This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on increasing retention rates in higher degree students. It presents evidence from the literature on the value of increasing counselling and mentoring care for higher degree research students. The creation of, and rationale for, a designated higher degree student counsellor-mentor role is described. The role of a counselling-trained mentor is one that combines elements of counselling, mentoring, organisational and social support for both higher degree research students and supervisors. The creation of this role is proposed as a means of increasing student satisfaction and retention. (Contains 2 figures.)