Rationale for these guidelines
These guidelines are for the personal protection of both client and UL Counselling and Wellbeing team member*, by providing instructions for how to professionally interact online**/on the phone. This type of online etiquette is termed “netiquette”.
Session terms
Online and phone therapy can only be offered to students residing within the EU, for indemnity puposes.
The UL counselling team will engage in their work throughout their normal working hours during the week.
All session times refer to Greenwich Mean-Time (GMT).
Due to cost, international calls are not possible, but Microsoft Teams is available in both audio and visual formats.
Prior to setting you up with a team member, a next of kin or trusted contact person must be named and their telephone contact number provided in the registration form sent to you. UL Counselling and Wellbeing team will only use that contact should you (the client) be considered at risk by a team member. We will always talk to you prior to contacting your named person.
You do not have to agree to phone or online support. You are welcome to decline this support. However, should you engage in such support you are demonstrating that you have agreed to do so. Should you change your mind about wanting to work in such a way, please talk to your assigned team member about this. If you feel you cannot do that, please email counselling@ul.ie to inform us that you no longer wish to engage in support this way.
Phone and online support requires you to use your words. This is more important than in face-to-face support because we cannot read your emotions over the phone, unless you communicate it to us. This is a condition of our support.
Systems employed
We can engage in online support via: Microsoft Teams or Phone. These are each outlined below.
Microsoft Teams
UL uses Microsoft Teams to engage students in online visual support. This will take place between you and the team member via both party’s UL email account only. Please keep an eye on your UL emails and UL Microsoft calendar, as the team member will set up the sessions by inviting you to click on a Microsoft Teams link via email.
Phone
If you do not have a way of engaging with online support or if you feel it doesn’t suit you, you are welcome to engage in support over Microsoft Teams audio.