Counselling (also known as therapy) provides an opportunity to talk with a trained professional about anything in your life which is impacting your psychological wellbeing and daily life. Counselling provides a safe and confidential space where you can talk openly without being judged. Counsellors don’t provide advice or solutions, but work with you to reflect on whatever you are finding difficult and support you to identify healthier strategies to manage. 

Common issues students bring to counselling include: stress, anxiety, low mood, perfectionism, identity, relationships, sexuality, self-image, and self-esteem. Please note that in some cases, short-term counselling may not be appropriate, in which case we will help you think about alternatives. 

The Counselling Service is designed to offer short-term, focussed counselling to support you, your wellbeing and School life.

The counselling offered is intended to be brief and many students find that one session, or perhaps one or two more is enough. The exact number of appointments you have will be discussed and agreed with you in the first appointment when you will have the opportunity to speak about any concerns that are impacting you. If any further appointments are agreed, they are usually spaced out over several weeks or months so you have time to reflect and put things into practice.

Alongside counselling, you may be offered self-help resources, signposted to School and / or external services and resources if these are suitable for your needs.

Some issues that may be complex and / or long standing may require further appointments but the aim will be to always keep counselling efficient and focussed. Complex, serious and / or ongoing mental health issues are best supported by the NHS and / or LSE Mental Health Service. We are unable to offer ongoing or long-term counselling.

Appointments can be in person on campus or online via Zoom, and each appointments lasts up to 50 minutes. 

Our staff will not discuss anything about you outside of the Student Wellbeing Service without your explicit agreement, except in exceptional circumstances (for example, we would have a duty to inform your GP if we were concerned that there was a serious risk of harm to yourself or others).   

For detailed information on confidentiality and data protection procedures, please refer to the Student Wellbeing Service confidentiality policy. 

You must be a current, enrolled student to access the Counselling Service.

If you are approaching the end of your course, please email the Counselling Service at student.wellbeing@lse.ac.uk and we will let you know if any options are available to you.

All counsellors are trained and accredited with an appropriate professional body. 

To contact the Counselling Service or a counsellor, please email: student.wellbeing@lse.ac.uk 

Counsellors

Ali Graves (she/her) (UKCP, HCPC Accred)

Working Days: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Julie McNair (she/her) (BPC Reg)

Working Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Melanie Fox (she/her) (UKCP Reg)

Working Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Reem Hagona (she/her) (UKCP Reg)

Working Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Sally Madley (she/her) (MBACP - Accred)

Working Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Samia Reza-Premjee (she/her) (MBACP - Accred)

Working Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Sarah Jones (she/her) (FPC, BPC Reg)

Working Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Susie Ward (she/her) (MBACP - Accred)

Working Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Tricia McNamee (she/her) (MBACP - Accred)

Working Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Head of Counselling Service 

Rafiya Hanid (she/her; they/them) MBACP Accred

Deputy Head of Counselling Service

Max Eames (he/him) (CPsychol, MBACP - Snr Accred)