Counselling & learning strategy

Life can be complicated. This is especially true when you're juggling your life with your learning.

Royal Roads University offers free, confidential counselling and learning strategy services. You can get one-time support or short-term ongoing counselling (usually up to five sessions). We offer services to you, wherever you are — in person, over the phone or on Zoom. Meet our counsellors to find the right fit for you.

Make an appointment

Use one of the following options to book a counselling appointment:

  • Book an appointment using our online booking system.
  • Phone 250.391.2600 ext. 4515 or toll free 1.800.788.8028 (ask for "Counselling Services").
  • Email us.

Prior to your first appointment, please familiarize yourself with our confidentiality and informed consent statement.

If you need an appointment urgently or outside of hours available in the online booking system, email us directly. A counsellor will respond when they're available during normal university business hours (8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) to make arrangements.

Get help now

If you need help now contact one of the following crisis services:

  • Here2Talk: a free, confidential counselling and community referral service, available 24/7 via app, by phone (1.877.857.3397) and online for all BC post-secondary students
  • 310-Mental Health: a 24/7 service offering emotional support, information and resources for mental health and substance use issues, by phone 310.6789 (no area code needed) toll free anywhere in BC
  • 988 is Canada's suicide prevention hotline. Support is available by phone or text
  • Vancouver Island Crisis Line: a 24-hour phone, chat or text crisis support service
  • Canadian Crisis Centres: a list of crisis centres across Canada
  • Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous Peoples: phone line or online counselling chat service
  • LGBT National Help Centre: Hotline options and resources for members of the LGBTQIA+ community

What kinds of services are available?

Workshops

Check out our upcoming wellness workshops under "student event", and find past recorded workshops on this RRU YouTube channel playlist.

Here's a self-guided mindfulness and grounding exercise that can be fit into your unique schedule.

Counselling

Counsellors use a variety of counselling tools and techniques, including culturally appropriate counselling for Indigenous students. You can book an appointment with a counsellor to discuss whatever's on your mind. Common topics include the following:

  • anxiety and stress management
  • depression
  • loss or grief
  • confidence and self-esteem
  • family challenges or transitions
  • relationship issues
  • group dynamics and interpersonal skills
  • sexual or physical abuse or assault
  • substance misuse and addictions
  • identity

If you've experienced an incident of sexual violence you can get help. We can provide emotional support and assist with reporting an incident upon request.

Learning strategy

Counsellors can also suggest learning strategies to support your wellbeing and academic success.

First, the strategist will look at your current study habits and identify any challenges or barriers to your learning. After this, you'll work together to create a plan, which may include strategies for the following:

  • study skills 
  • moving ahead with a major project, if you're stuck
  • time management
  • stress management
  • exam preparation
  • overcoming procrastination

Nature Therapy

RRU’s Counselling Service is thrilled to offer nature therapy sessions for students. 

Royal Roads Campus, on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature!  A walk and talk session with a counsellor through the gardens, or taking time to quietly listen and explore the supportive messages from nature, can be so beneficial for our wellbeing.

Potential benefits from connecting with nature include:

  • Decrease in stress and anxiety symptoms
  • Improvement in mood
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Cognitive benefits such as improved attention and focus
  • Feeling relaxed and peaceful

Nature Therapy sessions can be booked on LibCal by selecting on-campus Counselling & Learning Strategy Supports and following the prompts.

Other wellness resources