Counselling
Counselling Services offers confidential, short term help to students dealing with personal, relational or mental health concerns.
We're located on the fifth floor of Dalton Hall.
studentserv@upei.ca
(902) 566-0488
Who goes to counselling?
In many ways, the ideal answer is, “everybody!” Like most of the people at Student Affairs (and throughout the campus), our job in counselling is to help you, as a student, have the most successful academic career you can. So if you are ever concerned that things aren’t going as well as they could, or you’re contemplating a big decision and would like to talk it over with someone - then we’d love to hear from you! Although we’d be happy to help with whatever concern you bring with you (and sometimes that help just means pointing you to the right resource), our work can generally be broken down as personal counselling, advocacy and consulting.
What is covered by "personal counselling"?
- Counselling and psychotherapy for personal (for example, relationship breakup) and clinical issues (for example, depression).
- Addresses diverse concerns, including anxiety, crisis, depression, abuse, relationship difficulties, drug and alcohol concerns, eating disorders, self-harm, and self-esteem.
- Inclusive service allowing focus on all dimensions of life: physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual.
- Advocacy: assistance for students navigating administrative and bureaucratic structures both within and outside the University.
What kind of consulting do you do?
- Concerns about the well-being of a student or group of students can be brought to our counsellors. This service is available to staff, faculty, administrators, and even other students and parents.
- Staff are available to make presentations and to consult with groups, such as classes, residence communities, and academic departments.
Referrals
- Students can access our service without a referral. We can also arrange for referrals to external, community-based resources when needed.
Who will know I’m coming to counselling?
- The staff at Student Affairs take your privacy and right to confidentiality very seriously. We don’t discuss a client’s case with anyone without first clearing through you.
When can I come in?
Our services are generally available by appointment year-round, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. You can make an appointment to see a counsellor by calling us.
Appointments and hours of operation
Our hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–4:00 pm.
Appointments are generally booked Monday to Friday at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am; and, at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
Who can use counselling?
All registered students at UPEI can access counselling services. Our counsellors will be happy to meet with students with any issues that are getting in the way of the university experience they want to have. Frequently addressed issues, and possible resources are available here.
Scope of service
Counselling services at UPEI has a mandate to provide brief, solution focused interventions to individual students. While many students are helped with only a few sessions (many are satisfied with what they achieve in one session), students may access up to 8 sessions in one academic year. If counselling identifies concerns or issues requiring more time or specific expertise not possessed by the counsellor, a student will be supported through a referral process. Brief extensions to the session cap are assessed on a case-by-case evaluation by the whole counselling team of what goals will be met through the extension.
The strengths-based, solution focused model places the student at the centre of bringing change to their lives. Counselling will ask the student to be active in making change – this may involve research, homework, and purposeful behavioural and cognitive change. While there are cases where counsellors can support and even assist in advocating, the focus will be on making the client their own primary advocate.
Resources
