Counselling and Mental Health Service

Our one-to-one counselling programme provides a safe space to talk openly and work through personal challenges. You’ll be offered an appointment at the same time each week, as we believe consistency is key to building trust and making meaningful progress.

You’ll be matched with one of our experienced counsellors, who will work with you throughout your sessions. Our team uses an integrative approach, drawing on a range of methods including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and Person-Centred Practice.

This tailored approach allows us to support your individual needs, helping you explore both current concerns and any past experiences that may be influencing them.

The Counselling and Mental Health Team run workshops and drop-ins to support students with a variety of issues relevant to university life.

These sessions provide practical tools, guidance, and a supportive space to learn strategies that can make everyday challenges easier to manage. They’re also a chance to connect with others, share experiences, and build skills that will benefit you both during your studies and beyond.

By attending, you’re taking a proactive step towards looking after your wellbeing, boosting your resilience, and making the most of your time at university.

We offers single-session counselling to support students with immediate concerns or challenges. This type of counselling is a time-limited, focused session with a qualified counsellor, designed to help you explore your feelings, clarify your thoughts, and identify practical strategies to manage your situation.

Single-session counselling is particularly suited to students who may not wish to commit to ongoing counselling but still want professional guidance and support. During the session, you can discuss personal, academic, or social issues, and the counsellor will work with you to develop coping strategies, problem-solving approaches, and emotional support tailored to your needs. While it is just one session, many students find it helpful in gaining clarity, relief, and confidence in taking next steps.

If you identify with autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental experiences, it can feel valuable to connect with people who understand.

The AuDHD Drop-in is a friendly, welcoming space where you can meet other students with similar experiences, share tips for student life, and enjoy chats or activities at your own pace. Members of the Student Services team are also present if you need advice or have questions.

There's no need to book, come along and say hello. There's no pressure, we're there when you need us.

When: Every Wednesday at 2pm in the Multi-Faith Centre.

For more information, please contact Richard Clarke (University Counsellor) at r.clarke1@derby.ac.uk or the Counselling and Mental Health Team at counsellingandmhservice@derby.ac.uk.

If you have any queries around disability support, please contact the Disability Team.

Do you want to build positive momentum in your life? Find support, reduce isolation and gain a sense of belonging through the power of peer support.

This peer support group offers a safe, supportive space for male students to come together to share their thoughts and experiences, seek solace and offer mutual support on personal growth, sharing faced challenges, wellbeing and a wide variety of issues that may affect men. The group is open to all male students, including those who identify as male, non-binary and transgender.

• Our group is founded on the principles of trust, respect, and confidentiality.
• It is open for up to 10 students at a time.
• The group meets weekly for 90 minutes.
• Each group is facilitated by a trained counsellor.
• There is no expectation or requirement; we only ask you to bring an open, supportive mind free of judgement.
• This is your group, a safe space to feel accepted and safe
• It is somewhere we can learn from and support each other

When: Every Tuesday at 1pm - 2:30pm from 28 October 2025

For more information, including how to register, please email Chris Watson (University Counsellor) at c.watson2@derby.ac.uk

Please note: this group does not replace medical professionals and counsellors. They act to supplement the support you receive in an open, safe space. We can also discuss further support available internally through the university as well as externally.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), developed by Aaron Beck, is a highly effective therapeutic approach that focuses on the interconnectedness of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. CBT helps individuals recognise the link between what we think, how we feel, and how we act, which is fundamental in managing mental health. Often, we become trapped in negative cycles of thinking that can perpetuate feelings of distress.

CBT empowers individuals by helping them identify and challenge unhelpful or distorted beliefs and by equipping them with practical coping strategies. By restructuring negative thought patterns and promoting healthier ways of thinking and behaving, CBT enables clients to regain control over their lives and improve their emotional well-being.

Attachment Theory, as proposed by John Bowlby, offers a framework for understanding how early experiences with primary caregivers shape our ability to form and maintain relationships throughout our lives.

This well-established theory highlights the significant impact that early attachment experiences have on emotional regulation and interpersonal connections in adulthood. Unresolved attachment issues can lead to maladaptive coping strategies and difficulties in relationships. Understanding these patterns can help individuals recognise and work through past influences. Central to Attachment Theory is the idea of developing a secure internal attachment, which fosters greater self-esteem, emotional resilience, and a healthier sense of self-worth.

Our aim is to help clients build a secure attachment to themselves, cultivating a more positive and compassionate self-view.

Developed by Carl Rogers, the Person-Centred Approach is grounded in the belief that every individual has an inherent desire to realise their full potential. However, life experiences, particularly those that challenge our sense of self-worth, can create barriers to achieving this potential. The Person-centred approach recognises the importance of providing a non-judgmental, empathetic, and supportive environment that allows clients to explore their experiences and emotions freely.

At the heart of this approach is the relationship between the practitioner and the client, which is characterised by genuine empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. By focusing on the individual’s unique experiences and strengths, this approach helps clients rediscover their innate capacity for growth, self-acceptance, and personal fulfilment, ultimately guiding them toward becoming the best version of themselves.

At the University of Derby, we are dedicated to advancing equity and diversity through fostering an inclusive environment. We strive to create a sense of belonging, empowering everyone to bring their authentic selves to our university community.

The Counselling and Mental Health Service is deeply committed to inclusivity and understanding the diverse mental health challenges faced by our students. Recognising the unique experiences shaped by discrimination and diversity, our team engages in regular training to enhance our awareness and address unconscious bias effectively.

We work closely with our colleagues in the Disability Support team to ensure our services are fully accessible to all students, including those with neurodiversity. Guided by our responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010), we are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments to guarantee equal access to our support services.

We understand that some individuals may feel more at ease connecting with a practitioner who shares a specific background or identity. If it would enhance your comfort, we encourage you to request a counsellor based on factors such as ethnicity or gender. Please note, while we will make every effort to fulfil your requests, there may be occasions when this is not possible. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in such cases.

By embracing these commitments, we aim to provide a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of our community.

• At Derby, we prioritise your confidentiality when you access our services and are committed to being open and transparent about how we operate. Our service is fully confidential and operates independently from academic assessment procedures. No information will be shared with your academics unless you specifically request it.
• To provide a professional and effective service, we maintain records in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. These records, including your MHP's or counsellor’s notes, are kept strictly confidential within the service. The only exception to this is in rare cases where there is a legal obligation to disclose information.
• Occasionally, to ensure you receive the best support possible, we may share relevant information with other members of the Student Support Services team. Beyond this, no information will be shared outside of the Student Support Services team without your explicit consent, except in exceptional circumstances where there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others;
• You have the right to access your MHP or counselling records, which will be securely destroyed seven years after your last contact with the service.
• We are here to support you with integrity and care, ensuring that your confidentiality is always respected. Our service is committed to upholding the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. To ensure your confidentiality, your practitioner will not acknowledge you outside of the counselling sessions, unless you initiate contact. This means you don't need to worry about seeing them around campus or in Derby.

By embracing these commitments, we aim to provide a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of our community.

"My counsellor was extremely good in listening to my issues and offered such sound advice. I felt as if I went from a very low place to a good place in a short amount of time. I couldn’t applaud her enough and I felt a great sense of comfortableness and never judged. It was nice to talk to someone who gave such empathy and I can't thank her enough”.

"The techniques and methods employed made it significantly easier for me to open up about myself. Rather than being confronted with direct questions, I was encouraged to share at my own pace, which allowed me to feel more at ease. This approach created a safe and non-intrusive environment, making it possible for me to discuss parts of my life and aspects of myself that I had previously found difficult to express. This supportive framework helped me overcome my initial hesitations and gradually increased my comfort in sharing sensitive experiences."

“Chris Watson was helpful and supportive when I was going through a difficult time with my anxiety and panic attacks. He listened to what I was going through and suggested a lot of helpful exercises to help me improve on my mental heath issues. he was very clear and easy to speak to him and I felt comfortable explaining my issues. He helped me to get back to my old self by helping me to boost my confidence on talking to others and suggesting good tips on not overthinking everything. I would recommend Chris to talk to, if anyone is going through a hard experience as I did”

"Anika was very lovely and patient throughout our sessions. She listened and made sure it was a safe place where I could share my thoughts and not be judged for it. It helped having a friendly atmosphere because although it was a professional relationship, it felt like I was talking to a friend at times, and that really helped me personally to open up more. I appreciate the times where I emailed Anika in distress and she replied quickly, and if I hadn’t gotten back to her, she’d follow up just to check if I was okay."

"It was one of the best decisions I had ever made, it helped me to confront my past traumas effectively and in a way that I could best understand . The process gave me the space and the tools I desperately needed in order to understand my issues and how to process them. Molly was amazing at helping me and she really helped me to get myself back together so I can continue doing the things I like. I gave her 10s across the board because that’s truly my opinion and is fully honest in my quality feedback"

"This is a great service that the university offers, I have never had any therapy like this before, I doubted how helpful they can be until I used the service myself. Sometimes being a mature student, studying and working at the same time can be very chaotic, just having that safe space to talk releases the pressure."

"I wanted to note that my practitioner was exceptional throughout this process – she did not pressure me and gave me the time to process and find my words when I was at a loss for words. She conducted the session based on what I wanted to talk about, and we built around that, with her providing accurate and important insights for me to get the best out of the sessions."

"This service has helped me immensely. Richard actively listened and I felt comfortable throughout. His professional, polite manner built a calm and trusting atmosphere. He offered practical strategies that brought me peace, along with solutions I can use well into the future. He also provided useful resources that I’m confident will support me moving forward."

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Sleep
• Low self-esteem
• Substance use
• Eating disorders
• Self harm
• Suicidal ideation