Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Welcome
A warm welcome to your Counselling programme of studies.
We are very much looking forward to working with you and we hope that you feel very much supported and at home here at Birmingham Newman University and on your new programme of study.
Please feel comfortable to approach any member of the teaching team for support and guidance and particularly as you settle in to university life.
Remember – every question is a valid one so please ask.
Semester 1
Week beginning 22 September 2025
- Monday
- 9am to 10am
- 11am to 1pm
- 2pm to 5pm
- Tuesday
- 10am to 1pm
Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.
We would like you to keep up to date with societal issues in current affairs by reading high-quality e-newspapers such as The Guardian or The Independent, and formulating your views on news stories about counselling, mental health, education, society, or cultural matters (topics such as: poverty, discrimination, housing and education etc.).
Think about (and keep a journal if you want to) your reactions to such stories; how did the stories make you feel and why? And try to consider why you might have had the reaction you did. What has influenced your view of those topics in the media?
- Thursday 18 September 2025
- 12:30pm to 4pm
- Room HI102
Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.
Members of our Team include:
- Dr Faisal Mahmood – Head of Subject
- Dr Steve Roberts – Senior Lecturer
- Lind Luckhurst – Senior Lecturer
- Emily Evans – Senior Lecturer
- Dr James Sedgewick – Senior Lecturer
- Rebekah Woodhouse – Senior Lecturer
- Cassie Rowland – Lecturer
- Kathryn Broome – Lecturer
- Sam Gallo – Senior Lecturer
- Karen Lee – Senior Lecturer
Not only do the team teach counselling and psychotherapy at both Undergraduate level and Postgraduate level they also work with clients in Practice and this informs our teaching, ensuring that we are very much up to date and current with our case studies and practice.
- Humanistic Counselling (COU422) – Mondays: 9am to 10am and 11am to 1pm
- Human Development (COU424) – Tuesdays: 10am to 1pm
- Counselling professions and academic practice (COU421) – Fridays: 2pm to 5pm
Teaching will include a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Module COU422 will have a counselling skills practice element which involves small groups of students practicing counselling and listening skills.
HeadStart – Monday 1 to Friday 5 September 2025
Headstart is a programme aimed at introducing our new students to University life. We understand that our students come from all walks of life and have personal and individual aspirations for taking this important step in their journey.
This programme is an opportunity to:
- Talk to staff before starting university
- Meet other students
- Understand and navigate the campus
- Find out about the support available
- Start getting comfortable with university life
Welcome Week Services Fair – Your Chance to Meet the Teams!
As part of your induction to Birmingham Newman University, our Services Fair is your opportunity to meet the teams who will support you throughout your studies and explore the services available to help you succeed.
Dates & Times
- 1 September – 11am – 2pm
- 4 & 5 September – 11:30am to 1pm
- 15, 17, 18 & 19 September – 11am to 2pm
Note: The Students’ Union Welcome Fair will take place on 16 September – see their website for more details.
You’re welcome to drop in and take part on any of the fair dates — it doesn’t have to be the day of your induction.
- Chat with Careers about your future plans, grab some sweets and an employability bag, and register on My Career for a chance to win a £25 Amazon voucher.
- Make a badge with our Environmental Officer, download the OurNewman app to spin the wheel and win a prize, and join the Library for Q&A activities and their Prize Every Time Lucky Dip.
- Advice & Wellbeing will be offering stress tests, sound therapy, and an Affirmation Station, while E-Learning invites you to take their “Who You Gonna Call?” quiz for a prize draw entry.
- Try the Sport team’s exercise bike challenge and visit the Chaplaincy to choose the “word of the day” and share some positivity.
And that’s just the start — there’ll be many more services, activities, and opportunities to explore each day of the fair. Come along, get involved, and make the most of what’s on offer!
The Disability & Inclusion team and the Advice & Wellbeing team will be holding drop-in sessions on campus from 15–19 September.
- 15 September – 11am to 2pm: DW102 (Dimple – Disability & Inclusion)
- 16 September – 11am to 2pm: DW101 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 17 September – 11am to 2pm: DW102 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 18 September – 11am to 2pm: CH116 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 19 September – 11am to 2pm: CH004 (Dimple – Disability & Inclusion)
No appointment needed – just drop in for advice, support, and guidance.
Key information
Induction
- Thursday 18 September 2025
Teaching starts
- Week beginning: 22 September 2025
Subject Leader
- Dr Bill Naylor MNCPS (Acc.), SFHEA
Contact details
- e: b.naylor@staff.newman.ac.uk
- t: 0121 3874467
- a: Oxford Building Room: OX201
