Counselling Service
Why does Leeds College of Music provide a Counselling Service?
Whilst you’re studying at Leeds College of Music you may find yourself experiencing some, or all of the pressures of student life – including academic achievement, lack of money, homesickness, coping with the pressure of studying with a learning difficulty or disability, combining work and study or making new friends. Studying music at a specialist college can also bring its own stresses – anxieties about performance, injury and competitive feelings. These pressures, or coping with a crisis such as the break up of a relationship, bereavement or pregnancy can sometimes develop into a major preoccupation, affecting your sense of well being.
Seeking the help of a counsellor gives you the opportunity to talk over your concerns in complete privacy and in confidence. In recognition of these pressures, and that mental well being is one of the most important factors enabling you to fulfil your potential, the college has a well-established, free counselling service available to all its students.
Counselling gives you time and space to reflect on whatever is concerning you, together with someone who is there to support you but presents a more objective view than a friend or relative. A Counsellor will not tell you what to do, but will listen carefully, perhaps asking questions you haven’t considered or suggesting a different perspective on a problem. In so doing they can help you to develop an increased awareness of yourself and your possibilities.
Students can talk to the Counsellors about a wide range of problems, including relationships, fear of failure, eating problems, anxiety, self-harm, depression and alcohol or drug use.
The two Counsellors at Leeds College of Music, Gill Barlow and Joanna Best, are trained and experienced in supporting students who are distressed and helping them to get the most from their time at the College. We are happy to have a brief chat with you first, either in person or over the phone, if you are not sure whether counselling is for you.
Confidentiality
All counselling is provided in the strictest confidence. Nothing you say to a Counsellor will be passed on without your permission. If you wanted the Counsellor to contact your tutor you would have to give her written permission to do so.
The only exception to this rule would be if the Counsellor had very good grounds for believing a student could seriously harm themselves or others. In all circumstances every effort would be made to discuss the concern with the student first.
Opening Times
The Counselling Service is open all year round, but with a reduced service during College vacations.
Contacting the Counsellors
Occasionally it is possible to talk to a Counsellor straight away but at busy times you will need to make an appointment.
There are several ways of getting in touch:
- By calling in to Room 401
- Tel: 0113 222 3410
-
Email: counselling@lcm.ac.uk
- By leaving a note in the Counselling Service post box outside Room 401
Appointments are often available on the same day or within a few days. If it is a busy time of year and you can’t find a suitable time, let us know and we will do our best to see you as soon as possible. Each appointment usually lasts for 50 minutes.
The Counselling Service is situated in Room 401 on the fourth floor of the main building and is fully accessible for wheel chair users. There is a small, semi private waiting area which can be used before and or after an appointment.