Student Counselling

Therapy and Counselling Services for University Students in Kitchener Waterloo

Most university students are juggling a lot of expectations and new experiences. With new stressors in their lives, many students struggle to maintain their mental health. Therapy can be beneficial for them, but they may not realize how much it can do to improve their lives. On top of that, worries about the cost may hold them back from services that would help them.

But college students in Kitchener Waterloo don’t have to let these things hold them back. At Trillium Counselling, our therapy team has helped students throughout Ontario and can help you create the life you want. The good news is that there are resources to make that support accessible! Even for students with limited budgets.

UWaterloo and Wilfrid Laurier Students Mental Health Benefits

Fortunately, many colleges and universities are starting to recognize that students are struggling, as well as the value of therapy to support them. Many students have tight budgets and fear that therapy is too expensive. However, an increasing number of student benefit plans are set up to make mental health services accessible

Both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University offer similar benefits for mental health visits. They both cover up to $800 of visits per year. Wilfrid Laurier University pays a maximum of $100 per visit, while the University of Waterloo pays 80% of the session fee.

It’s worthwhile to explore your benefits even if you’re not ready to start therapy, so you are prepared. College life moves fast, and you deserve the support you need when things get tough.

Therapy Can Help

Students don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from mental health services. In fact, pursuing therapy can help prevent a crisis and help students stay on the path they’ve chosen. Therapy can help them weather the ups and downs of university life in a number of important ways. Here are just some of the benefits of mental health services.

What to Expect From Therapy as a Student

Therapy is ideally tailored to the patient and their individual needs, but you can expect a few basic steps as you move through the process.

During the first visit, you and the therapist will begin to get to know each other. They will explain their credentials and approach to treatment. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. A professional therapist won’t be offended if you have reservations: you have the right to answers about what you’re getting into.

Next, you will typically talk about what brings you to therapy and your goals for the process. This step directs what comes next. Are you there to address a specific issue, such as procrastination? If so, you will typically plan to meet certain measurable goals. Especially if you’re using a therapist who uses an approach such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, you can expect to make progress in a limited number of sessions.

On the other hand, if your goal is open-ended, such as exploring past trauma or difficult emotions, your goals may take longer and be less concrete. Regardless, you should have an idea of what to expect next. As therapy progresses, you will probably reassess your goals periodically. It’s perfectly reasonable to adjust your expectations and approach if you want to.

Again, a professional therapist won’t be offended by you advocating for yourself and your needs.