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Current Students

Counselling

Supporting our current students to be resilient and thrive during their studies.

If this is urgent 

If it is an emergency, please call 000 (Australia only).
​​​​​
If you are experiencing distress and need to urgently speak with someone, please contact: 

If you are on campus and there is an emergency, call 000, then alert University Security on 1800 646 501 or through SafeZone app

If you are not in Australia, please contact your emergency service,  mental health practitioner, doctor, or support organisation in the country where you are currently residing. 

CDU Wellbeing Support Line

The CDU Wellbeing Support Line is available 24 hours if you need to speak with someone urgently. 

Ph: 1300 933 393   

SMS: 0488884144

Emotional distress and crisis response protocol

CDU has an Emotional Distress and Crisis response protocol to guide anyone providing immediate support to someone in distress.

Protocol information

Attending counselling

Short-term individual counselling sessions and regular group wellbeing sessions are provided by the counselling team. There is often high demand for this service. 

These services are free and confidential to all students experiencing personal, family, mental health, or general wellbeing concerns that are affecting their study. Your attendance at counselling or group wellbeing sessions is voluntary. 

In both individual and group settings, counsellors endeavour to create spaces where you feel safe. You will work with a counsellor to develop wellbeing strategies that are right for you. Counsellors will also support your steps to accessing more intensive and ongoing support through another provider if required. 

Confidentiality and informed consent

It is a requirement that the Counselling Service has your written consent before engaging in counselling. Consent relates to counselling service provision, confidentiality, and privacy.

If risk or safety issues are identified, the counsellors may need to release information to other parties to keep yourself or others safe. 

Your counsellor is legally required to waive your confidentiality if they have reasonable cause to believe you may harm yourself or others or there is an imminent threat of harm/danger to yourself, other adults and children, or CDU.  

In these circumstances, they will first endeavour to discuss with you the action they will be taking to ensure the safety of you and/or others. All efforts will be made to have this discussion with you in person, if it is safe and possible for them to do so. 

Learn more

Explore our group sessions

At different times we have small group and workshop options available online and on campus.

You can attend one, some or all of these sessions to:

  • Grow your ways for wellbeing while studying
  • Develop emotional regulation strategies during stressful times
  • Learn, ask questions and make decisions about all the student support services you can access

You can find these on the student portal so keep an eye out for upcoming sessions.

If you want to find out more information about group sessions or want to share your ideas, get in touch with us.

Contact us

Appointments

Counsellors can meet with you in-person (Casuarina and Sydney campuses only) or via telephone/video meeting. Sessions are generally up to 45 minutes in length. Single session and Initial appointments can be for a reduced time. 

Single session appointments. If you would like a one-off session for wellbeing support.

Initial appointments. If you have not seen a counsellor in the last 6 months and you would like multiple counselling sessions. 

Subsequent individual appointments. If you are seeking up to 5 additional appointments. Counsellors can also discuss ways of accessing long term therapy options.

Request Online

Counselling locations and enquiries

Casuarina campus

Student Support Services, Blue 5.1

Mon–Thurs: 8:30am⁠–4pm (ACST)
Fri: 8:30am⁠–3pm (ACST)

Sydney campus

Level 8, 815 George Street, Haymarket

Monday – Fridays: 8:30am⁠–4pm (AEST/AEDT)

Online

Zoom or telephone

Mon–Fri: 8:30am⁠–4pm (ACST)

Book Online

Booking appointments

Request a counselling appointment.

Request Online

If emailing about other enquiries, please provide:

  • your name
  • student number
  • contact phone number

We will endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours.

Reporting sexual assault and sexual harassment

Charles Darwin University is committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive environment. If you, or someone you know, has experienced sexual misconduct, we encourage you to report this.

Explore options

There are different options for reporting that you may consider.

Explore options

Make a report

You can lodge a disclosure, make a formal report, or report anonymously. 

Make a report

Counselling

If you prefer to talk to a Counsellor who can provide guidance and advice. Please book a free and confidential appointment.

CDU counselling

CDU student with a laptop looking confident

Staying well

There are many things that cause stress in our daily lives, such as study, finances, work and family.

We have put together ideas and resources to help you to keep your wellbeing in check throughout study and life.

Learn more

Who attends counselling? 

    People attend counselling for all kinds of reasons.

    These could relate to emotional distress, mental health challenges, family and relationships, distressing or traumatic life events, stressor, stress responses and coping strategies.

    People also attend counselling to grow their wellbeing strategies, maintain their wellbeing, or draw on them when faced with challenges. 

    Information in your language

    What is Counselling?

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