Single-Session appointments are available online five days in advance. Visit the appointment booking page to book an appointment. If you do not see any appointments available, please check the website again the following morning for availability.

Single-Session Counselling is not a quick fix, but it can be a helpful way to start to implement change. While it can be useful when you’re struggling with a problem, it is also a great way to build skills, such as communication, assertiveness, self-awareness and problem-solving.

You can access Single-Session Counselling more than once. However, it is our expectation that before returning you will take two to three weeks to try out the plan that was co-created in your session.

Counselling sessions are included in your Student Health Fee each term. You will not be required to pay any additional costs apart from no-show fees incurred when appointments are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

Mental health support in the community can be costly. For example, the average private therapy session costs $150 or more and reduced-fee community services often have a significant waitlist. We aim to keep the Student Health Fee low and the quality-of-care high.

If you have specific preferences for a counsellor who works with a particular population or specialization you will be able to review this information when booking a Single-Session Counselling appointment online. We encourage booking the next available appointment, but you always have the option to look for counsellors who have a specialization that is of value to you. Many of our counsellors have their bios on our website. Please note we continuously aim to increase the diversity and experience of our team to better reflect student needs.

With Single-Session Counselling, you may not always be paired with the same counsellor for additional visits, but counsellors will begin your next session with a review of the progress you have made on your “next steps.”

Students who are receiving brief individual counselling may request to change their counsellor if they feel they are not able to make progress with the assigned counsellor. Students will be asked to consult with a manager about this transfer who will have a supportive conversation with you to understand the request and better meet your needs. Please email hcs@carleton.ca.

Students can access AccessMHA, a resource to help you find mental health, substance use health, and addictions support, services, and care.

Students also have access to free counselling through their undergraduate or graduate student health plan. Health plans for CUSA and GSA provide a predetermined amount of coverage for psychological services. If you opted out of the student health plan, you likely have coverage through an alternate health plan (i.e. parents).

Please note Counselling Services does not have the capacity to support students long-term due to the high demand for mental health services. 

If you are experiencing difficulties of a long-term nature and/or if you have engaged in ongoing therapy in the past, Counselling Services may provide referrals to a provider in the community or access to primary care in the Health Clinic to ensure you have access to mental health care that is suitable for your needs.

Counselling is most effective when counsellors and students work together, and progress is most likely to occur when students continue to work on their goals between sessions. If you feel you are not making progress, it is important to give your counsellor this feedback and work together to adjust your plan so it works best for you.

Students are responsible for behaving respectfully and following the Students Rights and Responsibilities Policy when accessing any services, including Counselling Services, within Carleton University. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Health and Counselling Services cannot provide documentation to support petitions or appeals to first-time visitors. Students who attend only Single-Session Counselling are eligible for a Letter of Attendance. Ongoing clients may receive documentation under certain extenuating circumstances at the discretion of their counsellor or provider.

A team of professionally trained mental health counsellors (registered psychotherapists, social workers and GP Psychotherapists) who specialize in issues impacting those who have experienced sexual violence, 2SLGBTQ+ students, Black, Indigenous, students of colour and international students.

Our counsellors support students struggling with a wide variety of concerns including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, academic and/or personal stress, relationship problems, sexual violence and adjustment to university.

Please note: GP Psychotherapists are family physicians with a special designation who provide specialized CBT, CPT and other services outside of counselling support for mental health issues like ADHD and complex trauma. You will require a referral to access their care through your primary care physician.

Counselling Services provides care to enrolled students at Carleton University. This includes both undergraduate and graduate students. We acknowledge and embrace diversity in its multiple forms, including but not limited to, physical ability, age, cultural identity, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion and the intersection of these various identities. We are committed to providing supports in a safe, inclusive, accepting and empowering environment.

Please note: Students who are not currently enrolled in classes due to graduation, withdrawal and/or due to dismissal are NOT eligible.

At Carleton, we are committed to supporting as many students as possible with accessible and timely services. However, given the increasing demands on mental health services and our limitations in providing long-term mental health care, some services extend beyond our scope of care, or require very specialized providers.

Students whose needs cannot be accommodated will be guided to the most effective levels of available care on campus or within the community. We will be clear with you when we are unable to provide the services you need and will help to identify appropriate options. Referrals may be discussed during the initial meeting and/or in follow-up sessions when further assessment of needs has been done.