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Student Counselling Services Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no single “right” reason to reach out for counselling. Some students connect with us for support with mental health concerns, academic challenges, career decisions, or personal growth. Many students also come because they want to build coping skills, improve their well-being, or simply have a safe space to talk through what’s happening in their lives. We want to emphasize that you don’t need to be in a crisis to reach out—connecting with us can also be a proactive step to care for your mental health and overall well-being!
Yes, in a limited capacity. This service provides you and your partner with a safe, supportive space to work on your relationship together.
To be eligible for couples counselling, at least one partner must be a current MRU student. Non-MRU partners are not eligible for other counselling services (e.g., individual counselling).
As not all of our counsellors provide couples counselling, we may have to connect you with trusted resources in the community to make sure you get the support you need.
For an in-person appointment, you will check in at the front desk with our admin staff and the counsellor will come out to get you. For a virtual appointment, you will click the Google Meet link that was emailed to you.
In your first appointment, the counsellor will share important information about what counselling is, what confidentiality is and all the different circumstances when confidentiality might be broken. You are going to be invited to ask questions at any time. Your counsellor will also ask questions about what brings you into counselling and about different parts of your life. You may be invited to share what your hopes are for counselling so that you and your counsellor can work together. You may be offered different resources that are available. At the end of the appointment, you can choose to book another appointment.
Mount Royal University Student Counselling serves students who are currently enrolled in university credit courses, and students who pay the mandatory non-instructional fee as part of their Continuing Education courses.
Students who are required to withdraw, who decide to sit out for one or more semesters, or who have completed their studies (i.e., are not currently enrolled but who have not yet convocated), are welcome to access our service for a brief (30 min session) for consultation about accessing community resources.
Students doing Academic Upgrading courses only, do not pay the mandatory non-instructional fee and are not eligible.
If you have been receiving counselling in the Winter semester, please speak with your counsellor about what on- and off-campus services would best meet your needs over the Spring and Summer. A limited number of walk-in and bookable appointments are available over the spring and summer. If this is your first time using MRU Student Counselling Services and are registered for the Fall, we invite you to meet with us at the start of the Fall semester
Yes, part-time students who are registered in credit courses or who pay the mandatory non-instructional fee (Continuing Education) are still eligible for counselling services.
There is no set limit to the number of sessions you may access; however, MRU Student Counselling Services is a shorter-term service. Typically students might only need a few sessions to move towards their goals.
Please talk to your counsellor about your individual needs and your counsellor will offer some additional resources and services that might be a more appropriate fit.
At MRU counsellors don’t diagnose mental health or medical conditions, and we don’t prescribe medication. What we do offer is a safe space to talk through what’s going on for you, and support for the emotional, personal, and psychological concerns you may be facing.
If it seems like a diagnosis, assessment, or medication could be helpful, we’ll walk you through the referral process and connect you with a physician or psychiatrist. With your permission, we can also collaborate with other healthcare providers so you get the care and support that best fits your needs.
The answer to this question depends on the kind of relationship you have with your psychiatrist. Not everyone who meets with a psychiatrist needs to meet with a counsellor.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who generally take a more biologically-based approach and can diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, and provide talk therapy.
If you are working with a psychiatrist who is focusing on medication management, but you are also interested in engaging in talk therapy, you can share these needs with your psychiatrist. They may recommend a referral to a counsellor as part of your overall treatment.
When you meet with a counsellor, you can discuss your counselling-related needs and goals. With your written consent, your counsellor and psychiatrist have the option to consult with each other to coordinate your care.
No. Appointments must be booked via phone or in-person.
- Course selection or course registration support
- Program specific support
- Clinical diagnosis or assessments
- WCB related services/assessments (MRU Student Counselling Services is not a designated WCB service)
You will be supported in accessing resources and services that can address the above needs.