Personal Counselling and Therapy

Personal Counselling

Do you feel alone, overwhelmed, sad or fearful? Need someone to talk to? Then, we are here for you! Student Development and Support can offer you the support you need in the form of personal counselling.

Frequently asked questions:​​​​ ​
What is personal counselling?​​​
Personal counselling is a therapeutic process where you share your experiences/difficulties/struggles with a mental health professional. The long-term goal of personal counselling is to develop your personal coping skills, to stimulate personal growth and improve your mental health.​

Who can come for personal counselling?
Personal counselling is available to all registered TUT students.

Why do TUT students come for personal counselling?
There are a wide variety of reasons that students come for personal counselling. Some of the reasons are bereavement, trauma, depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, relationship problems, issues related to substances, personal growth needs etc. Please remember, even if your need is not listed here, you can still come for personal counselling.

How do I find a counsellor/psychologist at TUT?
At TUT, you will find a counsellor/psychologist/therapist at the Directorate of Student Development and Support (SDS). They are called SDS Practitioners. Every TUT campus has an SDS unit.
 
How do I make an appointment for personal counselling at SDS?
Please send an email to Counselling@tut.ac.za​ and one of our administrators will contact you via email.

What will happen when I make an appointment at SDS for personal counselling?
When you make an appointment, you will need to fill out an intake and consent form. You will need to complete these before your session. Once this is done you will be able to make an appointment at SDS. appointment. You do not need a referral from someone else. You can simply come to our offices. 

Are there fees involved for personal counselling?
No, these services are for TUT students only – at no cost. 

Who does the personal counselling?
Counselling Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Registered Counsellors and Social Workers. 

Confidentiality
  1. All conversations and information gathered in the counselling sessions are highly confidential. It will not be, subject to what is stated in paragraph 2, disclosed to anyone without your consent.
  2. In certain exceptional situations, however, legal or professional rules may force your counsellor to disclose information about you. These will include:

    • ​Emergency situations
      Should a situation arise where the counsellor believes that there is a real risk that you may harm yourself or that another person may be harmed, he or she will be compelled to take the necessary steps to prevent such harm, even if this may entail breaching confidentiality.​
    • Court orders
      A court may order a counsellor to disclose private information and any notes regarding the client.

Termination of Therapy
Either you, or the counsellor, can terminate therapy at any stage. The counsellor will only terminate therapy in consultation with you and in a professionally accountable way.
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After-hours counselling (between 4pm and 7.30am, over weekends, on public holidays and during TUT recess) Please phone the toll-free SADAG line for TUT students at 0800 68 78 88
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