University Counseling Services (UCS) at American University of Sharjah provides psychological support to students, faculty, staff and their families as they pursue their personal goals, and to enhance the quality of each community member’s experience at AUS. We aim to support the healthy environment of the university by promoting positive mental health for the community through counseling, crisis intervention, consulting, assessment and referral that are responsive to the individual, cultural and demographic diversity of our community.

Services for Students

University Counseling Services (UCS) provides psychological services that are designed to help students achieve their educational goals, learn the process of problem solving and decision making, develop the capacity for satisfying relationships, and learn to make full use of their potential for continued growth beyond their educational experience. Services at  UCS can include any member of the student's family or significant person that the student wishes to include in the process.

Individual Counseling

Counselors at UCS help students explore any academic or personal problems or concerns that they may be experiencing. Some common issues that bring students to UCS include adjusting to university life, time management issues, confusion about life or career goals, identity concerns, relationship conflicts, confusion about intimacy, sexual values, eating issues, anxiety, depression or dealing with grief and loss.

Our counselors are prepared to deal with a multitude of issues or concerns and encourage students to identify personal goals and help them develop coping skills and generate solutions to current difficulties. Students may receive help for any social, emotional, educational or vocational issues. Students who have been counseled at home or off-campus may also wish to continue with counseling at the university.

Self-Help Resources

We have extensive self-help resources in the form of written handouts, books and videos on many topics. Examples of topics include coping with stress, depression, sleep disturbance, loneliness, anxiety, eating disorders, grief and loss, substance abuse, relationship building, assertiveness, career and course choices, study skills, concentration and memory, motivation, time management and test-taking strategies. These resources are useful in helping students understand issues they are facing and are often used alongside individual counseling. We have a wealth of self-help handouts, brochures and flyers on topics related to student life and more.

We maintain a self-help library, which is a resource library of books, pamphlets and audio, video and computer-based information. Self-help resources are available on topics such as reducing stress, improving academic skills, developing healthy relationships, managing money, developing your career and more. Students can always visit the center and look at some of the self-help books and enjoy the quiet reading room.

Student Workshops

A number of workshops are available to AUS students throughout the academic year. These cover diverse topics including time management, study skills, communication skills, anxiety and stress management, anger management, alcohol and drugs, eating and body image concerns and more. Workshop topics and timings are advertised around campus, or students can call and inquire about future workshops. We welcome student's input, and students are encouraged to contact the UCS with their ideas for future workshops.

Consultation Service

Private consultation is available for faculty, staff and students who would like advice about how to assist a student through a difficult time. Our counselors give advice on how to help the individual or refer them to an appropriate service.

Couples Counseling

Couples may seek marital, premarital, divorce, sexual adjustment or alternative lifestyle counseling. Counseling is available to the student and his/her partner.

Group Counseling

In group counseling, a small number of people meet together with one or two of our psychologists to help themselves and one another. Joining a group provides opportunities to learn with and from other people, to understand one's own patterns of thought and behavior and those of others, and to perceive how group members react to one another. Groups offer a supportive and stimulating environment for personal development, relationship building and skill improvement. Typical groups cover such themes as assertiveness training, eating disorders, adult children of dysfunctional families, survivors of sexual abuse and relationships.

Family Counseling

We are available for consultation with parents by phone or by appointment. We invite parents to call if they have concerns about their son or daughter. Parents frequently have questions about the specific services we provide that may be beneficial to their child at AUS. We can also help parents secure referrals to services outside of AUS for their sons and daughters.

Crisis Management

A counselor is available for a student in crisis, (suffering from suicidal tendencies, psychosis, death of a loved one or the like) and can provide same-day services, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Students, faculty/staff and parents can contact our office to consult about a student who might be in crisis.

Psychiatric and Medical Referral

Clients who require more intensive or specialized services or those with long-term psychiatric conditions will be referred to the appropriate outside mental health providers. The UCC does not prescribe or monitor psychotropic or any other medications.