University Counsellor - Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

The primary purpose of the University Counsellor – Mental Health & Wellbeing Support is to provide professional, compassionate, and effective counselling services that foster a culture of care, resilience, and emotional wellbeing among students. This role ensures students have access to mental health support, crisis intervention, and proactive wellbeing initiatives that address the unique challenges faced during their university journey.

General Profile

• Support students in understanding and complying with university rules, policies, and codes of conduct.
• Promote a positive, safe, and inclusive environment that supports student development and wellbeing.
• Build strong relationships with students, fostering a sense of trust, openness, and confidence in counselling services.
• Assist in addressing behavioural or academic concerns by collaborating with academic and student affairs teams.
• Participate in university wellbeing committees and contribute to institutional strategy for mental health and wellbeing.
• Act as a key resource and point of contact for mental health-related issues affecting student performance or adjustment.
• Stay up to date on best practices in university counselling, crisis response, and student wellbeing.
• MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL.
• Must be able to live and work in the UK

Functional Specific Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling sessions to support students experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, homesickness, cultural adjustment, and academic pressures.
• Conduct mental health screenings and assessments to identify at-risk students and develop tailored support plans.
• Design and implement mental health interventions and coping strategies to enhance students’ resilience and emotional regulation.
• Collaborate closely with academic advisors, student support teams, and medical providers to ensure holistic care is delivered.
• Offer crisis intervention for students experiencing acute mental health crises or emergencies and refer to appropriate external services when needed.
• Work with local mental health professionals, embassies, and emergency services when students require external support.
• Facilitate regular check-ins with students to monitor their adjustment, wellbeing, and coping strategies.
• Develop and deliver workshops and awareness campaigns on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, coping with transitions, healthy relationships, and mental health literacy.
• Advocate for mental health awareness across campus by organizing campaigns, sharing resources, and reducing stigma.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure incidents are documented in alignment with institutional policies and confidentiality standards.
• Participate in student case reviews with academic and student affairs staff to provide expert input on students of concern.
• Consult with faculty, parents (when appropriate), and campus staff to provide holistic support and share strategies to promote student success.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, ethical counselling standards, and cultural sensitivities when working with a diverse student population.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or a related mental health field.
• Demonstrated experience providing counselling to students in a university or educational setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with students, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic is a plus.