During your time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, you may experience challenges and stressors within your academic and personal life. Our counsellors provide a safe space and tailor the appointment to your needs. As a Sask Polytech student you can access personal and academic counselling services, free of charge. Indigenous counsellors are available upon request. Counselling appointments are confidential and private. 

Learn more about the resources available to support your mental wellbeing.

Counselling appointments

Our counsellors are here for you. They provide a safe environment to discuss your concerns, help you understand your strengths, learn new skills and empower you to set goals and make changes. Contact with a counsellor may be client initiated or the result of a referral. Support can be brief or ongoing and community resources may be suggested. Counsellors currently see students over Zoom and in person.

Book an appointment

To learn more about your rights as a counselling client, please read our Counselling Services Informed Consent form. We care about your rights, privacy and safety, and encourage you to read the form before your first session.

What to expect:

  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic Counselling Services offers current students a safe environment to discuss your concerns, help you understand your strengths, learn new skills, and empower you to set goals and make changes.
  • Counselling sessions are free and offered through phone, Zoom video and in person.
  • Your counsellor will invite you to talk about the benefits and costs of making the changes you are considering and then support you in working on your goals.
  • Counselling is most helpful when you work together with your counsellor.

Rights and responsibilities:

  • It is important to know that you have many rights as a client including the right to say “pass” or “no,” and to stop counselling at any time.
  • You have the right to change your counsellor at Sask Polytech.
  • For counselling options outside of Sask Polytech, your counsellor will make efforts to support you with referrals and/or resources
  • For phone or Zoom appointments, it is the student’s responsibility to secure adequate technology. You will need a quiet, private space free from distraction/intrusion, with sufficient lighting and in a safe fixed location.
  • Counsellors cannot accept any personal contact or social media invites.
  • Ask your counsellor if you have any further questions about your rights as a student accessing counselling.

Counselling appointments:

  • You and your counsellor will discuss a plan to deal with potential problems that may arise during a technology assisted counselling session.
  • Counsellors will take steps to protect your privacy. Choosing a private space for your phone or Zoom sessions is your responsibility.
  • Counselling sessions shall not be recorded in any way.

Electronic or technology assisted communication:

  • Sask Polytech uses reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of information sent and received using electronic communications. There are potential risks of using technology assisted communication.
  • Privacy and security of electronic communication cannot be guaranteed.
  • Electronic communications, collected information, and files might be forwarded, intercepted, circulated, stored or changed without the knowledge or permission of Counselling Services or the student. This may result in sensitive information being unsecured. Electronic communications are subject to disruptions beyond our control and may prevent service provision.

Your file:

  • Office coordinators and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Counselling Services staff have access to student information that is collected by Saskatchewan Polytechnic with the intended use of scheduling appointments.
  • Your counselling file, which is stored separately from your academic file, contains brief notes summarizing sessions. Paper and/or electronic files are securely stored for seven years.
  • You have the right to request information from your file and are encouraged to ask your counsellor any questions.
  • To maintain best practice, consultation with other counselling staff or the manager may take place.
  • If an emergent circumstance or pressing concern arises, the manager of counselling may access a student's counselling information without written consent, if deemed necessary.
  • If a counselling staff member is working on higher credentials, and receiving outside supervision, a separate consent form will be provided at the first session.

Confidentiality:

  • You have many rights to privacy and confidentiality. Any information you have shared with your counsellor will remain confidential as we are bound by a code of ethics and professional guidelines.
  • Your counsellor will not approach you in public to protect privacy; however, you are welcome to acknowledge them if you would like.
  • If the need to obtain or share information with other professionals outside of counselling services presents, we will request your consent in writing. You have the right to refuse consent and your wishes will be respected.
  • You have the right to withdraw consent to release at any time.
  • There are times when private information would be released without signed consent. These times include:
    • There is reason to believe that you are at imminent danger of harming yourself or others.
    • You share, or your counsellor believes, that another person (including children and vulnerable persons)is at risk for serious harm.
    • Your file is subpoenaed or requested by court of law.
  • When private information needs to be released counsellors will only share relevant information to ensure safety.

Safety:

  • In an emergency and/or if your counsellor is concerned for your safety, and unable to reach you, your emergency contact may be notified. Alternatively, necessary authorities or emergency services may be called.
  • Your chosen emergency contact is ___________________________.

By downloading and signing the form below or verbally consenting to the above with your counsellor, you confirm you understand the information as provided and would like to proceed.

Want to know more? View our frequently asked questions.

Additional resources

Several additional resources are available to support your mental wellbeing.

Contact us

Please email us or call your local campus; phones are all forwarded and will be answered during campus closures. Student Services will respond to voicemail and email messages within 24 hours.

Counselling Services, Room 2.203
306-691-8311 or 306-691-8310 (Mobile Crisis 306-694-7605)
counselling@saskpolytech.ca
Counselling Services, Room F203 (Technical Building)
306-765-1611 (Mobile Crisis 306-764-1011)
counselling@saskpolytech.ca
Counselling Services, Room 228
306-775-7436 (Mobile Crisis 306-757-0127)
counselling@saskpolytech.ca
Counselling Services, Room 114
306-659-4050 (Mobile Crisis 306-933-6200)
counselling@saskpolytech.ca