Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling is a goal driven, collaborative process during which a Clinician and client work together to identify issues or difficulties causing distress. Counselling often involves building personal strengths and resources while trying to understand and improve things in life you are dissatisfied with.

Any SMU student who is registered and attending class during the current academic semester. This includes students on co-op or who are completing their thesis. During the spring and summer months many students do not register and attend class. In that circumstance, if the student was registered and attended class in the winter semester and plans to again in the fall, we will continue to service them through the spring/summer months.

Our Clinician's support students with a broad range of concerns including anxiety, stress, depression, relationships, grief, trauma, boundary setting, self-esteem/confidence, and family dynamics, just to name a few.

We have a short-term counselling model which typically grants students 8-10 appointments per academic year (September-August). There will always be exceptions to our model and such things are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Clinician involved.

Your Clinician will help facilitate a referral to a community service or private therapy to ensure you’re adequately supported.

Counselling services at the Centre are free for any currently registered student at Saint Mary's. 

Unfortunately, no. Our Clinicians’ regulatory bodies and insurance coverage does not allow them to service clients outside of Canada.

Yes. Between the various clinical designations, we have on staff (Psychologist, Social Worker, Registered Counselling Therapist) we should be able to offer services to all provinces and territories due to varying rules/permissions across their regulatory bodies and insurance providers.

Yes, the things you share with your Clinician during counselling sessions is confidential. The information you reveal is not shared with friends, family, faculty/staff on campus or others without your expressed written permission. Counselling records are separate from your academic and other university records. There are a few instances where we may need to share information without your permission including if you express a desire to hurt yourself or someone else or if your Clinician is concerned that a child or another vulnerable person is at risk of harm. You would be notified before any information is shared. During your first intake appointment all limitations to confidentiality will be thoroughly reviewed and you will be given an opportunity to ask any questions you need.

Our typical wait time is 2 weeks. During busier times of the year the wait time might be as long as 3-4 weeks due to an increased demand for services. We make every effort to prioritize urgent appointment requests so please let us know if your matter is urgent.

Yes, however, there may be a longer wait to meet with a specific Clinician due to their availability. All our Clinicians are generalists, meaning they have experience with a broad range of concerns. No Clinician on staff specializes in a particular area.

No but we are happy to discuss other resources options that do.

In very rare circumstances, yes. However, such things are often reserved for ongoing clients whose requests we can adequately speak to or for unexpected traumatic life events.

Yes.

Unfortunately, not currently. We are always looking to hire and retain as diverse a staff as possible and hope to have a black Therapist on our team in the future.

We have a Clinician on staff who has extensive WPATH training and experience supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ population.