10 FAQs
1. How to make an appointment?
Appointment for counselling can be arranged online through our online booking system: https://www.ln.edu.hk/osa/counselling
2. What to Do in Case of Emergency?
If you feel the situation is life-threatening or requires emergency intervention:
- Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of the nearest hospital: Tuen Mun Hospital
Tel: 2468 5111
Address: 23 Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong
- On-Campus Lingnan University Emergency Hotline:
Tel: 2616 8000
3. What if I need to talk to a counsellor when the centre is closed?
Our counselling service hours are from 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:21, Monday to Friday. We are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.
In case you need psychological support beyond service hours, our 24-hour counselling hotline for Lingnan students 2616 8866, which is managed by The Christian Family Service Centre, is also available to you.
You are highly encouraged to consult a professional in agencies or institutions in the local community. For details, please refer to Emergency and Community Resources.
4. How long is the appointment?
Counselling sessions will usually last for 50 minutes, but sometimes shorter or longer sessions are arranged. You should allow up to an hour for the first appointment. If you arrive late, please be aware that your appointment will be curtailed or may be re-scheduled.
5. Can I request a specific counsellor?
A student is matched with a counsellor based on the assessment of what you have described on your form and the availability indicated on your timetable, not a specific counsellor can be chosen.
6. Does my problem have to be a serious one to see a counsellor?
No, you don’t need to be in crisis or have diagnosed with mental health challenge to have counselling. Our counsellors are trained to provide counselling for a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns. Seeing a counsellor is about making a choice to get the help that you need. It is an act of self-care and courage, not weakness. You take responsibility for your psychological well-being and invest in your personal growth in the psychotherapeutic process.
7. Will my counsellor tell anyone about my problems?
The counselling we offer is confidential, which means we will not discuss your situation with anyone outside the counselling services, unless we have your consent to do so. Exceptions to this rule apply only if there are legal or statutory obligations to disclose, or if there is a risk of serious harm to the client or to others.
8. Will records be kept about my counselling?
Yes. In accordance with professional practice, the Service keeps statistical information on clients and individual counsellors make notes about what happens during sessions. These records are strictly confidential and do not go outside the Service.
9. Can I help another student to make an appointment?
Counselling is a voluntary process, and the effectiveness relies on psychotherapeutic relationship between the counsellor and student. Therefore, it is the students’ own choice and responsibility to make an appointment for our service.
If your friends or roommates decide not to see a counsellor at this moment, respect their choice and encourage them to seek professional help when they are ready. You can give them the leaflet for counselling services.
10. How many sessions will be arranged?
Our counselling services adopt a client- need-oriented counselling principle. Depending on your counselling needs and conditions. The total number of sessions will depend on the nature of the concerns and the mutual agreement between you and the counsellor.