Counselling services

Here at University Health and Counselling we provide short-term counselling support for students, for any issues that are impacting on their studies (e.g. life challenges, relationships, family, sexuality, depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol/drug issues).

Often two to three sessions is enough to help to manage things better and get back on track but if you need more sessions, we can discuss this with you and work together to develop a plan or offer referrals if appropriate.

In order to best fit your needs, we ask you to complete the questionnaire below. All information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Complete the questionnaire.

Note: The questionnaire will only display for enrolled students. 

UHCS offers bookings with our Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Clinician, Niamh Pritchard.

Niamh is a Registered Nurse by background and she offers a safe space for students who just want to learn more or explore personal problems related to binge- drinking, peer pressure and drug experimentation

She can assist in supporting students to self-assess the perceived ‘severity’ of their alcohol and drug use, its impact on their wellbeing and potential areas for developing coping strategies other than alcohol or drug use.

She is committed to providing support that is non-judgemental, non-punitive and focuses on reducing harm and improving wellbeing and incorporating cultural values and identity.

UHCS offers the service of a dedicated Māori Psychologist to all tangata whai ora. The service is confidential.

The service is committed to providing a culturally affirming service, utilising resources available specifically for Māori, and referring clients to kaupapa Māori treatment services if needed.

In this role, Michael Smith (Ngāti Whātua) is available to any student enrolled at UHCS.

Get support with feelings of anxiety, low mood, relationships, grief, addictions, low self-esteem or low confidence.

• A phone and online support service to help strengthen your hauora | wellbeing.
• Counselling sessions are held over the phone and using a web-based program.
• Sessions can be held anytime between 9am - 9pm, seven days a week.
• The service is independent, confidential and free.

To enrol, call 0800 782 999 or click the button below.

Please note: you will be asked for your student ID number to confirm you are an enrolled student.

If you are needing to speak to us urgently we hold some spaces for walk in appointments.

We will ensure that a counsellor, or other clinician, is able to speak to you or book you in for the next day. Please let reception know if this applies to you.

Our criteria for urgent on the day appointments are:

• Concern about possibility of suicide or serious harm to self or someone else
• Recent rape or assault or harassment
• Witness to a traumatic event

Call 0800 698 427 | 0800 MY UHCS to check availability for an urgent on the day appointment.

Immediate Risk

For an emergency that is happening right now dial 111, or, to discuss your own or someone else's safety or acute mental health crisis, phone the Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 800 717 (24 hrs).

You must bring your student ID card to all appointments – this is a safety requirement. A lot of our services are free to domestic students and for international students who have the right insurance plan.

Changing or missing appointments:

We require 24 hours notice of a change or cancellation of an appointment. If we do not receive notice, you will be charged a fee.

We do this to ensure that we have time to fill cancelled slots with students who may require our help and resources.

To change or cancel an appointment, call 0800 698 427 - 0800 MY UHCS