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Book with a Counsellor
Book with a Counsellor
Book with a Counsellor
Adjusting to the challenges of postsecondary education can be uniquely difficult for each student. Having someone to collaboratively explore your challenges through talk therapy in-person or virtually can be quite helpful.
Book a Counselling Appointment
Are you registered with the clinic? Call 519-661-3030 or visit Thames Hall (Room 2170) to set up your profile with Health & Wellness Services.
Already registered? Book your appointment online, by phone or in-person.
Our clinic can support students struggling with:
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Oftentimes, only an initial appointment is needed for a student to get back on track. Student Mental Health Services uses a short-term model, meaning a student can be seen by a counsellor up to 6 times per academic year. If you'd prefer a counsellor with a particular specialization or diverse perspective, you can state your preference when speaking with reception. They'll do their best to match your needs with our current counsellor offerings.
For more information about Mental Health services at Western, please review our Student Guide To Mental Health Services.
Types of Appointments:
During an initial visit we will explore themes and how you are doing more broadly. We will need to know what your goals are for the session and how you think you can be best helped. This may be your first experience with therapy, and you might not know what your goals are. Not to worry - we will help you figure that out.
We will ask about the concerns that brought you to seek counselling support and what might help improve your situation. We will explore how your academic life is going; your sleeping and eating habits; how you are managing day-to-day life; your family background; mental health challenges you may have faced in the past; and current substance usage, if any. These questions are designed to help us understand you, but it is your choice what you'd like to share with your counsellor.
We will also ask how you are feeling right now, how your mood is, and, importantly, we ask all students about whether they have thoughts of hurting themselves. We may involve our physician partners to assess thoughts of hurting yourself.
After exploring the challenges you are facing, we will collaboratively provide guidance for your next steps.
Same day appointments will be focused on what is worrying you and ensuring your safety.
To be seen same day, either call reception (519) 661-3030 or come to Thames Hall room 2170. We will do our best to see you as soon as possible and often have appointments available up to 4:00 p.m.
At times, you may need to wait a couple of hours or be seen within two days. We are not able to provide same day appointments after 4:00 p.m. We also do not provide crisis care, but can direct you to crisis supports.
If we aren't able to accommodate you, a list of resources will be provided.
- e.g. CMHA Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Centre at 648 Huron St in London (519) 433-2023, for example, is open 24 hours/day everyday.
Follow-up appointments can be booked at the end of the counselling session by your counsellor, when you are ready to be seen again by calling reception, or by booking online. Our model is short-term, meaning that students can be seen up to six times in follow-up.
Group meetings allow you to learn from your peer students experiencing similar circumstances.
You are welcome to self-refer or someone may suggest a group to you. To participate in group support, your file will first be reviewed by the group leader. You may meet with the leader in advance. This is done to ensure that the group is right for you and that you will be able to positively contribute to the group. There are times in which a group leader may first recommend individual work before joining the group.
Mental Health Clinic Hours:
Students are not seen on site outside of clinic hours, and virtual appointments will rarely extend beyond those hours.
Regular Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Extended Hours (September - April)
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Clinic Location
Our clinic is located in Thames Hall Room 2170. If you're entering through either side entrance, head down a level, turn right and follow the signs to room 2170. If you enter through the main entrance, you're on the right level and the clinic is through the doors and to your right. Access accessibility maps to assist your navigation.
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Specific Student Supports
These student groups may prefer to meet with affiliated counsellors as their sessions per year may be more flexible, but can still make use of Thames Hall services.