The student counselling service at Massey University is available to all students. Distance students can contact any campus clinic to book a session with a counsellor. This is a confidential and professional service that is free for all students.
Talking to a counsellor is an opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings in a safe place. The counsellor will listen without criticism and keep what you say confidential.
Counselling offers more than talking to a friend. You may need a friendly ear or a different perspective on a problem (be it a relationship or a situation). The counsellor can help you explore new ways of dealing with life’s challenges. Your counsellor will discuss what they think is best for you.
In a counselling session, the time is all yours to talk about what is important to you. A session may last up to an hour. You may only need one session or several regular sessions. Sometimes the time between sessions is longer too. You can negotiate the frequency and timing with the counsellor. They’ll know what is best for your situation. You can stop counselling at any time, for any reason.
Making your first appointment
Before we can book your first appointment, you need to complete an assessment form. The assessment is confidential and gives the counsellor a better understanding of how they can help you.
Assessment forms are available from campus clinics and online. When you submit your online form, a counsellor will review it, and you’ll receive an appointment within three business days.
- Online assessment form – Auckland students
- Online assessment form – Manawatū students
- Online assessment form – Wellington students
What to do in an emergency
If you need to see someone in an emergency, please let the clinic receptionist know immediately. An emergency would include:
- feeling you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else
- feeling too overwhelmed to function as you would normally.
Alternatively, you can contact the crisis helpline for your area:
- Auckland: 0800 800 717
- Manawatū: 0800 653 357
- Wellington: 0800 745 477
Counselling services available to students
Our teams provide a professional, independent and confidential counselling service. Services available to students include:
- Individual counselling
Help for matters such as relationships, self-esteem, grief, anger management, sexuality and abuse. - Group counselling
- Short-term individual counselling
- Workshops on a range of different topics
- Consultations and advocacy for students
- Information and pamphlets on a range of issues
- Assessments for aegrotats or impaired performance applications
- Debriefing to individuals and groups involved in traumatic incidents (such as accidents)
- Document Only Sessions
We offer thirty minute consultations with a counsellor for specific needs such as obtaining information, dealing with a specific query, asking for help to complete a form (such as a fee appeal or Impaired Performance) or to access the library of self-help books and CDs. Please bring the appropriate forms and supporting documents to the session if appropriate.
PIKI
Piki is an online service to help overcome adversity and strengthen your wellbeing. Piki offers free access to:
- Easy and personalised access to therapy at a convenient place and time
- An emotional wellness app that helps you access support and track your progress
- Links to 24/7 support through phone and web services
- Peer support groups
Piki is available to young adults living in the Greater Wellington Region, between 18 and 25 years of age.
How to get the most out of counselling
Counselling is unique to the individual, as is the issue being discussed. It is impossible to predict the outcome, but most people find counselling beneficial. The following points can help you get the most out of your counselling sessions:
- For many people counselling can be an unfamiliar or risky step to take. You can talk to your counsellor about any concerns you have at any point in the process.
- After each session continue to think about what you discussed with the counsellor. This will help with your decision making process and trying new coping strategies.
- The relationship between you and the counsellor is important. If you feel the relationship is preventing you from speaking freely, let us know. We will support you to change counsellors.
Sometimes our beliefs or expectations cause us to delay seeking help until the matter becomes serious. No issue is too big or small. Many people tell us they wish they’d come to counselling sooner as they would have avoided a lot of distress.