The following resources have all been used by the Counselling Service. They may be
helpful when thinking about any challenges that you may be facing and what you can
do to address these.
The list below is not intended to be a reading list and is by no means definitive. Some
resources may be more helpful than others as different resources suit different
individuals. Be selective in what you choose and try to read in depth rather than skim
reading. Take time to digest what you choose to read. The listed resources include
books (self-help and non-self-help), self-help literature, films, links to other services,
phone apps and links to websites. The Counselling Service is not responsible for the
content displayed on external websites.
SEE ALSO
Making an appointment (/st
udents/welfare/counselling/appoint
ment)
Academic performance
Workshops (/students/welfare/co
unselling/workshops)
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
(//WWW.OX.AC.UK/STUDENTS/WE
LFARE/COUNSELLING/APPOINTME
NT)
Contact us
Counselling Service
3 Worcester Street
Oxford OX12BX
01865 270300
counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk
work out when to write, for how long, and how often,
(mailto:counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk)
Opening hours
During term (Weeks 0-9)
reception is open 09:0017:00, Monday-Friday.
For pre-arranged
appointments the Service
remains open until 20:00,
Monday-Thursday.
LATEST NEWS ON
TWITTER
(https://twitter.com/UniofOxfordSI)
Anger management
Centre
Assertiveness
Bereavement
Centre
.
Help!: How to become slightly happier and get a
bit more done
Oliver Burkeman: Cannongate Books (2011)
Chapter three How to win friends and influence
people is a very useful chapter of a very useful book.
NHS self-help leaflets
Provides a selection of highly readable and helpful
self-help leaflets (http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/) on
various topics created by Northumberland, Tyne and
Wear NHS Trust. The leaflets are written from a
cognitive behavioural therapy perspective and provide
information, exercises and further help.
Depression
Feeling good
David Burns: Avon (2000)
The central idea is that depression comes from
distorted thinking. A list of common distortions is
presented. Common-sense, accessible style.
Overcoming depression
Paul Gilbert: Robinson Publishing (2000)
Provides step-by-step strategies and simple
techniques. Suggests that depression is often triggered
and maintained by negative thoughts and helps
identify such depressing thoughts and substitute more
realistic alternatives.
Managing depression
David Westbrook: OCTC (Booklet available from
Counselling Service reception)
Information and cognitive self-help advice for people
who are depressed. Rated five stars by the Centre for
Evidence-Based Mental Health.
Back from the bluez
Back from the bluez guide
(http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm) :
Centre
Disability
Finding Melissa
This is the personal blog of a recovered anorexic. A rich
resource, informative and inspiring. Highly
recommended by experts in treating the disorder as
well as by those affected by eating disorders. Visit
Finding Melissa (http://www.findingmelissa.co.uk/) website.
NHS self-help leaflets
Provides a selection of highly readable and helpful
self-help leaflets (http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/) on
various topics created by Northumberland, Tyne and
Wear NHS trust. The leaflets are written from a
cognitive behavioural therapy perspective and provide
information, exercises and further help.
exercises.
Please also see the ACT books in the section General
resources: Developing insight and understanding.
Headspace
A really helpful website and smart phone app set that
has a series of short mindfulness and meditation
exercises. This headspace website
(http://www.headspace.com/) and
free meditation
Perfectionism in perspective
Overcoming perfectionism
Roz Shafran, Sarah Egan and Tracey Wade: Robinson
(2010)
Based on principles of cognitive behavioural therapy,
aims to help you break the vicious circle of never good
enough.
Post-traumatic stress
Self-esteem
Building self-esteem
Helen Jenkins and Melanie Fennell
Booklet available from Counselling Service reception.
A cognitive-behavioural approach to understanding
and overcoming low self-esteem, including detailed
advice on how self-help strategies can be used to build
self-esteem.
Improving self-esteem
A cognitive behaviour therapy self-help course which
provides information about low self-esteem - how it
develops, how it is maintained, and how to address this
problem. Organised into modules that are designed to
be worked through in sequence. Each module includes
information, worksheets, and suggested exercises or
activities. Visit the Improve self-esteem guide
(http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm) .
Self-harm
The film is 9 to
Center
Sleep
Wellbeing podcasts
Here you will find a link to the Mental Health
Foundations podcasts (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/helpinformation/podcasts/) including
exercises.
The sleep solution: Improve your sleep, health and
quality of life - from tonight
Nigel Ball and Nick Hough: Vermilion (1999)
Information about normal sleep rhythms, what can
disturb them, and how adjustments to your lifestyle
can bring improvements in the quality of sleep and
health. It provides guidelines for monitoring and
improving your sleep patterns, a symptoms guide and
information about drugs and sleeping aids.
Peaceful sleep: A practical guide to stress-free days
and tranquil nights
Jan Sadler: Gateway (1999)
The peaceful sleep bedtime routine. This well-proven
method combines self-help techniques to use during
the day with a unique relaxation and imaginative
visualisation procedure at night.
NHS self-help leaflets
Provides a selection of highly readable and helpful
self-help leaflets (http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/) on
various topics created by Northumberland, Tyne and
Wear NHS Trust. The leaflets are written from a
cognitive behavioural therapy perspective and provide
information, exercises and further help.
relaxation exercises.
Relax and unwind: A new positive approach
Jenni Adams: David & Charles PLC (1992)
Adopts a positive attitude and aims to provide
imaginative solutions to the common problems arising
from todays lifestyles.
The relaxation and stress reduction workbook
Martha Davis et. al.: New Harbinger Publications
(2008)
Effective stress management and relaxation techniques
and exercises. There is a chapter on worry control and
another on coping with anger-provoking situations.
The daily relaxer
Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning: New Harbinger
Publications (1997)
How to locate stress in bodies and offers forty-five
easy-to-master techniques designed to alleviate stress
and prevent daily worries from growing into major
sources of anxiety and pain.
How to relax
Rachel Norris and Christine Kuchemann
Cassette tape available from Oxford Cognitive Therapy
Centre. A basic package, consisting of a relaxation tape
and an instruction sheet, which guides the user
through a series of relaxation exercises.
NHS self-help leaflets
Provides a selection of highly readable and helpful
self-help leaflets (http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/) on
various topics created by Northumberland, Tyne and
Wear NHS Trust. The leaflets are written from a
cognitive behavioural therapy perspective and provide
information, exercises and further help.
Suicidal feelings
Includes a template
Time management
website.
Overcoming procrastination
Andrea Perry: Worth Publishing (2002)
A new and useful diagnostic tool to help identify where
and how you have become stuck, and offers a wealth of