Personal, emotional, and academic challenges are a common part of student life. Counsellors provide a safe and confidential space for you to explore your concerns and work collaboratively with you to strengthen your ability to cope.
On this site you can learn about the counselling support available to Okanagan College students, find out how to book a counselling appointment, and access helpful online resources to help you with your personal, career, and academic development.
Do you need after-hours support?
Here2Talk
Here2Talk offers free, confidential counselling and community referral services 24/7 to B.C. post-secondary students. Access the services by the app, website or by calling: 1-877-857-3397 in Canada. If you are outside Canada, dial +1-604-642-5212; international calling charges may apply.
KUU-US Crisis Line
KUU-US is an Indigenous, B.C.-wide crisis line offering culturally safe crisis response to Indigenous people at risk. The line operates 24/7:
- Adults/elders: 250-723-4050
- Child/youth: 250-723-2040
- Toll free: 1-800-588-8717
Crisis Line
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, help is available.
You can reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline by texting or calling 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada.
Request a counselling appointment
Meet the counselling team
Personal counselling
We offer short-term counselling related to personal, mental health, career and academic challenges. If you are experiencing depression, loneliness, anxiety, anger, substance abuse or any other type of personal issue, we encourage you to access our services. No matter how big or small, your concerns are important and OC Counselling Services is here to help you. If we feel you would benefit from support that is more specialized or longer-term than what we can offer, we will help connect you with a support service in the community.
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the counselling relationship. All communication and records are confidential. Neither the fact that you seek counselling, nor any information about the counselling sessions, will appear in your student academic record. If any individual or office ever wants to know anything about your counselling, you would have to sign a release of information form before this information is released (except in the rare circumstances noted below).
All communications between you and your counsellor will be held in confidence, except under the following circumstances:
- If we have reason to believe that a minor (under the age of 19) is in need of protection.
- If we have reason to believe that a person is a danger to themselves or others.
- If a judge, coroner, ombudsperson, children’s commission and/or other such authorities order us to release records or to appear and provide information.
- If we have reason to believe that there is potential risk to an individual or to the broader college community.
Your counsellor will provide you with more information about confidentiality before your initial counselling session.
Counselling services are free of charge for all currently enrolled OC students.
Currently enrolled OC students can access up to 10 individual counselling sessions over the course of a student’s OC course or program, with a maximum of 5 sessions per academic or summer semester (or 4-month period).
Session frequency is determined together by the student and OC counsellor dependent on: the nature and complexity of the student’s presenting concern, student’s scheduling availability, the determination of the most appropriate therapeutic framework or clinical course of action, the student’s course/program length and/or semester load, and the availability of counselling services at the student’s preferred or “home” campus.
The wait time to meet with a counsellor varies throughout the semester, based on student demand and counsellor/campus availability. During busy times (i.e. peak of the semester), it may take up to 2 weeks before getting in to see a counsellor for a regular scheduled appointment.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. If it is your first appointment, you may wish to arrive 10 minutes early in order to complete initial paperwork
We ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your appointment, so that we can make your appointment available to other students who are waiting for service. You can do so by contacting the Student services/Administrative front desk or by contacting your counsellor directly (either by telephone and/or email).
If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, it will be considered a missed appointment and you will have to reschedule to see your counsellor.
If you wish to reschedule, the new appointment will be booked within the wait-time parameters of that particular point in the semester.
OC counsellors are knowledgeable about the various academic accommodations available at the College, and are happy to review them with you. Please note that OC counsellors do not typically contact instructors and are unable to sign a Request for Medical and Compassionate Withdrawal unless in exceptional circumstances.
Engaging in counselling is voluntary and counsellors do not report to referring individuals. ɫɫɫƬ have the right to refuse counselling at any time, or to refuse any particular intervention.
If you are a currently enrolled student at Okanagan College and have some concerns around personal issues, academic success or general career direction please make an appointment with a counsellor.
If you have questions about OC programs and courses, admission requirements or pre-requisites, please make an appointment with an Education Advisor.
Our counselling services are for currently enrolled and attending OC students only. If you are not attending OC and would like to access counselling support, please visit community resources for a list of available community resources.
Currently OC Counselling Services in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton are open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Salmon Arm campus counselling is available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-4:30pm.
If you are seeking service after hours, Here2Talk offers free 24/7 counselling services to any student registered in a BC post-secondary institution.
Request an appointment
If you require immediate support, please access crisis resources.
Counselling services are available for students who are currently enrolled and taking Fall 2024 courses (including co-op programs). įIf you are not currently enrolled, we encourage you to access community resources. į
If you have questions about OC programs and courses, admission requirements or pre-requisites, please make an appointment with an Education Advisor.
KELOWNA STUDENTS: Please note that Nala the therapy dog may sometimes be present in the Counselling area. If for any reason you do not wish to have a dog present, your preferences will be prioritized. We will ensure that the therapy dog is not present/visible during your session.
Counselling staff
The staff with Counselling Services is made up of professionals committed to serving students in a caring and competent manner. Individual counsellors have the expertise to respond to a wide variety of personal, academic and social issues faced by students during their academic experience. In addition, individual counsellors have some unique areas of expertise and interest which best enable us to connect with students in a way that is most helpful.
Staff/Faculty concerned about a student: If you are concerned about a student, and would like to connect a student to counselling support, please visit our resources for faculty and staff page for more information.
Our current Co-Chairs of Counselling Services are Lisa Sookochoff (Kelowna) and Natalia Mozol (Vernon). Please reach out to them directly for any general counselling inquiries.
Kelowna staff
I am passionate about working with college students and helping students navigate through academic and personal challenges. I strive to create a non-judgmental and inclusive environment in sessions. I believe that students are the experts in their own lives and that my role is to walk along side students to help them gain the insight they need to achieve their desired goals. My therapeutic approach comes from a variety of modalities including Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Credentials:
MEd (Counselling Psychology)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #8860
My approach to counselling is solution-focused, holistic and strengths-based. My goal is for students to feel supported and understood, and to provide tools that they can use in the here and now. I guide students towards a deeper understanding of themselves, so they can make healthy choices that move them towards their academic and life goals.
Credentials:
MA (Counselling Psychology)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #2786
I work with students to help maneuver through challenges that are negatively impacting their personal and academic success. Some of my areas of interest include anxiety and depression, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality.
Credentials:
PhD
Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.)
Hello and welcome to OC! I am passionate about supporting students through periods of challenge and change, both within their personal and academic journeys. My goal is to provide students with the necessary support, strategies, and resources needed to better cope with emotional pain and navigate life’s transitions, while at the same time fostering greater self-awareness and personal insight. I work with students on a wide variety of presenting concerns.
Credentials:
MCP (Counselling Psychology)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.) #12017
Penticton staff
Hello and welcome! I'm glad you're here. Being a student is a time of life transition, and navigating the uncertainties and unknowns of transition is naturally stressful. I'm here to listen to what is going on for you and offer understanding, perspective, and strategies and skills to support you when things feel overwhelming. I draw from a background in mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), neuroscience and the mind-body connection (somatic therapy).
Vernon staff
Counselling offers a pathway to personal growth and self-reliance within a nurturing environment. My approach to therapy is particularly focused on assisting learners in developing resilience in their personal and academic lives, encouraging them to gain individual insight and build from their strengths.
My goal is to cultivate an accepting, compassionate, and authentic space for students as they navigate changes, face challenges, explore their identities, and manage crises. Our work together will include an awareness of the impact of social and relational systems, trauma, and cultural influences. I draw on a variety of intervention methods including systems theory, positive psychology, attachment theory, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, IFS informed and experiential approaches.
My areas of interest include personal development and identity, self-compassion, managing dependency and establishing boundaries, finding meaning through existential exploration, and grief work.
With a background in supporting individuals within education, healthcare, accessibility, and mental health systems, I bring a diverse range of experiences to my counselling practice for a compassionate approach to everyone’s journey.
Credentials:
MA Counselling Psychology
Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)
Salmon Arm staff
Supporting students to navigate personal and academic challenges is work that I find very meaningful. I place great importance on providing a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space for students to come for support and growth. I believe that everyone is unique, and my therapeutic approach draws on a mix of skills that meets the needs of each student including solution-focused, strength-based, mindfulness, and narrative therapy principles.
Credentials:
BSW, MACP (Counselling Psychology)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #17928
Kelowna campus
Student Services Building (S111)
250-862-5451
Vernon campus
Administration Building (A300)
250-545-7291
Penticton campus
Ashnola Building (PL142)
250-492-4305
Salmon Arm campus
Main Building (SA103)
250-832-2126