Staff Counselling Service

Monica Larkin is the staff counsellor but she is away from the office at the current time. An interim service FIRSTcall, provided by ICAS (Independent Counselling and Advisory Services Ltd), has been set up in her absence. If you want to make a face-to-face appointment, please call 0800 072 7072.

Download the leaflet about ICAS FIRSTcall [PDF].

The following frequently asked questions provide a guide to the Staff Counselling Service at LSE.

1. Why have a Staff Counselling Service at LSE?
2. How do I make an appointment?
3. Where is the staff counsellor?
4. What is the cost of receiving counselling?
5. How many sessions are offered?
6. What about confidentiality?
7. Who is the staff counsellor?

1. Why have a Staff Counselling Service at LSE?
   The London School of Economics has a commitment to valuing and supporting its staff. The Staff Counselling Service was set up in January 2001 to contribute to that support and offers individual counselling to any employee of the School.
   
   
2. How do I make an appointment?
   Monica Larkin is currently away, see note at top of page for who to call until further notice [2008]
   Phone extension 6216 or email m.larkin@lse.ac.uk. This service is available over 17.5 hours a week and you may find telephone calls answered by voice mail - please do leave a message and the counsellor will respond discreetly.
   
   
3. Where is the staff counsellor?
   The staff counsellor is located in room Y21 of the South block of St. Phillips Building.
   
   
4. What is the cost of receiving counselling?
   Counselling sessions are free to all members of LSE staff.
   
   
5. How many sessions are offered?
   Most people are seen for six sessions. Sessions last between 50 and 60 minutes. Some staff receive more than six sessions and some less. Some staff return for more counselling at a later date.
   
   
6. What about confidentiality?
   The service is confidential and therefore your identity and anything that you discuss with the counsellor will not be shared with anyone outside of the LSE Staff Counselling Service.
   

   The counsellor has an external supervisor but your identity would not be revealed and your confidentiality preserved.
   
   

   • Your manager does not need to know that you are receiving counselling.
   • Staff may receive counselling during work and within lunch-hours.
   • Managers are usually supportive about their staff using the Staff Counselling Service.
   • Your managers will not be told that you are receiving counselling and you do not have to tell them.
   • Sometimes Human Resources or a manager will suggest that seeing the counsellor may help an individual.
   • However, the majority of staff contacts the Staff Counselling Service themselves.

   
   

7. Who is the staff counsellor?
   Monica Larkin set up the Staff Counselling Service in January 2001. Monica is available on ext 6216 or m.larkin@lse.ac.uk  - Monica is currently away and a new system is in place during this period, see note at top of page about FIRSTcall [October 2007]

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