Counselling Services
Book a counselling appointment
New to counselling services? Start here.
To access counselling services for the first time, please follow these steps:
- Log in to myTrent
- Navigate to Support -> Health and Wellness -> Counselling Services Durham GTA
- Complete the Online Registration Form
After you submit the registration form, you will automatically be redirected to our online booking site to schedule your Initial Session.
Important: When creating your online booking account, please use your @trentu.ca email address.
We understand that reaching out for mental health support can feel challenging for many reasons. We invite you to choose the therapist who feels like the best fit for your needs.
Returning students:
Students who have already completed registration and attended an Initial Session
There are several ways to book a follow-up session:
- Use the “Book a Follow-Up Session” link sent to your trentu.ca email after your previous session(s).
- Book directly through the Medeo app using your Medeo login credentials you created when first registered for counselling services.
- Email durhamcounselling@trentu.ca to request the follow-up booking link. We can also help if you’re unsure which Therapist you saw previously.
Have questions? We’re here to help:
Email: durhamcounselling@trentu.ca
Phone: 905-435-5102 Ext. 5158
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What We Offer
- Short-term, goal directed mental health support to all registered students who are presently residing in Ontario
- A confidential, non-judgmental, warm, compassionate, and safer environment with a personalized treatment approach
- Hybrid support options; in-person or virtual.
- Individual and group counselling formats available
- Wellness education and programming through the Peer Health Educators
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What to Expect
- A safe space to share, explore, and work toward meaningful change
- To be accepted and valued for who you are as a person
- Collaborative conversations focused on your goals
- Opportunities to build skills for coping
- Change-oriented counselling
- 50-minute individual counselling sessions
- Culturally affirming therapy that honors multi-faceted identities and cultural strengths, while also recognizing the impact of injustice, oppression and trauma
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Examples when a referral may be required
- Some experiences and situations may be beyond what we can offer. We will work with you to identify the most effective level of care and connect you to the appropriate community resource.
- Students who require intensive and/or long-term outpatient or inpatient treatment (for example, impairing eating disorders, safety concerns, and other complex mental health)
- Students seeking mandated treatment
- Students seeking formal psychological assessments (for example, for learning disabilities or ADHD), diagnosis, and/or medication management
- Students who require crisis intervention; or who consistently need service
- Students who are already receiving ongoing therapy with another mental health provider
- Students who require counselling to meet an academic requirement, or are interested in counselling solely to gain clinical experience
Meet our Team
Title
Katherine Chambers, MSW, RSW
(she/her)
Therapist (Racialized Students)
Title
Mallory MacIsaac, MCP, RP
(she/her)
Therapist
Title
Corinn Phillips, MA, RP
(she/her)
Assistant Director, Student Wellness (Durham)
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Additional Counselling Options
Indigenous Student Therapist
Available to navigate a variety of mental health concerns with Indigenous Students. Confidential, individual counselling sessions, as well as group workshops and sharing circles are available to all Indigenous students at no cost.
Durham Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC)
Access to free, confidential, trauma-informed counselling for survivors of sexual violence. Students accessing this resource are eligible for 8-12 individual sessions at no cost. Email Isabella Giuga (She/Her), BA Hons, RSSW to arrange a session either on the Thornton Rd campus or virtually; email isabella@drcc.ca.
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program
Access to publicly funded, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused, goal oriented and teaches practical strategies and skills for coping with depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions. Interested to know more; book a session with counselling services to discuss a referral.
Self-referral to the program is also available using the link below:
Make a Referral to Ontario Shores | Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
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Crisis Resources
Signs of a Crisis
A crisis situation may include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Thoughts about harming another person
- A recent sexual assault or traumatic event
- Hallucinations or delusions
Get Immediate Help
If you or someone else is at risk of immediate harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call or Text 9-8-8
Experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis?
The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline provides support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English and French.
Call or text 9-8-8
Other Urgent Support
For urgent, non-emergency support, contact one of the following services:
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, French and Mandarin.
- Call 1-866-925-5454
- Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English.
- Local: 905-666-0483
- Toll-free: 1-800-742-1890
- 1-833-294-8650
LGBT Youthline
Offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through phone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday 4pm – 9:30pm.
- 1.800.268.9688 Text 647.694.4275, Live Chat Option
Naseeha
A 24/7 resource for Muslim and non-Muslim individuals providing a confidential, safe zone for mental health-related assistance. Texting available.
- 1-866-627-3342
National Eating Disorder Information Centre
NEDIC provides information, resources, and helpline support for those experiencing disordered eating and their supporters.
- 1-866-633-4220 online chat available.
Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle
NASC Healing services for Anishnaabekwewag who have experienced abuse.
- 705-741-0900
Talk4Healing -Beendigen
A culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
- 1.855.554.HEAL Live Chat Option
Trans Lifeline
A peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, this hotline is available to support you and provide further resources.
- 1.877.330.6366
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Community & Self-Help Resources
Aids Committee of Durham Region
(ACDR) connects people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Durham Region to supports, services and resources.
Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) provides health and mental healthcare to Indigenous persons, based on Indigenous culture and traditions. AHT is the only facility in Toronto that cares for Indigenous clients with both western and traditional approaches to health care.
(CFDS) Help to Heal, Move Forward, and Thrive
Provides services to the community regardless of faith-based beliefs and support those in their healing journey with a variety of difficulties. Clients are asked to pay fees on a sliding scale though services will not be denied due to financial barriers. CFSD is an umbrella agency that includes Renewal Psychotherapy Durham, Rose of Durham and Safety Network Durham.
ConnexOntario
Funded through the Ontario Government and provides confidential health services information for people seeking treatment for needs related to alcohol, drugs, mental health and/or gambling. This service navigation and information is live-answer, 24/7.
Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC)
Brief counselling services (6-12 sessions). We help our clients with a range of challenges, from day-to-day problems to mild to moderate mental health concerns. No cost.
Family Services Durham (FSD)
Provides individual, couple and family counselling to people who live or work in Durham Region. Multiple locations available. Sliding scale fee.
IM Well
Offered through Student VIP and your student association; check out the suite of services, including counselling available to you.
Private Therapy with Student Health Benefits
Students who have opted-in to the Student Health Benefits Plan will be reimbursed up to $1000 per year for private psychotherapy. If you are under the age of 25, you may have additional coverage through a guardian/parent's employment benefits.
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is an initiative that aims to bring the right services to youth (and their families) at the right time and in the right place.
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Smart Phone Apps
- Free App that supports users with navigating urgent mental health resources in your area, includes a digital safety plan that can be completed and kept on phone
- Free guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds to help calm the mind, relax, focus, and sleep better.
- Free journal for your well-being that supports with language to describe how you feel, spot trends and patterns and practice strategies to regulate emotions
- Evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies, personalized tools to support individuals with managing anxiety symptoms
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Groups & Workshops
Our groups and workshops provide opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth. Stay tuned for upcoming offerings, schedules, and registration information.
EVERYbody project
EVERYbody Project is a gender inclusive, dissonance-based body image intervention for post-secondary students. A space dedicated to promoting body positivity, inclusion, and wellbeing for everybody. Join us as we discuss diversity in cultural ideals of appearance and critique the individual and collective impacts of pursuing exclusive appearance norms.
Date, Time and Location: TBD