Counselling - St Thomas University

Counselling involves meeting with a qualified professional to assist and guide you in resolving emotional difficulties. One-at-a-time counselling has the intention of helping the client in one session, while acknowledging that additional sessions are available to the client if they choose to reach out again. Ongoing counselling has the intention of helping the client over multiple sessions; typically, the counsellor will schedule another session with the client at the end of their appointment. Both types of counselling have benefits and are helpful depending on the individual and their current needs. Some counselling services are free, but others have a cost; see details below.

One-at-a-time Counselling

Student Wellness Professional Counsellors

Who? Available to all STU students

When? One-at-a-time counselling is available 24/7 by phone 1-833-549-3281

Where? One-at-a-time counselling is available by phone (you can also connect through email).

Cost? No cost - free

Questions? Website or call 1-833-549-3281

Ongoing Counselling

Student Wellness Professional Counsellors

Who? Available to all STU students

When?  Ongoing counselling is scheduled by appointment once you are connected to a counsellor. You can receive short-term ongoing counselling through Student Wellness for free or Student Wellness can connect you to a counsellor in private practice in your area (which has a cost) for long-term ongoing counselling. To be connected to a counsellor, call Student Wellness at 1-833-549-3281 (available 24/7) and say you want to access ongoing counselling. They will complete an intake assessment over the phone and gather information on your preferences and availability for counselling. For short-term ongoing counselling through Student Wellness, Student Wellness will contact you within three business days to book an appointment with a counsellor. For long-term ongoing counselling, Student Wellness will contact you within three business days with the information of a counsellor whom you will need to call to schedule an appointment. 

Where? Ongoing short-term counselling through Student Wellness is available via phone; programming through Student Wellness is available via phone or virtually/video-chat.

Cost? No cost - free (but there may be a cost if Student Wellness refers you to a counsellor in private practice in your area)

Questions? Website or call 1-833-549-3281

Please note that Student Wellness offers short-term counselling (two to three sessions). One of those sessions is a programming session with a coach and the other one or two sessions are with the same counsellor.

With Student Health Benefit Plan through Campus Trust

You can see a Licensed Psychologist, Registered Social Worker/Master of Social Work, Licensed Professional Counsellor, Licensed Counselling Therapist, or Psychotherapist in the private sector.

Who? Available to STU students on the Student Health Benefit Plan through Campus Trust

When? Availability depends on the counsellor you choose.

Where? Whether counselling is offered via phone, virtually/video-chat, or in person will depend on the counsellor you choose.

Cost? Cost per sessions will depend on the counsellor you choose. The Student Health Benefit Plan (Campus Trust) provides coverage up to $1000 per academic year (restarts in September)

Questions? Email studentbenefits@pbas.ca or call 1-888-404-6623

Please note that the Student Health Benefit Plan through Campus Trust usually covers 6-7 sessions per academic year, considering what most counsellors in the private sector charge per session. You can access more sessions but would have to pay out of pocket.

With Another Health Benefit Plan

Students who opted out of the student health benefit plan most likely have a different health benefit plan with a different health insurance provider (e.g., Medavie Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, etc.). Contact your health insurance provider to ask what coverage you have for counselling. Ask what amount and percentage is covered. For example, your health benefit plan may cover $500 per calendar year at 80%, which means that if your counsellor charges $100 per session, your health insurance provider will pay $80, and you will pay $20 to your counsellor. Also, ask what credentials (e.g., licensed psychologist, registered social worked, licensed professional counsellor, etc.) your counsellor needs to have for their services to be covered. Some health benefit plans will only provide coverage for counsellors with certain credentials.