting list places to new clients.

We expect this to be a temporary measure, to enable us to support those who have registered so far. Please check back regularly for updates.

In the meantime, we have listed alternative sources of support on this page below.

 

The Staff Counselling Service opened in Michaelmas Term 2022. The service is being run as a pilot for 12 months, in partnership with the Student Counselling team.

As a University staff member, you are welcome to self-refer, if you need support with issues that are affecting you; whether related to work or not. The service is intended to be used as a therapeutic process that is a starting point in issue resolution. It is not designed for long term therapy. Unfortunately, this service is not open to college staff.

What to expect

Individuals can engage in up to six free sessions with a qualified counsellor. In-person and/or online appointments are available Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.  

In-person appointments are hosted in designated spaces within the Occupational Health Service building at 10 Parks Rd Oxford OX1 3PD (entrance in Museum Road).

10 parks road

Contact us

General queries about the service or brief requests for counselling should be directed to the staff counselling mailbox below. Please don't include detailed information about your circumstances in your initial email as you will have an opportunity to provide all relevant details at a later stage.

You will then receive a response with further information.

Email the staff counselling mailbox

Staff counselling guidance and FAQ's

We prefer staff to self-refer for our services, to ensure we receive an accurate account of personal issues. However, third parties such as line managers can suggest a self-referral.

This is entirely dependent on individual circumstances and response to therapeutic intervention. Not all people will need six sessions and duration of input will be an agreement between the individual and their counsellor.

Records will be stored on a specialist digital platform that is designed for University counselling services. The only people who will have access to records will be the professional counselling team and designated business support staff, all of whom are well versed in issues of confidentiality. Information will not be shared without consent apart from in very specific circumstances.

No. This is a strictly confidential service and information will not be shared with your employer.

No. The only time information would be shared would be at the request and with consent of the individual.

The waiting time will be entirely dependent on demand and the requirements of those already engaging with the service.

Continuity is a key factor in the success of counselling intervention. However on occasions, your allocated counsellor may change due to unavoidable circumstances.

Appointment spacing and times will be agreed at your first session.

The following are also sources of support available to you:

Contact us

 staffcounsellingservice@admin.ox.ac.uk