• Individual Counselling

Individual counseling is counseling focused on the individual's immediate or near future concerns. Individual counseling may encompass career counseling and planning, grief after a loved one dies or dealing with problems at a job before they become big. Individual counseling is a one-on-one discussion between the counselor and the client, who is the person seeking treatment. The two form an alliance, relationship or bond that enables trust and personal growth.

• Group Counselling

Group counselling is a form of counseling where a small group of people meet regularly to discuss, interact, and explore problems with each other and the group leader. Group counseling seeks to give students a safe and comfortable place on campus where they can work out problems and emotional concerns. Members gain insight into their own thoughts and be­havior, and offer suggestions and support to others. In addition, people who have a difficult time with interpersonal relationships can benefit  from the social interactions that are a basic part of the group counseling experience. Most groups composed of students of differing ages, backgrounds and ex­periences. This helps to provide additional perspectives.

Crisis intervention is a time-limited intervention with a specific psychotherapeutic approach to immediately stabilize those in crisis. A crisis can have physical or psychological effects. Usually significant and more widespread, the latter lacks the former's obvious signs, complicating diagnosis. Three factors define crisis: negative events, feelings of hopelessness, and unpredictable events. People who experience a crisis perceive it as a negative event that generate physical emotion, pain, or both. They also feel helpless, powerless, trapped, and a loss of control over their lives. Crisis events tend to occur suddenly and without warning, leaving little time to respond and resulting in trauma.

Psychological testing is the administration of psychological tests.Psychological tests are administered by trained evaluators. The Psychological Tests used to assess the students are as follows:

• Sidek’s Personality Inventory (IPS)
• Colour Personality Inventory (IPW)
• Self Directed Search (SDS)
• Loving Style Inventory (IGB)
• Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI)
• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
• Mooney Problem Check Lists (MPCL)
• Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Test (MIT)
• Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS)
• Tajma Personality Profile (PPT-R)
• Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ)
• Personal Stress Inventory (PSI)

Consultation is voluntarily provided by the counselor to assist another professional or an organization with a problem. Thus, counseling consultation is said to be triadic which means that there are three parties (sometimes groups) involved: a consultant, a consultee, and a client. It is also voluntary on the part of the consultant.

Information either oral or written will be kept confidential and will not be revealed within or outside the university. This is required by the ethical code of our profession based on The Counsellors Act 1998 (Act 580). Your information is in safe hands. 

Who is a counsellor?

Counsellors are individuals who are trained and have expertise, accreditation, knowledge in counselling and experience in the process of helping individuals with different backgrounds and diverse issues. 

What are the qualifications of a Counsellor at Universiti Utara Malaysia Counselling Centre?

The counsellors have at least a Bachelor of Counselling Degree or equivalent and a license as a Registered Counsellor under the Malaysian Board of Counsellors.

What is a counselling session?

Counselling session is a systematic process of helping relationships based on psychological principles performed by professional counsellors to produce comprehensive changes, development and personal adjustment of the client for a lifetime based on the counsellor’s code of ethics.

If I have an issue/problem, when is the right time for me to get counselling?

You can see a counsellor if you feel the need to share with someone about the issue/problem and do not have to wait until the matter becomes serious. If the problem is still small, it will facilitate the process of solving the problem.

What issues or problems can I share in a counselling session?

Various issues and problems can be shared and assisted through counselling. Among the issues that can be shared with counsellors at UUM Counselling Centre are issues related to career, finance, academic, discipline, psychosocial, psychological, personal, health and so on.

How can I get counselling services at UUM Counselling Centre?

You can ‘walk in’ and complete an appointment form or contact the counsellor at the Counselling Centre to get an appointment to ensure that your session doesn’t overlap with other clients. Apart from that counselling session services can also be accessed online at https://forms.gle/hsWfzjgKrK6v1apV9

How much does it cost to attend a counselling session at UUM Counselling Centre?

Counselling session services provided at UUM Counselling Centre are FREE.

Who can get services at this UUM Counselling Centre?

Services at UUM Counselling Centre are open to all Staff and Students of Universiti Utara Malaysia.

When is the operating time of UUM Counselling Centre?

The operating hours of the UUM Counselling Centre are according to working hours.

How effective is a counselling session?

It depends on the extent of the change desired by the individual seeking counselling services.

What should I do if some of my friends want to hurt themselves?

Please contact and inform the counsellor. The Counselling Centre will try to help you and your friends according to the SOP that has been set. The Counselling Centre has a complete SOP in dealing with issues/situations.

I am worried that the counsellor will talk about me behind my back? Or worse, will they laugh at my story?

All issues or problems shared in the counselling session are PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL according to the Counsellors Act 1998 based on certain conditions only. You need to trust your counsellor to get effective therapy. Counsellors will not share information about you with anyone without your own consent unless the information presented is detrimental or harmful to yourself or those around you.

How often will we meet?

There are no limits and rules on how often a session is conducted but it depends on your discussion with your counsellor at the beginning of the session.

Will I be given any kind of medicine?

No! As a counsellor we are only eligible to conduct counselling and guidance session services.

What other services are provided by the Universiti Utara Malaysia Counselling Centre?

The Counselling Centre provides a variety of psychological tests that can help you to identify your personality, skills and self-development. In addition, the Counselling Centre also organises various programmes and activities in the form of psycho-education and motivation.