Counselling
There are two counsellors at Havering College, one on each campus. We are here to support any student or member of staff experiencing personal difficulties.
We are professionally qualified and experienced and work to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework for Good Practice (copies available on request) This safeguards the confidentiality of the counselling service and ensures the highest professional standards are maintained.
What is Counselling:
Counselling entails you coming to one, or a number of sessions with a counsellor during which time you can talk about anything at all that may be troubling you. Sessions are usually once a week and last for fifty minutes. We’ll do our best to find a time for you that won’t interfere with your timetable or other commitments.
Your counsellor will listen carefully and try to help you to make sense of your particular situation. Many people find it easier to speak freely to somebody outside their usual support network of family and friends because counsellors are able to be objective as well as supportive of you. We won’t make judgements, give advice or tell you what to do. Issues we frequently work with include:
• Difficulties in coping with college work
• Relationship problems
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety about sexual relationships/sexual orientation
• Depression, thoughts of self-harm/suicide
• Family problems
• A sense of isolation/not 'fitting in'
• Bereavement
• Panic attacks
• Sexual/physical/emotional abuse
• Worries about alcohol/drug abuse
Confidentiality:
We won’t give any information about you or anything you’ve talked about to anyone else, unless you ask us to. Confidentiality would only be broken in extreme circumstances where you or another person may be in danger. In this rare circumstance, the counsellor would try to talk to you before making any disclosure.
Making an Appointment:
Counsellors are located on each campus as follows:
Enrica Balestra
Quarles, Room QS216
Ext. 4043
Email: EBalestra@havering-college.ac.uk
Kay Coussens
Ardleigh Green, Room A111
Ext. 2035
Email: kcoussens@havering-college.ac.uk
Appointments may be made by phoning the college number: 01708 455011, followed by the counsellor's extension number. If we are not here, we will return your call as soon as we can.
At Ardleigh Green, appointments can also be made at Student Services Reception.
Counsellors are available to students from either campus. If you prefer you can see a counsellor away from your own site.
Waiting times for appointments vary but we will see you as soon as possible, usually within two weeks.
