a cup of coffee on a table next to a smartphone

UNI LIFE

Getting to Know Support Staff - Counselling Team

By RGrant 06 Oct 2021

thumbnail photos of the Counselling team

Prisca Coull

Job Title: Student Counsellor

How to Contact: counselling@rgu.ac.uk

Your Favourite Part of Your Role:

Helping others in their time of need.

Your Top Advice for Students:

Work hard and have fun.

Your Favourite Part of Aberdeen: The people and the surroundings.

Favourite film / book: Sound of Music

Favourite celebrity: Beyonce. She is beautiful and authentic.

Paula Pratt

Job Title: Student Counsellor

How to Contact: counselling@rgu.ac.uk

Your Favourite Part of Your Role:

Connecting with students in such an incredible relationship and being glad to support them in any way I can during their studies.

Your Top Advice for Students:

Be sure to relax and enjoy yourself, to prioritise self-care and wellbeing just as much as you study and work hard … it will help you be more effective in the long run and continue to be valuable as you go into the workplace.

Your Favourite Part of Aberdeen: Oooh, lots of places are special to me but in general I think it is bonniest on a sunny day when the granite sparkles and glitters.

Favourite film / book: The Crow Road by Iain Banks.

Favourite famous quote: “Treating yourself like a precious object will make you strong” - Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

Elina Zalkalne

Job Title: Student Counsellor

How to Contact: counselling@rgu.ac.uk

Your Favourite Part of Your Role:

Sharing the therapy space with my clients, and supporting them on their wellbeing journey.

Your Top Advice for Students:

Speak your truth even if your voice shakes.

Your Favourite Part of Aberdeen: Footdee and watching the sunrise from the top of Broad Hill.

Favourite film / book: The Harry Potter series are like a soft comfort blanket to return to time and time again.

Favourite famous quote: “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Favourite celebrity: Malala – risking her life for the right to her education and freedom is an inspiration to keep learning, striving for equality and speaking up even when others may not understand.