At UCS, our counselors help students explore a variety of academic and personal concerns. Common issues that lead students to seek support include adjusting to university life, identity concerns, relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, grief and loss.
Our counselors are equipped to address a broad range of issues and work collaboratively with students to help them identify personal goals, develop coping skills and generate solutions to current difficulties.
For many students, a single session with a UCS counselor may provide enough clarity and guidance. Others may benefit from ongoing support, depending on their needs.
During your first session, the counselor will ask you to describe your concerns and gather some background information. Together, you and the counselor will decide if further sessions would be helpful and set goals for your progress. Counseling at UCS is problem-focused, flexible and culturally appropriate, with counselors employing different strategies based on individual needs.
You may feel anxious, self-conscious or unsure at first—that’s completely normal. Our counselors are experienced in creating a safe, accepting and non-judgmental environment where you can talk openly about your feelings. Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes and may occur weekly, biweekly or monthly, depending on your needs and the counselor’s availability.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency outside of UCS hours, please call +971 6 515 2100 and select option one to speak to an on-call nurse. In cases of immediate danger, contact local emergency services at 999.
All counseling services provided at UCS are completely confidential. Your personal information and the content of your sessions will not be shared without your consent, except in rare cases where safety is a concern.
For community members who require more intensive or specialized services, or those with long-term psychiatric conditions, UCS will refer them to appropriate external mental health providers. Please note that UCS does not prescribe or monitor psychotropic or any other medications.
In addition to individual counseling, UCS provides resources that help students understand and manage the challenges they may be facing. These resources are often used alongside counseling to support growth:
For more information, visit the TalkCampus website or speak with a UCS counselor about how TalkCampus can complement your mental health journey.
At UCS, we pride ourselves on providing culturally sensitive counseling services that respect the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our community members.
To schedule a confidential appointment with one of our counselors, please click here.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
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