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How do I register for counselling?

UCD Student Counselling Service Information 2024 

The UCD Student Counselling Service provides professional mental health counselling. Our team is experienced in working with the diverse needs of students and familiar with the issues students’ face.  We focus primarily on working with students for short periods of counselling, providing a confidential space to help you address immediate concerns impacting on your university life and to develop coping strategies. 

Determining whether counselling can help you:

For indicators for counselling please consult these Frequently Asked Questions. If the situation is very urgent, you are in danger and need immediate help please refer to Emergency Support Options.

Specific signs and feelings that may indicate a need for professional support: 

  • Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness: If you frequently feel overwhelmed by sadness or a sense of hopelessness over a consistent period of time (beyond normal adjustment reaction or more than a transient period of feeling blue, demotivated, low energy), it may be beneficial to seek counselling.
  • Experiencing excessive worry or anxiety that interferes with daily life can be a strong signal that counselling is needed.
  • Changes in Behaviour: Noticeable changes in your mood, behaviour, or academic performance, such as withdrawing from social activities or declining grades, can indicate underlying issues.
  • Inability to Cope: If you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities or emotions, or if coping strategies you've tried are ineffective, and you are struggling to make decisions, professional counselling support can provide space to work out what to do and new perspectives.
  • Trauma or Loss: Experiencing significant life changes, such as the loss of a loved one or a traumatic event, may impact deeply and disrupt normal adjustment processes and support may be helpful to process these experiences. If you find that feelings or behaviours persist for longer than normal expectations and significantly impact your quality of life, it’s advisable to reach out to a counselling service. 

When to consult with a GP about your mental health: 

We would advise you to first contact the UCD Student Health Service to make a doctor appointment or contact your own GP If you are experiencing acute and overwhelming emotional distress for example:

  • Enduring low mood and you are finding it difficult to get up and perform simple daily tasks.
  • Pervasive sense of despair and hopelessness about the future
  • Strong suicidal urges/plan to end your life.
  • Overwhelming anxiety that severely disrupts your everyday life. 
  • Feelings of paranoia or very unusual thought processes 
  • Hearing voices 
  • Alcohol or substance abuse issues  

Accessing the UCD Student Counselling Service is easy:  Once you have read our FAQs and consulted the information and links on this page and you wish to proceed with your registration, simply fill out a brief confidential intake form located at the end of this page during the hours of 9.30am - 2pm, Monday to Friday. If you have any questions, the admin team will guide you through the process.

While we strive to meet every student's needs, please be aware that wait times may vary based on demand and we cannot predict the length of time you will be expected to wait. During times of peak demand we will provide updates where possible. 

While you are waiting, or if you are uncertain about where to go for support please consider the additional support services you can access as a UCD student. UCD is committed to a whole campus approach and a supportive campus community and staff, or students in leadership positions, would be open to listening and helping you find the right support.

Are you New to UCD?

What you can do to help yourself to adapt: Be mindful of the fact that changes and new, pressured environments can jeopardise or even prevent our ability to take care of ourselves.  Most students have fears, negative thoughts and feelings about starting University that are temporary and gradually fade away.  For others, it can take up to the end of the first year to feel really settled and happy.  Be gentle on yourself.  To reduce and manage distress, try to prioritise and balance your basic needs; food, rest & sleep, things and activities that make you feel safe and in control, connecting with others (old friends/new friends/family), and by consistently doing so, you will gradually feel more settled and content, and able to reconnect with your strengths, with a growing sense of your purpose and competence.  Remember that others are, or have been, in the same boat on the same journey as you. You are not alone; check out the following resources: 

UCD Student Counselling Registration Form

You need to be signed into your UCD Connect email account to access the form successfully. By submitting the registration form you indicate agreement with the confidentiality information contained in our Frequently Asked Questions and Privacy Statement. Once you have consulted the information and wish to proceed with your registration, please complete the following(opens in a new window) UCD Student Counselling Service Registration Form by clicking on the embedded link, completing the form, and then clicking submit. When we receive this form you will be registered with the Service and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible to confirm receipt of your registration form.