Psychological help for students in Leuven

ATTENTION: This offer does not apply to postgraduate students.

You are considering making an appointment with a psychologist/psychotherapist? Know that you're not the only one. Every year, no less than 700 UCLL students take this step just like you!

Because this often raises a lot of questions for students, we've compiled the most frequently asked questions below.  So take some time to read through all the information so that you are well informed about everything. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact the person who referred you or ask your psychologist/psychotherapist. 

Not sure if a psychologist/psychotherapist can help you further, or are you hesitant to take the step? Then be sure to contact the student services at your campus. 

WHAT DO FELLOW STUDENTS WHO WENT TO THE PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHOTHERAPIST SAY? 

"Definitely do it! Find someone who fits you and you feel good about."
"Definitely do! You get a lot of tips, you feel understood and you can cry without shame."
"Just do it, it really helps a lot to be able to talk to people who are not your parents or friends (people who understand your problems)."
"It's not like you have to turn your soul inside out. You get practical help, understanding and lots of tips, all tailored to you."
"It's worth giving it a chance and trying anyway!"
"TALKING! Talking helps, talking is good. It may be awkward at first, but it does so much good to be able to open your heart and have someone on the outside hear your story and respond to it! They don't judge, everything is confidential!"
"Don't hesitate. You certainly have nothing to lose and it gives you a different perspective on the problems you are struggling with."

WHERE CAN I GO IF I NEED PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP?

We work together with many practices in Leuven:

WHICH PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHOTHERAPIST SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Which psychologist/psychotherapist is best for you depends on several things. For example, do you think it is important to be close to your dorm or to the train station? Do you want an appointment as soon as possible? Do you think it's ok if appointments continue online? Do you have a preference for a man or a woman? Do you like a certain approach?

We also recommend you to contact the student services at your campus so they can help you make a choice. They know the psychologists/psychotherapists well and also have an overview of any waiting lists.

Would you rather make your choice on your own? That is also possible of course!  Then take a look at the website of the group practices (see above).

HOW CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

You can easily sign up through the intranet.
Within a week you will be contacted by your psychologist/psychotherapist.

Have you heard nothing after a week? Then probably something went wrong. Be sure to send an e-mail to eva.hendrickx@ucll.be 

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Within the mental health field, wait times often run up to several months or even a year. 

Fortunately, as a UCLL student you have the advantage that you can usually schedule a first appointment within 4 weeks. 
A lot depends on when you apply, as some periods are busier than others. Do you have a flexible schedule? Then it is often easier to schedule an appointment sooner.

Would you like to have insight into any waiting lists? Then contact the student services at your campus.

WHERE DOES THE APPOINTMENT TAKE PLACE?

Consultations always take place in the practice of the psychologist/psychotherapist.  

The practices are centrally located and easily accessible by bicycle and public transport. You can find the addresses on the website of the group practice (see above).

Is it difficult for you to get around? Know that some psychologists/psychotherapists also offer online consultations, and that on some campuses you can also have a consultation with the psychologist/psychotherapist on the campus itself. Check with your student services department about this.

HOW MUCH DOES A SESSION WITH THE PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHOTHERAPIST COST? 

As a student of UC Leuven you can enjoy a reduced rate: you pay €15 per session instead of €60-70.

WHAT IF €15 IS TOO MUCH FOR ME?

If it is difficult for you or your parents to pay €15, you can request financial intervention from Social Services. 

Inform yourself about this with the student services on your campus or your psychologist/psychotherapist.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS I CAN HAVE?

Each student can benefit from 12 sessions during their career at UCLL at the reduced rate mentioned earlier. These sessions can be taken up to 3 months after graduation or the end of your studies.

Even after these 12 sessions, you can of course continue to receive guidance from your psychologist/psychotherapist. Sometimes you need more than 12 sessions to feel better, to change, ... You then pay the full rate, i.e. €60-70 per session. 

If this is difficult for you or your parents to pay this amount, you can ask for financial intervention from the Social Services. Inform yourself about this with the student services on your campus or your psychologist/psychotherapist.

IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD BRING TO THE FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Definitely bring your student card and also don't forget to bring cash for the first session because it is not always and everywhere possible to pay with your bank card. 
At the end of the first appointment, agree on the best way to pay for subsequent sessions.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE FIRST SESSION?

The first session is always an exploratory one. This means that you can tell your story, and that the psychologist/psychotherapist explains his/her way of working.

WHAT IF THERE ISN'T A MATCH BETWEEN ME AND THE PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHOTHERAPIST?

It is very important that you feel comfortable with your psychologist/psychotherapist. If you notice that this is not the case - for whatever reason - do not hesitate to bring this up. Of course, you can let your psychologist/psychotherapist know and ask if you can talk to a colleague. 

If you find this difficult, contact your student services, or make an appointment yourself with another psychologist/psychotherapist. 

IS SUCH A CONVERSATION CONFIDENTIAL?

Your psychologist/psychotherapist is bound by professional secrecy. This means that everything that is said during the sessions remains between you. 
So he/she will never contact your parents, your family doctor, a teacher, an internship supervisor, ... without your prior consent. 
Don't be afraid that others will look at you differently, because they don't know!
Only when the psychologist/psychotherapist estimates that there is an acute danger can he or she contact the necessary authorities (e.g. police, hospital, ...).

Psychologists/psychotherapists also have shared professional confidentiality. This means that your psychologist/psychotherapist can discuss your situation and the course of the counseling with his or her colleagues if he or she feels that this will benefit you. Of course your name will not be mentioned. If you have any questions about this, be sure to speak to your psychologist/psychotherapist.

HOW LONG DOES SUCH A CONVERSATION TAKE?

A session usually lasts between 50 minutes and 60 minutes.

WHAT IF I CAN'T COME?

Have you scheduled an appointment but can't come? Notify your psychologist/psychotherapist as soon as possible and at least 48 hours in advance. That way, your appointment can still be given to someone else. 

If you do not let us know in time or if you simply do not show up, you will have to pay for the session and you will lose one of your 12 sessions.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SEE THE PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHOTHERAPIST?

The regularity of appointments depends on your process. Sometimes it is good to meet weekly, but every 2 weeks or more spread out is also possible. Review this with your psychologist/psychotherapist. 

AFTER HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I FEEL BETTER?

It is difficult to determine in advance how many sessions are needed. It depends on your question and situation, the intensity, the regularity of the appointments, the steps you are willing to take, the environmental factors, ... A few sessions are often necessary to get things moving, but that is certainly not always the case and does not apply to everyone. Sometimes one session can already mean a lot. Of course it is also possible that sessions are not enough to help you to feel better. In that case we will look at other options with you. 

WHERE CAN I INDICATE IF I AM (UN)SATISFIED WITH THE GUIDANCE?

Once a year, we send out a short questionnaire to all students who started individual counseling. With this anonymous questionnaire we gauge how you experienced the guidance. 

Of course you can also let your psychologist/psychotherapist know what you thought of it, contact your student services or send an email to eva.hendrickx@ucll.be.

OTHER QUESTIONS?

 Contact your student services department