MENTAL HEALTH
Counselling
Wellness and Psychological Services has a range of training and clinical experience. We can help you manage personal challenges that may be causing barriers to your academic success.
If you are struggling with any of the following, we are here for you.
- Personal concerns, such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, guilt, low self-esteem and grief
- Relationship concerns, such as issues in romantic relationships, with roommates or family, in your social life
- Developmental concerns, such as identity (e.g., personal, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity), adjustment to university and life transitions
- Academic concerns, such as test anxiety and perfectionism
- Other concerns, such as the effects of trauma, sexual assault, abuse, body image and disordered eating
Accessing counselling services
Book an appointment
If you haven’t accessed counselling services before, you can call us at 780-497-5063, contact us by email at wps@macewan.ca or walk-in to 7-103A to set up an initial consultation. In some instances, a support person can attend the initial consultation with you. If you’d like a support person to attend, please let us know when you book your appointment.
We will contact you by telephone or email to schedule the initial consultation.
Meeting options
Initial consultations are held by telephone, video meetings or in-person. When we contact you to schedule the initial consultation, you can let us know which option best meets your needs. Appointments take place during consultation hours: Monday-Friday, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. (except Wednesday mornings).
At the consultation
At this free and confidential 30-minute conversation with a counsellor, you explore your reasons for seeking help and discuss the best course of action for you. At your appointment you can:
- Determine whether Wellness and Psychological Services is a good match for your needs
- Receive helpful resources specific to your concern
- Book follow-up appointments when appropriate
- Find information about treatment and therapy options if the service doesn’t meet your needs or appointment times are fully booked
If you are in crisis
Initial consultation appointments are booked at least 72 hours in advance. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please proceed to your nearest hospital emergency ward or dial 911. For crisis support, phone ACCESS 24/7 at 780-424-2424 ext. 2, the 24-hour Distress Line at 780-482-4357, or Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
If you were assigned a clinician after an initial consultation within the past six months, you can contact us to discuss scheduling options for a follow-up appointment. Ongoing counselling is available in person or by telephone or video.
Wellness and Psychological Services requires a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or to reschedule an appointment. If less than 24 hours’ notice is provided, pre-booked appointments are automatically cancelled and a $10 fee will apply. Clients are required to pay outstanding fees in-person (via Interac Debit, Visa or Mastercard) before booking further appointments.
If you require documentation to support a deferral of an exam or assignment due to extenuating personal circumstances or other compelling reason, a Wellness and Psychological Services staff member may be able to provide what you need.
Requests for documentation must be made in person. Before meeting with a counsellor, we encourage you to discuss extensions, deferrals and withdrawals with your instructors. As well, please familiarize yourself with the following forms: deferred examination request form, exception request form, extension of incomplete grade agreement form.
What to expect
Counselling is an active process where a student works with a trained professional in a supportive environment to address a specific goal and improve functioning in one or more areas of their life. Counselling sessions are targeted, directive conversations that often involve learning and practicing new skills.
We use a short-term counselling model, which allows us to support as many students as possible, with the majority experiencing significant growth and progress towards achieving their goals. If you would benefit from longer-term or more specialized services, we work with you to find appropriate supports in the community.
We provide free, confidential, professional services in three areas: individual counselling, group counselling and case management.
Individual counselling
In individual counselling, you and a counsellor address a range of concerns that affect your well-being and academic performance. These may include stress, anxiety, feeling low, loneliness, relationship issues, eating concerns, addictions and more.
Together with your counsellor, you decide how many times you will meet and how often, which depends on factors such as availability of resources, your needs, the progress you’re making toward meeting your goal(s) and so on. Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. They take place during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can request a specific counsellor, although we cannot guarantee availability. You can bring someone to keep you company in the waiting room before your appointment.
Group counselling
Group counselling is a great way to build new skills, learn from others who are facing similar challenges, get support and develop communication skills. Our groups are facilitated by professionals with clinical experience in a range of areas, including depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and emotion regulation.
Typically, group therapy takes place once a week for eight weeks, during the fall and winter terms. Start dates are posted at the beginning of each semester. If you are interested in group therapy, you need to attend an initial consultation first.
What to expect
The Social Initiative is a group therapy program based on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. These sessions are designed to help you build confidence in social situations, learn to express yourself and set boundaries, make meaningful connections with others and experience the power of storytelling and shared adventure. This group offers a low-stress, safe environment for complete beginners (never played before) as well as experienced players to develop skills for confronting social anxiety and build connections.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students who experience social anxiety or feel socially disconnected. If you feel like you need a charisma boost just to say “hi” in class, this group is for you.
Dates and times
- Every second Tuesday, starting January 29 to April 9, 2026
- 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (in person)
Facilitators:
Janel McFadyenCathy Underhill
For more information, contact wps@macewan.ca
What to expect
This 8-week group is for students with ADHD who want to learn about ADHD, how it impacts them and develop strategies to manage challenges. You explore how the ADHD brain works, share experiences in a supportive environment and engage in interventions such as narrative therapy, mindfulness, CBT and intersectional feminist approaches.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students who are diagnosed with ADHD
Dates and times
- Tuesdays, Feb 3 – Mar 31 (no group during Reading Week)
- 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. (in person)
Facilitators:
Jenna WilliamsAmber Fuentealba
For more information, contact wps@macewan.ca
What to expect
Are you wondering if you might be autistic, or are you exploring an autism diagnosis? Join our neurodiversity-affirming group to learn more about autistic brains and how to best nurture them. We will explore topics such as masking, stimming, building connections, sensory differences, coping with burnout and much more.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students who are questioning whether they are autistic or exploring an autism diagnosis
Dates and times
- Fridays, Jan 30 – Mar 27 (no group during Reading Week)
- 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (online)
Facilitators:
Carly MacArthurAnnelise Lyseng
For more information, contact wps@macewan.ca
What to expect
The MacEwan Men’s Circle is a 6-week discussion group tailored for male-identified students to connect and talk about their experiences with masculinity. Together, we’ll dive into the different expectations and pressures of being male-identified, and how these affect mental and physical health, relationships and friendships. Our goal is to challenge restrictive definitions and celebrate the diversity of masculinity.
Who is this group for?
Male-identified MacEwan students
Dates and times
- Thursdays, Jan 29 – Mar 5 (no group during Reading Week)
- 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. (In person)
Facilitators:
Craig GnauckTory Pino
For more information, contact Tory Pino at pinot2@macewan.ca.
What to expect
This 8-week therapeutic support group offers a safe and compassionate space where students can explore their own grief experience and be supported by others who are also grieving. Topics such as the grieving process, grief myths and facts, activities of mourning, and coping and regulation strategies will be explored. Together, we will create a healing space where you can share stories, emotions and challenges, with the goal of increasing connection and self-understanding.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students who are grieving the death of a loved one
Dates and times
- Thursdays, Jan 29 – Mar 26 (no group during Reading Week)
- 12:30–2:00 PM (In person)
Facilitators:
Christina LarsenCarly MacArthur
For more information, contact Christina Larsen at larsenc@macewan.ca.
What to expect
This 8-week group is designed for those who want to actively cultivate a greater sense of happiness and well-being. The group will include discussion, psychoeducation, and, perhaps most importantly, weekly homework assignments that are essential to the group's intentions and success. This is an active group that requires participants to engage in behaviour shown to increase happiness and well-being.
Who is this group for?
Open to MacEwan students aiming to increase happiness and well-being.
Dates and times
- Tuesdays, Jan 27 – Mar 31
- 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. (In person)
Facilitators:
Julia RussellMelissa Nielsen
For more information, contact wps@macewan.ca
Is group therapy for you?
Group therapy is a new experience for many people, so it’s normal to feel uncertain about it. This video explains what group therapy is—and isn’t—and why it might be worth trying.
Case management
Case management is a goal-focused, active process in which you and your clinician address a specific barrier that impacts your wellness. For example, our case managers are able to assist you with legal, financial and housing issues. A case management focus connects you with resources, both on- and off-campus, to minimize the negative impact from an identified barrier so you can then focus on your capacity and wellness.
To connect with a case manager, please complete an initial consultation.
Get immediate, confidential support through Uwill—MacEwan’s partner mental health and wellness platform. Uwill is a third-party service, offering secure online sessions with registered therapists anytime, anywhere. It operates independently from MacEwan University and from Wellness and Psychological Services.
Services not provided by Wellness and Psychological Services
If you require services that are outside of our scope of practice, we can help connect you with appropriate referral resources. We do provide non-clinical counselling services. We do not provide psychological assessments and/or counselling for:
- Court-mandated services (e.g., anger-management or substance abuse programs)
- Requirements by employers, government agencies or academic departments
- Obtaining documentation for academic, employment, travel or housing accommodations
- Clinical diagnosis
- Litigation or court purposes
- Psychoeducational assessments (Contact Access and Disability Resources for assistance with getting a referral. )
As well, we do not have any physicians or psychiatrists on staff who can prescribe medication. However, if medication is indicated, our counsellors can refer you to the appropriate medical professionals within the Edmonton community.
Wellness and Psychological Services does not provide counselling to faculty and staff. However, counselling services are available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), which provides immediate and confidential assistance for any work, health or life concern experienced by MacEwan faculty or staff. Faculty and staff can also access counselling resources by contacting ACCESS 24/7 at 780-424-2424.