Counselling and wellness

It is increasingly recognized that it is possible to develop skills in this area. We hope to encourage the development of these skills along with offering mental health and wellness services, both formal and informal, during your time with us here at law school.

There are a variety of mental health and wellness services available in the event you encounter personal challenges, mental health issues or a crisis. We recognize that it is possible that you may face any range of issues during your legal studies, including housing and financial challenges, the onset or recurrence of a mental health issue, or a crisis situation.

We are keenly aware that personal factors can impact the ability to focus on your legal studies. We are committed to offering services such as counselling, referrals and academic accommodation. Other services include connecting you with suitable services and resources to address your specific concern(s). This webpage is a guide to introduce some of the available mental health and wellness services and resources.

There are two counsellors at the law school who are here to support you: the Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Programs and the Mental Health & Wellness Counsellor. These counsellors each have distinct roles and offer distinct services described below.

Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Programs

Our Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Programs will work with you to help clarify various personal issues and learn strategies that can help you cope with the challenges you are facing in your educational, personal and professional lives in order to promote a successful experience in law school.

Specialized referrals can be made by the Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Programs to an appropriate service. Common referrals include those to our Mental Health & Wellness Counsellor, the Member Assistance Program (MAP) program, psychologists/counsellors in private practice and to various community resources.

To schedule an appointment, please email [email protected].

Mental Health & Wellness Counsellor

The Common Law Section has a dedicated Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor who is a member of the Counselling Services staff and is available to provide counselling services to Common Law students at Fauteux Hall.

When you contact Counselling Services, you will be initially scheduled for a brief mental health intake appointment (virtually or in-person at the SHWC in Minto) with an intake officer to discuss your mental health concerns and needs. The initial intake appointment is a first step to accessing counselling. From there, you will be directed to our dedicated counsellor and/or referred to other appropriate services on or off-campus that are best suited to your needs.

To schedule a mental health intake appointment with an intake officer, pleasetelephone 613-562-5498, visit the Student Health and Wellness Centre in person (801 King Edward Ave., Room N203 on the 2^nd floor) or follow the online booking instructions available on the UpPatient app.

Wellness Mentor-in Residence, Debra Love

Debra Love acts as the Common Law Section’s Wellness Mentor-in-Residence.

Debra is a graduate of the Programme de common law en français at uOttawa (J.D.), whose work in government over the last 10 years has spanned international law, administrative law, commercial law, and privacy law, and has led her to an acting position as Senior Counsel and Manager in Aboriginal Law with the Department of Justice Canada.

Debra has also been an educator, speaker, and advocate of wellbeing, diversity, and success for over 15 years. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and has an extensive background in learning and change management. As an entrepreneur and Coach, Debra founded iNTENTION first, a business to uplift and empower people who want to stop living small and experience a life of maximum fulfillment and success. She is honoured to support you on your path of continued wellbeing.

Debra will be accepting appointments this Fall on Wednesdays from 12pm-1pm via Zoom. You may reserve book a meeting with her via The Source. You can meet with Debra in French or English.

Law Society of Ontario’s Member Assistance Program (MAP)

The MAP is a confidential support and counselling program coordinated by the LSO and funded by the annual fees paid by its members. While it is coordinated by the LSO, the MAP program operates separately to ensure your confidentiality. This service offers short term and long-term counselling along with a range of wellness resources.

Students are invited to self-refer online or telephone 1-855-403-8922 (TTY: 1-866-433-3305).

Cost: No cost to students and their family members.

Greenshield’s Empower Me Program

The Empower Me program is a confidential support and counselling program. Services and support include online, telephone (and when health conditions permit: in person) access to consultants, counsellors and life coaches and wellness resources at Aspiria mobile app.

For immediate access: Call the 24/7 helpline at 1-844-741-6389 from anywhere for immediate crisis support.

Book online using the Empower Me website - use "Studentcare" as the password.

Cost: There is no additional cost to you to access this service.

Counselling Connect

Counselling Connect provides quick access to a free phone or video counselling sessions, available in English or French. The service is open to everyone: children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. There is no waitist.

Mental Health Practitioners in Private Practice

Your group insurance is provided by Greenshield. This plan includes coverage of mental health practitioners at 80% of the cost of the service with a maximum coverage of $1,500 per policy yearly (2019-2020 year/subject to change). The practitioner must be a psychologist, registered social worker or specified therapist. You may select an approved type of practitioner or use a psychologist suggested by Greenshield since they partnered with Psyvitaliti to facilitate access to psychologists with student rates.

For more information about access to psychologists, visit psyvitaliti.ca or call 1-844-337-2473 ext 0.

The average cost of a private mental health practitioner ranges. Some practitioners offer student rates. Average hourly rates in Ottawa for mental health therapists/counsellors: $85- $140 per hour.

The Equity and Student Success Counsellor and the Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor at the law school, as well as counsellors at Counselling Services, via the single session or walk-in appointment, will provide recommendations to private practitioners and indicate those who offer student rates and specialized services. The self-refer tools below can also be used to locate specialized services.

The use of private practitioners can be helpful if the challenge you are facing requires a specialized mental health service i.e. eating disorders, severe trauma, multiple disorders, addictions, focus on anti-black racism, chronic mental health issues etc.

You can also self-refer to private practitioners:

Counsellors Available at Community Agencies

Counsellors and Therapist are also available at Community Counselling Agencies in Ottawa and in your home community.

Services charge ranges but rates are often geared to income. As such, sessions for students may be as little as $10 per session.

The Equity and Student Success Counsellor and the Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor and counsellors at Counselling Services, via the walk-in or single session appointments, will provide referrals to agencies based on what is most suitable for you. You may also wish to self-refer.