Our services
Our philosophy is to make our services available to as many students as possible. We therefore offer group and workshop-based approaches as well as shorter-term individual counselling sessions. We follow evidence-based practices and strive to reach specific outcomes in therapy. Our services are free to registered students.
Cognitive Training
Workshops and webinars are offered by the SCU throughout the year. All the webinars and groups do not run simultaneously and you will be able to choose a webinar or group you are interested in well in advance and make a booking.
The workshops and webinars offers support with adjusting to university, test and exams, mental health and self-discovery. The workshops can assist you in making your journey at UP a success! To register email: [email protected]. Click here for more information
Supportive consultation with a counsellor
You are welcome to have a supportive conversation with a cousnellor, any time, day or night. By phoning 0800 747 747, or sending and sms to 31393, you can enjoy the support and advice of a registered counsellor standing by to assist you immediately. This service is available through or mental health partners at SADAG.
Scheduling formal individual psychotherapy
Students may seek assistance in the form of more formal therapy with a psychologist for many different problem areas.
Our approach at SCU includes short term psychotherapy, with specific goals in mind. We want to help you to address your problem and enhance your skills to manage life's difficulties.
Students could be referred to a peer support group for further support and assistance once individual sessions conclude.
In the event where long-term interventions or specialised specialised treatments such as a Psychiatric or other specialist medical referrals, we will recommend a referral to other service providers.
We have in the past assisted students with the following, and many other, problems areas:
Please do not hesitate to send an email to [email protected] to request formal therapy in the form of personal (currently online) consultations.
Requests for services via email are attended to on a daily basis, but it may take some time for us to book you into formal therapy. If you need immediate assistance, you should call 0800 747 747. The counsellor can support you until your therapy with the psychologist can commence.
We assist students in a wide variety of ways to maximize their academic success while studying at the University of Pretoria. We would like to encourage students to contact their Faculty Student Advisors for specific academic and study-related assistance or course related enquiries.
On an academic level here at SCU we can assist students with
Liaison with the Disability Unit for Concessions
We also assist the Disability Unit with assessments relating to reasonable concessions for students with a disability to ensure a fair and equal learning environment.
These disabilities may include psycho-social, psychiatric or learning difficulties.
Students will have to submit recent and relevant documentation, which may include specialist reports.
All concession requirements must firstly be processed and registered at the Disability Unit before being referred to the Student Counselling Unit for assistance.
Contact details for the Disability Unit can be found on their webpage at https://www.up.ac.za/disability-unit
Please note: For specific questions about modules, credits, study skills development, planning your study timetable, academic stress, managing your studies, or receiving other course specific academic help, please contact your Faculty Student Advisor (FSA).
Emergency assistance during office hours 07:30-15:30
The Student Counselling Unit offers assistance in times of psychological distress.
This implies trauma such as rape, assault, muggings, domestic abuse and physical abuse. If you are experiencing an emergency of this nature, please alert the receptionist immediately and she will mobilize the relevant staff member to attend to you.
Protocols are in place to help you with the emotional consequences of such an event, but also with the medical and security issues that a trauma such as this implies. It is best that you come together with a trusted friend, family member, House or Faculty Committee member if possible.
This will help us to mobilize all the available resources on your behalf if you are unable to do so for yourself. In the case of physical trauma, you can also make your first port of call the Student Health Services (next to the Thuto Building) for you to be stabilized physically.
If you are experiencing an emergency after hours, please contact
Both these organizations are geared towards managing an after hours emergency and will mobilize the relevant support agencies on your behalf.
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