Counselling services
Our counsellors and other wellness practitioners can help you with your mental health and wellbeing.
The Student Counselling team provides short-term counselling support for any issues that are affecting your studies. We can help you with life challenges, relationships, family issues, sexuality, depression, anxiety, stress, and addiction.
We encourage you to seek help as early as possible if you’re struggling with your mental health—don’t think of counselling as a last resort.
What we offer
One-on-one counselling
Two or three counselling sessions are often enough to help you manage things better, and to get your life and studies back on track. The counsellor will clarify why you are here, assist you to resolve any immediate issues, and work with you to develop a plan.
One-off academic support
If you need brief counselling support to discuss an extension, late withdrawal, academic progress difficulties (particularly at exam time), you may be able to see a counsellor the same day. The availability of same-day appointments depends on demand, which can be high during peak times. Call us early in the morning to increase your chances of getting a same-day appointment.
Group counselling
We run several different group counselling programmes. If you're interested in joining a group, you should discuss the options with your counsellor or health improvement practitioner.
Wellbeing plans
Our health and wellness practitioners can help you create a solution-focused action plan for a wellbeing issue, such as stress, relationships, sleep, routine, life balance, self-esteem, and anxiety. Talk to your doctor or nurse to see if a referral would be appropriate.
Support for students living in University halls
Our accommodation wellbeing advisers are registered health practitioners who have experience in helping students to manage the demands of studying and living away from home.
Gender-affirming healthcare
Our gender-affirming healthcare team includes supportive counsellors who recognise that you are the expert around your own gender identity journey.
ADHD referrals
We can offer an initial assessment if you think you have attention deficit disorder (ADHD). After this assessment, we may be able to refer you to see a psychiatrist for a formal ADHD assessment.
Wellbeing resources
The University provides a range of wellbeing resources for students. These resources cover a range of topics, including managing anxiety when giving presentations in your courses, overcoming procrastination, mindfulness, sleep, managing anxiety, and regulating difficult emotions.
Other counselling providers
There are other counselling providers available who charge no fees or reduced fees, depending on your financial situation.
- Need to talk? (1737—24 hours a day)
- Youthline (0800 787 797)
- Samaritans (0800 726 666—24 hours a day)
- Wesley City Counselling (04 384 7695)
- Alcohol Drug helpline (0800 787 797—24 hours a day)
- Women’s Health Collective (04 384 7709)
- The Salvation Army (0800 53 00 00)
- Clinical Psychology Centre, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington (04 463 6400)
Your privacy
Our counsellors abide by the Mauri Ora privacy and confidentiality agreement. Make sure you read this agreement as it tells you what you need to know about how we record, store, and dispose of your session notes.