Counselling sessions are available via video call, telephone or in person.
Please note that we will do what we can to accommodate your preference to be seen in person, but are not able to guarantee in person appointments will be available for all requests.
We are also able to offer In-building video call sessions where we provide a confidential room within the Staff Counselling Centre, this enables you to have your counselling in our building in a safe and private space even if your counsellor is working remotely or unable to offer in person appointments.
How do I apply?
If you decide you would like to speak to a counsellor you can apply by completing the online Pre-counselling form
NB: You will need your Raven password to use this facility.
If you prefer, you can download the form and complete it
Pre-counselling form [Word] [PDF]
The Staff Counselling Centre is available free of charge to all staff who hold a University contract of employment: academic, academic-related, assistant, research and technical. We regret that temporary workers on assignment through the Temporary Employment Service and staff from Cambridge University Press and Assessment are not eligible to use this service
College staff who are employed by the Colleges but are not University employees may use the Staff Counselling Centre but need to first obtain a referral from their HR advisor, as counselling is provided under a different arrangement from University Staff. Please see For College Staff page
What happens next?
Firstly you will receive confirmation that your application has been received. You will then be invited in for an Initial Consultation.
The Initial Consultation will usually be 45 minutes. It will be an opportunity for us together to establish the best way forward for you, and whether counselling might be helpful. If so, you will then go on the waiting list for weekly counselling sessions. This will not necessarily be with the same counsellor you see for the Initial Consultation.
Waiting Times
We do our best to see you as quickly as possible. The service experiences high levels of demand and waiting times are approximate.
Initial Consultations: We aim for this to take place within two weeks of your application
Weekly Appointments: We aim to offer weekly sessions within 6 weeks of your Initial Consultation
Please be as flexible as possible regarding your availability, as this will make your wait as short as possible.
Missed appointments
We understand that there are times when you may be unable to attend your appointments for a variety of reasons. Please do let us know as far ahead as possible when you know that you can’t make an appointment. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, or you do not attend, you will forfeit a session.
