MENTAL HEALTH
Counselling
Between academic demands, life transitions and everything else on your plate, university can be a lot. Wellness and Psychological Services is here to support you and your mental health. We offer free, confidential counselling and case management services focused on what matters to you right now.
What we can help you with
Counselling can help when stress, personal challenges or past experiences start to affect how you’re feeling, focusing or managing school. We can help support you with your concerns such as these:
- stress, anxiety, low mood or negative self-worth
- loneliness or feeling disconnected
- school pressure, time management or motivation
- sleep concerns or burnout
- grief, loss, major life changes or trauma
- relationships with friends, partners or family
- identity, culture or sexuality
- ADHD, autism or neurodivergence
- financial or housing concerns
- experiences of racism or discrimination
If you’re facing any of these challenges or just need someone to talk to, counselling may be right for you. We’re here to listen, support you and help you move forward.
Your support options
Our counselling options are short-term, goal-focused and designed specifically for students. We meet you where you are to help you build skills, understand your situation and connect with other supports if needed.
Individual counselling
Meet with a trained clinician to explore your concerns, build skills and improve well-being. Sessions are 50 minutes, confidential and focused on your goals.
Group therapy
Join a small group of students to learn, share experiences and build skills. Groups meet once/week for 6 to 8 weeks and are led by a mental health professional.
Case management
Work one-on-one with a clinician to create a plan and connect with on- or off-campus resources. Ideal for concerns that need extra support or coordination.
Support and therapy groups
Start dates are updated at the beginning of each semester. If you are interested in group therapy or joining a support group, you need to book and attend an initial consultation first.
What to expect
The Social Initiative is a group therapy program based on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & 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 need a charisma boost just to say “hi” in class, this group is for you.
Dates and times
- Every second Tuesday, January 29 to April 9, 2026
- 1 – 3 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 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, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and intersectional feminist approaches.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students who are diagnosed with ADHD
Dates and times
- Tuesdays, February 3 – March 31, 2026 (no group during Reading Week)
- 2 – 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 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, January 30 – March 27, 2026 (no group during Reading Week)
- 1 – 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 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, January 29 – March 5, 2026 (no group during Reading Week)
- 2 – 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 are explored. Together, we 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, January 29 – March 26, 2026 (no group during Reading Week)
- 12:30 – 2 p.m. (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 includes 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 you to engage in behaviour shown to increase happiness and well-being.
Who is this group for?
MacEwan students aiming to increase happiness and well-being
Dates and times
- Tuesdays, January 27 – March 31, 2026
- 3 – 4:30 p.m. (in person)
Facilitators
Julia RussellMelissa Nielsen
For more information, contact wps@macewan.ca
Connect with the Peer Health Education Team
How to book an appointment
You can book an initial consultation with one of our clinicians in these ways:
- Phone: 780-407-5063
- Email: wps@macewan.ca
- In person: visit our reception desk in 7-103A (Building 7 map)
Have your student ID handy at the time of booking. We try to book initial consultations within two weeks of your request. Follow-up appointments are scheduled based on clinician availability. Before your appointment, you receive a link to complete a short consultation form. This helps your clinician understand what’s going on and guides your conversation.
Please note
- Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Appointments are not available outside these hours.
- Attending an initial consultation does not guarantee ongoing counselling. Your clinician will discuss next steps based on your needs.
Get ready for your initial consultation
At your first session, you talk with a clinician in a safe, confidential space. Initial consultations last 20 to 30 minutes and can be in person, online or by phone. The session is focused on understanding what’s going on for you, exploring your main concerns and planning next steps including any follow-up appointments.
How to prepare
- Think about why you’re coming: what’s bothering you such as school, work, sleep or relationships and how it is affecting daily life.
- Consider what you want from counselling and what changes would help in your day-to-day life.
- Complete any required forms and arrive on time.
Safe and private
- Counselling is confidential and doesn’t go on your academic record.
- Your professors, advisors or employers won’t be told you’re attending unless you ask for that to be shared.
- Seeking support won’t affect scholarships, housing or other opportunities.
- You only share what you feel ready to share—there’s no pressure.
Remember, counselling is one way we can support you. You don’t need to have everything figured out before your first session. Just showing up is a great first step.
Get immediate, confidential support through Uwill—MacEwan’s mental health and wellness partner 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.
Frequently asked questions
Any student enrolled in at least one credit course can book an initial consultation with a clinician. From there, you discuss your concerns and goals, and you may be booked for ongoing counselling or referred to other services.
No. Despite what you may have heard, there is no waitlist. Most students are booked for an initial consultation within two weeks, and urgent or emergency situations can be seen the same day.
Yes. If you’re experiencing an emergency during office hours, you can come in. You’ll answer some screening questions, and depending on your needs, you may be seen the same day or scheduled for an initial consultation as soon as possible.
If you are facing a mental health crisis outside of office hours or off-campus, support is available.
Not always. The clinician you see for your initial consultation may not be the same one you’re booked with for follow-up sessions, but all clinicians coordinate to provide consistent care.
Yes. Wellness and Psychological Services does not provide the following:
- court-mandated services
- medical assessments or diagnoses
- psychological assessments or diagnoses
- counselling for litigation
- medication prescriptions
- long-term therapy (15+ sessions)
- documentation for employers, immigration or government agencies
For psychoeducational assessments, please reach out to Access and Disability Resources (ADR) for assistance getting a referral.
No. 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 concerns experienced by MacEwan faculty or staff.
Faculty and staff can also access counselling resources by contacting ACCESS 24/7 at 780-424-2424.