Appointments: Counselling is open to enrolled Brookes students - of whatever age, gender, religion and beliefs, nationality, ethnic origin, and sexual orientation.
Some students come once, some for longer. We offer mainly short-term counselling, but if you need something longer, we can help you find a suitable service.
We are open in semester and vacation times. See Opening Hours for detailed information.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for information about what counselling is like, including what happens at your first appointment.
Making an appointment
To book an appointment please complete our Registration Form. This is quick and easy to do, and gives us your contact details and your availability for an appointment. You can complete the Registration Form online, or get one from our reception.
- Complete a Registration Form online here.
- Download a Registration Form in a Word document here.
Save onto your computer. Complete the form and save again. Then email the form to ssrecpt@brookes.ac.uk. - Email for a Registration Form or for further information: ssrecpt@brookes.ac.uk.
- Telephone for a Registration Form or further information: 484650 (external); 4650 (internal).
If you prefer, you can come into reception to ask about an appointment. The Counselling and Advisory Services Reception is on Level 1, Helena Kennedy Student Centre, Headington Hill site. Paper copies of the Registration Form are available. Please tell us if you require help in completing the form.
There is a space on the Registration Form to tell us if you need special arrangements, such as particular access needs, an interpreter because of hearing impairment, or if you prefer a male counsellor.
Reminders about your first appointment
If you give us a mobile number on your Registration Form, you will be sent a text message from the reception telephone number (01865 484650) to remind you about your first appointment. Please reply to the text message to confirm that you will be attending, or to cancel the appointment if you are unable to attend.
About reception
We have two receptionists, Anne Grisbrooke and Anne Janes. Reception is open at the following times:
- Monday – Thursday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Friday 9.00 am – 4.30 pm
Outside office hours, you can leave a message on the answering machine.
The Counselling Service is open during vacations, subject to staff availability.
How quickly can I be seen?
We try to see you as soon as possible. Often this will only be a few days, but at busy times you may have to wait a few weeks. As the semester progresses, we tend to get busier.
It you need to speak to someone urgently please tell the receptionist.
If you cannot get to your appointment it is very important to let us know as soon as you can, so that we can offer the time to another student.
Changing and cancelling appointments
Please attend your appointments whenever possible. This will help your counselling to be effective.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please telephone or email to let us know so that we can offer the appointment to someone on the waiting list. We would be happy to arrange a new appointment for you.
Appointments at Swindon College
A local counselling service is available to students based at the Swindon Campus. Telephone 01793 815279 for an appointment.
What if I need to speak to someone and the Counselling Service is closed?
- The Samaritans operate a 24-hour telephone listening service on (01865) 722122.
You can also contact them by email: jo@samaritans.org.
If you have questions about emailing the Samaritans, including how to email anonymously, see their email information page. - If you need help urgently in an emergency, it may be best to contact your doctor
