Some frequently asked questions...How is the Counselling Service different from the Mental Health Service?The Mental Health Service is staffed primarily by psychiatrists (there are also psychologists and therapists on staff) who are medical doctors with specialized training in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and in prescribing psychopharmacological medications. While counsellors, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists all work with individuals who experience problems with daily functioning due to psychological and emotional difficulties, psychiatrists tend to see people who are more severely impaired or individuals who may benefit from the use of medication. If you are uncertain whether Counselling or Mental Health is best suited to your needs, an Intake Counsellor (Monday to Friday: 12 to 4 p.m.) will help you assess your personal situation. What is the counselling process about?Trained and experienced in dealing with the broad scope of difficulties encountered by university students, the professional staff counsellors and psychologists of the Counselling Service emphasize a client's strength and capacity for change. The counselling process works to enhance a student's ability to solve problems, make decisions, and cope more effectively with life's major stressors and daily demands. Counselling further emphasizes a holistic view of the individual, giving attention to the "person-environment" interaction and recognizing that each individual is composed of varied facets – physical, psychological, social and spiritual – with each of these facets requiring attention and balance in order for individuals to live life fully and with satisfaction. When is the Counselling Service open?The Service is open Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Do you have a "crisis" service?If a student comes to the Service in crisis, they will be seen by the on-call counsellor at the first opportunity (a short wait may be necessary). The on-call counsellor will see the student for 10-15 minutes and a subsequent appointment or referral may be made at that time. How much does counselling cost?Counselling is free to all full-time and part-time students paying student service fees. The only potential cost is a test material charge levied on students who complete the Strong interest Inventory or the Meyer-Briggs Type Indicator as part of their vocational counselling process. Is counselling confidential?Yes. Unless required by law, anything discussed in Counselling remains confidential. Parents, professors, administrators and others are not provided with any information regarding a student in counselling unless the student provides written authorization for release of specified information. What can I expect when I come in for an initial "intake" session?The Counselling Service has intake hours (no-appointment necessary) Monday to Friday between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. from September until the end of May. (Starting June 1st, please call 398-3601 for our summer intake hours). Intake sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and consist of a brief (20 minute) meeting with a counsellor or psychologist to determine how we can best be of help to you. During busy periods intake is sometimes ‘full' when you arrive and you may be asked to return the following day. What kinds of concerns do students who use the Counselling Service usually have?Concerns are wide-ranging. Students discuss personal issues such as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, sexuality, relationships, family, etc. They also discuss academic issues such as exam anxiety, procrastination, motivation, study skills and time management. Students may also have career concerns related to vocational interests and decision making. In effect, the issues raised by students cover the scope of human experience. Can I choose to see a female or male counsellor?Yes. Both female and male counsellors are available. You can let the intake counsellor know if you have a preference. Both male and female counsellors are also available to students who would prefer to speak in French. Students are sometimes seen by graduate students doing their field placement at the Counselling Service. What kind of training do they have?Master's and Ph.D. students completing their practicum or internship requirements with the Counselling Service are in the final stages of their training. They have been carefully selected, and are closely supervised by staff members of the Counselling Service and professors in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology. I've been told that Counselling will give me a letter to get extensions on papers and defer my exams. Is that true?No, I'm afraid it isn't. Counsellors will write a letter for students but only within certain parameters. A student who has been involved in counselling prior to exams or deadlines may receive a letter from a counsellor outlining the situation or circumstances that have contributed to their academic difficulties. Letters are not normally written after the fact (i.e. a request for a letter after a deadline has been missed) if the counsellor has no prior knowledge of the circumstances leading up to the difficulty. In any case, letters from Counselling do not relieve students of their academic responsibilities. It is professors and deans who make decisions regarding course requirements and grades. The purpose of a letter is to assist professors and deans in understanding the psychological and emotional factors that may have interfered with a student's ability to complete assignments or prepare for exams. How do I know I will benefit from meeting with a counsellor?As in all things, there are no absolute guarantees. Counselling is not a magic cure, and there is generally no quick fix to many of life's concerns and problems. What can and often does take place in Counselling is an opportunity for individuals to discuss their concerns and issues in a relaxed and confidential atmosphere with an interested and objective professional. A counsellor will listen to, reflect, and clarify your concerns while providing empathy, support, encouragement and possibly advice, should the occasion warrant it. Not everyone benefits from counselling, but thousands of students have found it helpful in dealing with the academic, personal and social challenges of university life.
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