Counselling

Counselling and Wellbeing at MPW

Therapy is available and free to all MPW Cambridge students in-person or remotely. Our college Chartered Psychologist, Heena Chudasama is available on Wednesdays 9am- 5pm during term time. Our college accredited and registered Counsellor, Tom Huber is available from Monday to Friday 9am-5pm throughout the year. Appointments can be booked at a time that is convenient to you.

What is counselling for?

Counselling can offer you a space in which to explore any difficulty you may be having in your life. This can be a short, medium or long term concern. If you are worried, down or confused, talking things over can help you to make sense of how you feel and find new ways of dealing with problems, without being judged or told what to do. Counselling is not about being given advice but rather helping you to find your own answers and gain more control in your life.

Examples of issues you might bring to counselling

Lack of confidence or low self-esteem
Family problems
Loneliness/ feeling homesick
Issues around food and body image
Self-harm
Anxiety
Making difficult decisions
Bereavement/loss/grief
Traumatic experiences
Depression
Managing change and transition
Issues around sex and sexuality
Anything that is causing difficulty or stress in your life
Issues around relationships

You may also require support in other areas, which might include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder
Depression and relapse prevention
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD), Social Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD), and Social Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH)
Relationship and attachment issues
Abuse e.g. sexual, verbal, physical, emotional, neglect
Work/university/college/school related issues
Anger management/Assertiveness training
Cross-cultural issues and concerns
Work-life balance
Intergenerational trauma and legacy burden
Critical and significant incidents
Neurodiverse/Neurodevelopmental disorders: including Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Disordered eating
Sleep issues

We offer various forms of therapy in addition to counselling which is tailored to your need, such as:

Solution Focused therapy
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Integrative Psychotherapy

Other support services include:

Initial psychological assessment: to ascertain the student needs, goals and next steps
Individual therapy
Follow up sessions
Onward Referrals
Reflective practice
Education and wellbeing support plan
Check in for students who are already engaging with an external mental health practitioner

Is it confidential?

Yes. Nothing you say will be shared with anyone else without your permission. The only exception to this rule is if you or someone else is at risk of harm. The limits of confidentiality will be clearly explained in your first session.

What happens at the first appointment?

You will be told a bit more about the service and asked a few questions about what is troubling you, your history and what you hope to get out of sessions. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire or two to help identify your needs and current concern. It is important that we see you as a whole person and therefore promote a biopsychosocial approach in understand and support you. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. However you are welcome to ask us any questions you might have throughout the duration of the sessions or via email.

How long does counselling last?

If you decide to arrange further sessions after your initial appointment you will usually be offered a minimum of 6 sessions. It might be the case that you require fewer or additional sessions , it is important to work according to your need. You will be offered a session at the same time every week. Sessions last up to 50 minutes.

Where is the Counselling Service and how do I get an appointment?

The counselling service is based at Brookside. For more information or if you would like to book an initial session, please email:

Chartered Psychologist Heena: Heena.Chudasama@mpw.ac.uk
Counsellor Tom: Tom.Huber@mpw.ac.uk

Or Speak to your DoS or member of the Safeguarding team