Counselling

A Place to Turn When You Need Help

Professional, Safe and Confidential

Distance counselling for VIU students is available though VIU Counselling Services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm.  

To book an appointment:

• Call 250-740-6416;
• Leave a voice message with your name, student number, and email.
• Please ensure your phone number and email match your student record. If this information does not match your student record, please update your student record.
• You will be contacted by Counselling Services to set up an appointment. 

International Students

• Email Counselling.International@viu.ca (this email is only monitored Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm).
• Indicate your name and student number only (the auto-reply from the email will indicate next steps).
• Please ensure your phone number and email match your student record. If this information does not match your student record, please update your student record.
• You will be contacted by International Counselling Services to set up an appointment.

If you are experiencing a crisis, you can reach out to the Vancouver Island Crisis Line via phone at 1‑888-494-3888 (24/7), text or chat at 250-800-3806 (6 to 10 pm); Kuu-us Crisis Line (24/7); and YouthInBC.com online chat (noon to 1 am).  

Faculty, if you have a concern about a specific student, call 250-740-6416 and leave a message. Please let us know the best phone number to reach you and we will contact you as soon as possible. Our phone system is monitored hourly between 8:30 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Please see VIU updates for additional information on supports and services. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to adapt our services.

Counselling Services offers free confidential and professional support to enrolled VIU students. Counsellors collaborate with students in a compassionate setting to clarify concerns, establish goals and explore resources for well-being. We offer a variety of services which can assist in the management of personal challenges allowing students to have the best university experience possible.

Why Seek Help?

There are many reasons why you might want to visit us. Some common issues that students come to us with are depression, social anxiety, self-harm, disordered eating, relationship problems, perfectionism, grief & loss, substance use, confidence, loneliness, procrastination, internet addictions, coping with a traumatic event, adjustment to University life and many other personal difficulties. Our goal is to help you overcome these challenges so you’re able to have the best possible experience at VIU. In these uncertain times, our counsellors are also able to provide support around concerns of being overwhelmed, feeling isolated, or otherwise distressed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How do I Connect with a Counsellor?

To set up your first appointment, domestic students please call 250-740-6416, international students please email Counselling.International@viu.ca, as listed above. During COVID-19, counsellors are available to connect via phone, zoom, or email. 

If you have an urgent concern and need to talk to someone, please indicate this when you call or email. Come to the Counselling Centre and indicate if you need an urgent session, and we will do our best to book you in to meet with the next available counsellor.

Is Counselling Confidential?

Yes. We take your right to privacy seriously. All information is for the purpose of providing counselling services. No information will be released to VIU administrators, instructors, outside agencies or anyone else unless authorized by you or required by law. See link for more information on confidentiality.

Services We Offer

• Personal Counselling
• Crisis Response
• Wellness Workshops & Groups
• Orientation to Counselling Services
• Consultation with Faculty
• Referrals

Distance counselling for VIU students is available though VIU Counselling Services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm.  

To book an appointment please:

• Call 250-740-6416;
• Leave a voice message with your name, student number, and email.
• Please ensure your phone number and email match your student record. If this information does not match your student record, please update your student record.
• You will be contacted by Counselling Services to set up an appointment.