Attending university is a big step. It can take time to settle into your new life and it’s normal to experience a wide range of conflicting emotions – from excitement to fear. 

Here at the Counselling & Wellbeing Service, our qualified counsellors/psychotherapy practitioners are here to support you. At a time of significant change, doing even the simplest of tasks or making what used to feel like straightforward decisions can suddenly feel overwhelming. Whether you are just embarking on your university journey or you are further along with your studies, we can help work through whatever is troubling you. 

Common concerns include: 

  • Being away from home and family and friends.  
  • Living independently – taking care of yourself, managing daily tasks, being responsible for your own finances, shopping, washing and cooking.  
  • Adjusting to living in a new place, meeting new people and trying to make friends  
  • Attending lectures and staying on top of the demands of academic life. 
  • University life not turning out as you’d hoped or expected. 
  • An unexpected event like the break-up of a relationship or problems at home throwing you off track, affecting your ability to concentrate on your studies. 

Our counselling/psychotherapy sessions offer a safe, confidential space to explore what is happening in your life. You will be respected and you will not judged. Your counsellor/psychotherapy practitioner will listen to you, help you gain greater clarity about your problems, and help you work out how to move forward. 

Who are we? 

Counselling staff are experienced in supporting students with a wide range of issues including anxiety, academic stress, low mood and depression, relationship difficulties, and bereavement.  We offer a range of counselling approaches, including Person-Centred Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.  

The work undertaken by the Counselling team is based on a time-sensitive brief counselling model (i.e. we will not keep you in counselling for longer than you need), which is particularly suitable for students.  You will be signposted to self-help resources and referred to further specialist services should you need them.  

Our Wellbeing Advisors provide workshops on a range of issues relevant to students and act as a point of reference within the University for those who have concerns about the wellbeing of students. 

Our colleagues in Aston's Mental Health & Welfare service coordinate additional support for students with longer-term mental health conditions and assist with crisis situations if needed, during working hours. 

Where are we based? 

The Counselling & Wellbeing team is based in the James Watt Building (B2) within Aston Student Village.

The Mental Health & Welfare team is based in Aston University's Student Solution Centre in the Main Building.

Contact us

While students should Register with Support Services in the first instance, you can also contact us via the below methods.

Phone

0121 204 5100

Email

studentwelfare@aston.ac.uk

Distance learners and students on placement

We want all students enrolled at Aston University to be able to benefit from the Counselling & Wellbeing Service. If you are residing in the UK but are away from the University, we can provide counselling services remotely. Instead of meeting with a counsellor/psychotherapy practitioner face-to-face, you would have regular online correspondence with them.

The Aston University Counselling & Wellbeing service cannot serve students living outside of the UK, but we offer external support via the Global Student Assistance Programme (SAP).
 

 

In an emergency

The Counselling & Wellbeing service is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you are at immediate risk of serious harm or are with someone who you feel is, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.  

If you are on campus, please call Aston Campus Safety on 0121 359 2922 (external extension 2222).   

The closest NHS Walk-In Centre is Halcyon Medical, Unit 8, 24 Martineau Place, Birmingham B2 4 UH, and is open: 

  • 8am–6:30pm, Monday to Friday 
  • 10am–2pm, Saturday 
  • 11am–2pm, Sunday 

The closest Accident and Emergency Centre to campus is Birmingham City Hospital, Dudley Road, B18 7QH. 

Our Mental Health & Welfare service may be able to help you during office hours (Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm).

Either register with one of our Support Services, drop-in to the Student Solutions Centre in the Main Building, or call 0121 204 5100 (5100 from an internal phone).