Counselling Services

Mental health crisis support

Get help at any time if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or at risk of harming yourself or others.

If you're a Vancouver resident, you can connect with the Access and Assessment Centre between 7:30 am and 9:30 pm for walk-in services, or 7:30 am to 10:00 pm by phone.

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or chat online with a crisis responder at any time.

Browse wellness ideas to help you manage distress while you are connecting to the support options listed above.

About Counselling Services

Students seek support through Counselling Services for a variety of reasons. They may be feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or notice that their mental health is declining. They may also need some help with decision-making, navigating family and social relationships, coping with grief and loss, or adjusting to major life transitions.

How it works

1Book an appointment

If you're in British Columbia (BC), call Counselling Services at 604 822 3811 to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment, offered Mondays to Fridays. First-time appointments are booked for the same day and arranged on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can also connect with the embedded counsellor in your faculty, who can provide support for concerns that students in your program commonly experience.

If you're outside of BC, there are other free counselling and health resources available. Get a list of support options specific to your location and needs with the Finding health support online tool.

There may be delays due to call volumes that are higher than usual. If you choose to leave a voice message, please speak clearly and leave the following information, as this will help us to return your call:

  • Name
  • Student number
  • Phone number
  • Faculty

Calls will be returned as soon as possible. You are welcome to call back and speak to the front desk directly.  When we return your call, we will be calling from an unidentified number. To protect your privacy, we will not leave voicemails unless we have your written permission.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All of UBC’s health professionals are committed to keeping your visit and concerns completely private and confidential.

Information about you and your health can only be shared with your permission, or when safety concerns or legal requirements arise.

If you have any questions about confidentiality, please ask during your appointment.

2Get connected to the level of support that meets your needs

an adviser with a student

UBC Counselling Services uses a brief, intentional counselling model to address mental health concerns. After you share your information, the staff will connect you to the support option most suitable for your situation.

Wellness Advising

In a Wellness Advising appointment, you will meet with a registered mental healthcare provider who will listen to your concern and connect you to the most appropriate level of care in a timely way. Counselling Services can help you book an in-person or virtual 45-minute, same-day appointment that will focus on assessment and wellness planning. You may be connected to self-directed resources, workshops, life coaching, group therapy, brief counselling, or medical care.

Drop-in, Single-session Counselling

Many students find that a single counselling session can help them move forward in a positive direction. Drop-in Counselling appointments with a registered mental healthcare provider are best if you feel your concern could be met in one session. You can book additional drop-in appointments, but it may not be with the same counsellor. If this sounds like the right appointment for you, Counselling Services can schedule an in-person or virtual 45-minute, same-day appointment to help you focus on your strengths and identify helpful perspectives and/or strategies.

Group Counselling

If a group counselling program is the right option for you, it will be offered as an opportunity for you to learn new skills, connect with other students, and share your experiences about what is helpful in a confidential, safe space.

Brief Counselling

Counselling Services also offers brief, intentional individual counselling with registered mental health providers to help you cope with a wide variety of concerns. If it seems like you may benefit from more specialized or longer-term support, or psychiatric or medically supervised care, Counselling Services can help you connect to appropriate resources and referrals.

3After your appointment

Vector illustration of a form

If you've visited or booked an appointment with Counselling Services, you can share feedback about your experience online or by contacting the reception at 604 822 3811.

Submit feedback

4Additional support beyond UBC Counselling Services

Vector illustration of phone and paper form with resources

UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Get free 24/7 counselling and life coaching service from the Student Assistance Program. Counselling is offered in multiple languages and can be accessed anywhere in the world by phone, video, and more.

AMS/GSS student health benefits

If you are registered with the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan, you have up to 100% coverage of the cost towards psychotherapy services from a licensed psychologist, registered clinical counsellor, or a therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work.

You can submit your receipts from counselling or therapy services and claim up to $1,250 per policy year. Review the health benefit details and use the Pacific Blue Cross website to enter your claims.

Support for equity-deserving students

At UBC Counselling Services, we respect that students have unique personalities, cultures, and experiences. Many of our staff identify as BIPOC and we strive to bring a multicultural, anti-oppressive, social-justice orientation to the counselling process.

As counsellors, we value and respectfully recognize Indigenous history, culture, traditional values, stories, the lands we work on, and healing practices that support wellbeing alongside the use of Western therapies.

If you’re an Indigenous student within British Columbia, we can offer you various options, such as arranging for a virtual appointment with an Indigenous counsellor. Indigenous self-identification is not used for any purpose other than to support you better.

Mental health resources

24/7 Support

If you need to talk to a health professional

  • UBC Student Assistance Program (UBC SAP)
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Receive free, 24/7 crisis counselling by phone, video counselling, and more.
  • Here2Talk
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Get started with free, 24/7 single-session counselling by phone or online chat for all UBC students, no matter where you are in the world.
  • Crisis Centre BC
    Accessible in British Columbia
    If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or chat online with a crisis responder any time.
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Receive online and phone counselling and crisis support.

On-campus support

  • Student Health Service
    Accessible in British Columbia
    Book a telehealth or in-person appointment with a doctor or nurse for help with your health concerns. Appointments may be booked online or by phone. 
  • Wellness Centre
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Ask the Info Desk for health-related resources, learn about health topics online through the Canvas course, and explore tips and strategies to support your wellbeing.
  • Nurse on Campus
    Accessible within UBC Vancouver campus
    Visit a registered nurse during drop-in hours for confidential, free, and in-person support.

Online self-help tools

  • Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Manage your well-being with tools on stress, relationship problems, substance use, and more. Register with a UBC email, which you can set up for free.
  • Wellness Together Canada
    Accessible anywhere in the world
    Complete a free mental health online assessment and connect to online wellness resources or get counselling if you’re Canadian by phone, text, or video.
  • MindHealth BC
    Accessible in British Columbia
    Take an online assessment and find resources to support your mental health.

Counselling practicum and internship training

UBC Counselling Services offers doctoral internship and practicum placements to students in graduate counsellor training programs. The internship and practicum are high-quality, personalized training experiences in an open, collegial atmosphere that promotes self-exploration and growth.