GÉRALDINE DUFOUR
Therapeutic Consultations Ltd
Universities & colleges
Over 20 years of HE expertise
As a leader in the field of student mental health and wellbeing, I bring over 20 years’ experience of working in university services, most recently as head of counselling at the University of Cambridge. Chair of national executive committees and founding member of national research groups in student mental health and counselling, I bring an expert understanding of the sector to my work, having collaborated with many institutions since setting up my practice in 2021. I can help your university too through:
CONSULTANCY
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Reviewing student mental health and wellbeing services across your institution
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Developing student support services or out-of-hour provision
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Offering culturally appropriate services
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Improving strategy across student wellbeing services
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Recruiting and selecting student mental health, counselling and wellbeing staff
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Supporting your teams while you recruit for specialist managers
TRAINING
Improving the skillset of student services, pastoral and academic staff through specialist HE trainings
Follow this link to find out more about these trainings
SUPERVISION & REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
Preventing staff burnout, improving practice across services, demonstrating quality assurance and governance by offering structured supervision so that staff can:
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Think through operational and clinical issues
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Explore complex clinical and management matters
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Address organisational and clinical challenges
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Debrief after challenging situations
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Manage the pressure and stress of their roles
SUPPORTING STAFF THROUGH:
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Specialist HE clinical Supervision for mental health practitioners and therapists
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Reflective practice supervision for wellbeing, welfare, disability, EDI or student support staff and advisors
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Reflecting practice supervision for research staff to help them process and manage the emotions that arise due to the sensitive nature of projects (suicide, trauma, violence…)
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Clinical consultations on challenging situations
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ORGANISATIONAL SUPERVISION & MENTORING
Having created a mentoring scheme for HUCS (Heads of University Counselling Services), supporting over 35 heads of university counselling services, I frequently work with new heads of services.
SECTOR LEADING ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE
At the University of Cambridge:
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A pioneering programme of mindfulness practice adopted in other institutions globally
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The first role of specialist support Sexual Assault and Harassment Adviser (SAHA) in the UK
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A BAME counselling scheme developed in collaboration with the Student Union, presented at national level
Nationally:
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Contributing to best practice and research in the field of student counselling and mental health through professional writing and specialist training
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Editing best-practice guidance for the University and College counselling sector
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Founding member of two research groups on student mental health
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Creating a mentoring scheme for heads of university counselling services
Key roles:​
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Vice-Chair – Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education expert group (MWBHE) at Advance HE
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Associate executive on the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Expert Community Guidance and Counselling
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Strategy advisor – global universities in China
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Chair of Academic Committee of China-UK University Counselling Association
Former roles
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Head of Counselling, Cambridge University, overseeing a team of over 40 staff
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Past Chair, Strategy Advisor and Executive Committee Member of the BACP Universities & Colleges Division
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Past Chair and Member of the Executive Committee of the national group for Heads of University Counselling Services (HUCS)
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Member of the Education Transitions Network Department for Education
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Member of UUK Task Group: Mental Health in Higher Education Consent for Disclosure
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Mental Health Foundation development board committee
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Advisor - Alliance for Student-Led Wellbeing
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Student Counselling Service Manager, Birmingham City University
CONSULTANCY
FEES
On application
In addition, I charge travel and accommodation,
where required, when working away from Cambridge.
TESTIMONIALS
“I worked closely with Geraldine on the review of our Student Wellbeing Service structure and her expertise and insight were invaluable. Geraldine has also provided specialist support to a professional team within the Service which has supported their professional development and their ability to deliver an excellent student support service.”
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Head of Student Wellbeing Service