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Counselling facts

CQUniversity has a team of Counsellors from a Behavioural Science background, either Social Work or Psychology.  Counselling can assist you to achieve success with your study, to prepare for a career, to enhance personal growth or sometimes just to help you get by a particularly tough patch!  To help you understand more about counselling we have prepared some frequently asked questions:

What counselling services are available?

Personal and Academic Counselling are provided as either face-to-face, by telephone or by email to all domestic students (flex or internal modes) as well as international students studying on a Domestic Campus.  Professional Counsellors are employed on each of the five Domestic Campuses of Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Noosa. Students studying at Emerald or by Flexible delivery should contact Rockhampton for phone or email contact. Office hours can vary on each campus location, so please refer to the Contact Us page.

What if my position is urgent?

Make sure you inform reception if your situation is urgent, Priority appointments are set aside for this situation.

However if the office is closed:

  • Ambulance, Fire and Police: 000
  • Lifeline: 131 114
  • Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978
  • Suicide Crisis Line: 1300 651 251
  • Rockhampton Hospital: 0749 206 211
  • Mackay Hospital: 0749 686 000
  • Gladstone Hospital: 0749 763 200
  • Bundaberg Hospital: 0741502760
  • SANE Mental illness Helpline    Mon to Fri. FREECALL: 1800 187 263
  • Alcohol and Drug Information Service: FREECALL 1800 177 833
  • Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 or visit Victoria website, Queensland website, NSW website
  • Queensland Community Organisations: http://www.qld.gov.au/qcoor/

 
How do I get help for financial problems?

Financial Information is available for Australian and International students on the link Financial Assistance Options.

How do I make an appointment?

An appointment can be made in person by simply contacting the reception / counselling staff on the Central Queensland Campuses. The receptionist will take your details and provide you with the first available appointment.  Phone contact can be made on 13 27 86 and submit the Help Me eForm.

In the case of telephone counselling a counsellor will contact you on your preferred number- this way you will not have to pay for the call.

What usually happens in a counselling session?

Counselling sessions may last  30 minutes or longer depending on the situation you wish to discuss. During the counselling session you have the opportunity to describe what is concerning you and what you have already tried to do to help.

The counsellor may make a number of suggestions that you may like to consider and do before the next session. If extra contacts are required you will be scheduled an appointment for future sessions usually from 4 to 6 sessions.

Is counseling only for the mentally ill?

Mental illness has many different aspects. For example Anxiety and Depression are mental illnesses that are quite common in the student population. Often these illnesses are stress-related and are of a short duration. The sooner such a person accesses help the sooner they are likely to recover.

However, most students who attend counselling seek help to be better stress managers, better problem solvers and better organised in their busy lives. Stressful experiences can arise from a variety of stressors like study, personal, family and relationships issues. In short, people who seek counselling can present for any reason that is creating a negative impact on their study life.

Will the counsellor help me decide whether to leave/stay at uni?

CQUniversity values the enrolment of each student. As our logo states we wish to assist you to Be what you want to Be.  With that aim in mind the counsellor will help you to decide what option is the best for you. Then the counsellor will help you to evaluate the consequences of that decision and whether the timing is right for you to take that action.

If you want to explore changes to your study program you will want to discuss with your counsellor whether  to drop a course, to change programs, to defer for a certain period or to leave study.  Your counsellor will also refer you to your faculty and other areas of the University where you can get further advice and/or assist you to negotiate your option if this is necessary.

How do I know my information will be kept confidential?

All counselling records are kept in a secure electronic system or in secure filing cabinets. None of your information will be disclosed to a third party without your expressed permission (in writing). This rule applies to such people as a lecturer, doctor, family or friends. In fact, under our rules of confidentiality, we are not even entitled to divulge your name to another without your permission.

 Unless you wish to tell other people that you are receiving counselling there is no need for anyone else but yourself to know.

Will this counselling go on my student record?

Records of the Student Support Centre - whether for personal and  careers counselling or equity - are kept completely separate from all other university records and cannot be accessed by other areas of the university.  A concerned lecturer/ friend etc may refer you for counselling but the only information we will provide is whether or not you accepted the referral.

What if I don't want to continue counselling?

If you have made an appointment, either by phone, reception or with your counsellor, and then are unable to keep that appointment please phone and let us know. At the first appointment your counsellor will probably work out with you to attend a number of sessions (usually 4 to 6). However, you are able to withdraw from that agreement at any time, for any reason. Sometimes it takes just one session for your old coping ability to return! We only ask that you phone reception and cancel the next appointment as we can offer that time to another person on our waiting list.