FAQ

1. What is counselling?
   Counselling is a process that helps people work out personal, academic, or vocational challenges, and to explore personal attributes, strength and potentials. Through this process, people often gain increased awareness, independence, and effectiveness in the pursuit of personal goals.


2. Who can use the Counselling Service?
   Full-time SCOPE students including full-time Top-up Degree, full-time 3-Year Degree and full-time Advanced Diploma students of the SCOPE are eligible to use the service.


3. How much does it cost?
   The service is free for all eligible students.


4. When should I see counsellors and seek help?
   You can seek counsellors' help when:
   - You need some brief advice on your personal concerns;
   - You want to understand yourself better in a biopsychosocial perspective;
   - You want to improve your capabilities in certain aspects of your life;
   - You want to obtain some help to deal with your emotions resulted from a distressful life situation.


5. What will happen at my first appointment?
   Your initial appointment with a counsellor is a one-to-one interview to discuss and understand your concerns, and to provide you with some advice and suggestions. The counsellor and you will work out mutually agreed goals related to your concerns and plan for additional sessions. When necessary, the counsellor may suggest referring you to counselling services, medical or psychiatric services in the community.


6. How many sessions will be arranged?
   Our counselling team adopts a client-need-oriented short-term counselling. The exact number of sessions will depend on the nature of issues and mutual agreement.


7. What can I do in case of emergency?
   You are highly encouraged to consult a professional in agencies or institutions in the local community. For details, please refer to Community Resources.