UBC Counselling Services is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
Students seek support through Counselling Services for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, this might include requests for support with decision-making, navigating family and social relationships or major life transitions.
UBC Counselling staff will get to know you and work with you to find out what support options might work best for you, in your unique situation. Sometimes students are looking for information, or resources to support them. Other times, a single counselling session is enough to give students a new perspective and find a way forward. Sometimes a group therapy program or a brief course of individual counselling sessions would be most helpful.
All UBC counselling services staff respect that students have unique personalities, cultures, and experiences. We strive to bring a multicultural, anti-oppressive, social-justice orientation to the counselling process and many of our staff identify as BIPOC.
Wellness Advising appointment
Available to students in British Columbia, virtually as well as in-person, these 20 to 30-minute appointments with Wellness Advisors who are registered clinical counsellors focus on assessment and wellness planning that connects you to the level of support that best meets your needs. This could include self-directed resources, workshops, life coaching, group therapy, brief counselling, or medical care.
Learn how to book an appointment.
Same-day, single-session counselling
Many students find that a single counselling session can help them move forward in a positive direction. Available to students in British Columbia, these 45-minute same-day appointments are virtually available as well as in-person and are goal-directed, focusing on strengths and identifying helpful perspectives and/or strategies.
Learn how to book an appointment.
Group counselling programs
Group counselling is as effective as individual therapy for concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and more. It can also benefit you in different ways such as being connected with other students who are going through a similar experience. Learn about the current groups offered and how to register for them.
Individual counselling
Students can access individual counselling for a wide variety of mental health concerns, both virtually and in-person, through these different pathways:
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UBC Counselling Services uses a brief, intentional counselling model to address mental health concerns. Typically, a wellness advising appointment is the first step to assess whether individual counselling is likely to help you in moving towards your goals. Your concerns are important to us and we encourage you to reach out for support. If it seems like you may benefit from more specialized or longer-term support services, we will help you connect with appropriate resources in the community. Learn how to book an appointment.
- The UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP) offers free, 24/7 counselling.
- Use your AMS/GSS Student Health Benefits towards counselling fees.
Indigenous students support
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 and you self-identify as Indigenous, we can offer you various support options like arranging for a virtual appointment with an Indigenous counsellor. Indigenous self-identification is not used for any purpose other than to support you better.
Learn how to book an appointment.
Embedded Counselling Program
A counsellor who is embedded within a faculty or department can help you navigate the full range of mental health services that are available to you. Embedded counsellors can meet with you to find out more about your particular concerns and collaboratively make a wellness plan that is right for you. They also provide workshops and outreach support tailored specifically to the concerns that students in their faculties commonly experience.
