FAQ
What is counselling?
Counselling is a collaborative process of having a safe and open discussion between a person seeking counselling and a trained counsellor on options and strategies to better deal with issues or circumstances that are affecting a person’s quality of life.
Who is the counsellor?
SUTD’s Counsellors are professionally trained to support students seeking counselling to better manage their issue or condition. In the event that the issue or condition may require the services beyond what the Wellbeing Services could provide, the Counsellor would discuss alternative care resources with the student, and/or seek informed consent from the student for the Counsellor to work with an appropriate member of the SUTD community or the student’s caregiver to provide the best possible care.
Is counselling confidential?
As SUTD is an institute of higher learning, the Wellbeing Services offers students a high degree of privacy and confidentiality. Any disclosure of restricted and privileged information will be subject to the student’s informed consent or based on legal and ethical grounds that includes situation which presents imminent risk.
Information on the Protocol of the Wellbeing Services: https://www.sutd.edu.sg/campus-life/wellbeing-services/protocol.
Who uses counselling services?
Students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme at SUTD may seek counselling for any personal issue or challenge.
As counselling is a private and confidential matter, the Wellbeing Services does not encourage the presence of an external party during the counselling session, unless the SUTD Counsellors assess that it is necessary.
What is the duration and frequency of the counselling session?
The first counselling session usually takes about 60 minutes. After the initial meeting, either one of the options will be considered:
- No further counselling is required
- Further appointment is needed to explore the issues further
- Alternative services are appropriate and the Counsellor may provide specific resources
How do I know that I need counselling?
If your personal issues or challenges are affecting the quality of your life in areas such as your health, relationship, daily activities or sleep, it may benefit you to seek professional help.
Is the counselling session face-to-face?
It is important that face-to-face discussion takes place between the Counsellor and the student as counselling is a collaborative effort that involves in-depth discussion of the issues, thoughts and feelings as well as exploration of options. If a student prefers an anonymous platform, the Counsellor may provide alternative community resources that are currently available.
May I refer a student for counselling?
If you know of a student who is showing signs of distress, you may inform the person that SUTD provides professional counselling services in a private and confidential setting. You may encourage the person to make an appointment with the Counsellor directly and privately. As informed consent is important, counselling is usually consensual and a person’s decision to accept or decline the offer of help will be respected.
May I make a counselling appointment on behalf of a student?
The Wellbeing Services does not accept the booking of an appointment on behalf of another person due to privacy and ethical concerns. You may inform the person about the availability of counselling services and provide the person the Wellbeing Services’ email address (wellbeing@sutd.edu.sg) to make an appointment.
How do I utilise the counselling service?
Counselling by appointment is encouraged as the Counsellors may be engaged in a counselling session. You may email wellbeing@sutd.edu.sg and provide the dates and times that you are available to meet the Counsellor.