Counselling Services

WHEN YOU NEED TO TALK, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU

It’s okay to not feel okay. Our Counselling team is here to help you clarify your needs, explore solutions, and support your academic and personal goals.

Our professionally trained counsellors can assist with mental health, substance use, relationships, and other concerns that may affect your success. We provide a confidential space to discuss any topic and, if needed, connect you with additional college or community resources for ongoing care.

Spacer

Student Supports at a Glance

Personalized & Confidential Counselling

Groups & Workshops

Peer Support Services

Find Support to Thrive at Fanshawe

counsellor waves at camera during online appointment

Find Support to Thrive at Fanshawe

We provide single-session and urgent counselling to offer timely, focused support for students navigating challenges during college life. Sessions are led by registered psychotherapists and social workers and can help with stress, anxiety, relationships, and adjustment to college.
Our counsellors work with you to develop solutions for mental health concerns and, if needed, provide access to additional college and community resources for ongoing care.

Book an Appointment

Appointments will be available the same day/next day

Appointments can be booked online (24/7) or in-person during office hours.

Book an Appointment

Intake and Scope of Care

Before starting counselling, you’ll meet with an Intake and Triage Facilitator. This 20-minute session helps clarify your concerns and ensures you’re connected to the right service.

Services Outside Our Scope

Fanshawe is committed to accessible, timely support. However, some needs—such as ongoing therapy or specialized mental health treatment—may require external care. If your needs fall outside our scope, we’ll help you connect with appropriate campus or community resources. Additional options may be discussed during intake or follow-up sessions

Note: Counselling Services is not an emergency service. If you think that you or someone you know is in immediate danger, or is too ill to wait for an assessment, you should access a hospital emergency room. If you are experiencing any immediate physical or mental health concerns: contact 9-1-1, or go to the nearest urgent care or emergency care facility for after-hours support.

Crisis & AFter-Hour Support

Suicide Prevention
Call or text 9-8-8 to get help anytime, from anywhere in Canada. Canada's 988 helpline gives you 24/7 access to free, confidential suicide prevention services by phone (call or text). Simply dial 988 to connect with trained responders offering trauma-informed and culturally appropriate support, in English or French.

Crisis resources

Mental Health Addictions and Crisis Centre at 648 Huron Street in London, Ontario (24/7 support)
Reach Out mental health, addictions and crisis support line (phone: 519-433-2023)
Good 2 Talk student support line (phone: 1-866-925-5454 or text "GOOD2TALKON" to 686868)
ANOVA violence and abuse supports including sexual assault and crisis counselling (phone: 519-642-3000)

CMHA After Hours Service
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides mental health support to anyone in need. Walk-in and in-person services are available for persons in need. Find a location near you.

WeConnect
The WeConnect Student Assistance Program (SAP) provides eligible students and their dependents with short-term therapy, lifestyle counselling, courses, tools and events to improve mental and physical health.

Domestic Students

International Students

Virtual appointments
Students will be able to set up an appointment by emailing campus@cmhatv.ca during our operating hours. Please include your phone number in your email.

Spacer

Helpful Information about Counselling

How do I book a Single-Session Counselling Appointment?

Intake and counselling appointments are available online up to 2 business days in advance. Visit the online booking link to book an appointment. If you do not see any available appointments, please check the website again the following morning for updated availability.
If you require support to book your appointment, please call (519) 452-4282, or come in to F2010 during regular business hours for assistance.

How many counselling appointments can I use?

Single-session counselling can be a helpful way to start to implement change or explore solutions to challenges that you face while you are in school. It may be helpful when you are struggling with a problem, or to help you build skills such as communication, assertiveness, and problem-solving.
You can access Single-Session Counselling more than once. We would normally expect you to take 2-3 weeks to try out the plan that was co-created during your session. Therefore, our online booking system will not allow another appointment to be booked within two weeks. If you are in crisis or need urgent support, please call or visit F2010 during regular business hours, or utilize community crisis supports.

How much does counselling cost?

Counselling is a free service for Fanshawe students. You will not be required to pay for your counselling sessions.
Counselling through the Student Assistance Program We Connect is covered through student ancillary fees, and there are no additional fees to access these services.
Counselling in the community may have fees associated. Students may have access to some funding for these costs.

Peer Support

Are you looking for a sense of community? Trying to find the right resources? Just hoping for a chance to talk?

Join fellow students in a drop-in space for a chance to chat, take a mental health break or get help navigating Fanshawe’s resources. Student peer leaders are trained in active listening, communication skills, diversity issues and wellness strategies. Explore College and community services together with us at your own pace.

Open to current Fanshawe students living in Ontario ONLY. To register, email peersupport@fanshawec.ca.

Use the Kind Space In Innovation Village

The Kind Space serves as a Peer Community Hub for students and trained peers to meet, connect and network.

Peers provide fellow students with social, emotional, practical, career and/or academic support using their similar experiences as students. Connecting with a Student Peer can foster a sense of community and belonging through the exchange of shared lived experiences.

You can access the Kind Space for scheduled:

Drop-In Peer Support
One-on-one Peer Mentoring and Peer Tutoring
Skills-based and recreational groups

The Kind Space values compassion for others, respect, a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion, as well as sensory considerations and the commitment to privacy. Above all, the space aims to encourage connection and normalize help-seeking in a welcoming and accessible environment.

Kind Space location and booking hours
F2012, Red Zone, London Campus.

Starting September 9.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Closed on weekends and holidays.

How to book the Kind Space
Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and Peer Support volunteers can book the space to meet with fellow students by emailing peersupport@fanshawec.ca.

Please cc your supervising staff or faculty member who can confirm your role as a current trained peer offering academic, social, practical, emotional or career support to fellow students

Student Mental Health Toolkit

Learn how to support a student in distress. Are you worried about a fellow student or friend? Not sure what to do or how to help?

There are many supports on and off campus that can help someone who is struggling. Read our student mental health toolkit to learn how to Recognize, Respond and Refer to provide assistance for a student who may need a bit of mental health help.

Read our blog post on How to Support Someone with Mental Illness.

Recognize

Recognize the signs a friend might be struggling.

Common signs might include:

A sudden disinterest in connecting or social withdrawal
Sleeping a lot, stating that they are always very tired
Difficulty controlling emotions
Sharing feelings of hopelessness
Excessive use of alcohol / drug

Respond

If you are comfortable doing so, speaking directly to your friend and expressing your concern can often help someone take the first steps to getting help.

If you choose to speak with the them, keep the following tips in mind:

Meet in a private place where you will not be interrupted;
Remain calm and welcoming;
Express your concern in a positive tone and be specific about the what is concerning you; "I've noticed _______, and I'm concerned about you"
Listen with empathy and without judgment, encouraging them to elaborate. "So what you're saying is…tell me more about that.";
Convey caring and sensitivity while being cautious about giving advice. "It sounds like there is a lot going on, there are some resources I can connect you with that may provide help."
Understand that "opening up" can be difficult and emotional for both of you;
Know your limits. Avoid promising to keep their concerns a secret. If the student expresses something that might indicate a safety risk, remember that you should always contact someone else who can help (e.g., Campus Security for students on campus; 911 for students off campus)

Unsure how to bring it up? Here are some sample questions…

"I've noticed _______, and I'm concerned about you"
"How's it been going lately?" or "How have you been feeling lately?"
"I noticed you missed the last class / test – is everything okay?"
"So what you're saying is…tell me more about that.";
"It sounds like there is a lot going on, there are some resources I can connect you with that may provide help."
"That sounds like a lot. Did you know there is free and confidential support on campus that students can access?"

Refer

You can refer your friend to single-session counselling.

Confidential counselling services can be delivered in person, by secure video conference, or over the phone.

519-452-4282 or email counselling@fanshawec.ca.

If you are concerned for the safety of your friend or dealing with an emergency, contact Campus Security Services or 911