Counselling and Wellness
Welcome!
Need someone to talk to?
Our counsellors are here to listen.
Counselling is available and FREE to all College of the Rockies students. Book your appointment online, visit Student Services, or give us a call.
Meet Our Counsellors
Chris McHolm, B. Ed., M.A. (Counselling Psychology)
Welcome!
On my counselling practice: my hope is that people feel welcomed to talk about what they want to talk about. I listen with compassion and curiosity. I believe that healing occurs when, with care and compassion, the unconscious becomes conscious.
My style of therapy: compassion-focused, person-centered, meditation, trauma-based care, art-in-therapy, nature-in-therapy, and cognitive-therapy.
On a personal note: I am a father, partner, artist, coffee-lover, and sun-lover.
Looking forward to meeting with you.
Certification: Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Liz Hamilton, B.A., M.C. (Counselling)
It is a great privilege to be consulted about the challenges people are up against in their lives. My work is to hear and catch stories – to hold them up to the light for people to re-weave in a way that honours their strengths, resources, and deepest values.
Certification: Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Sharon Dueck, B.Ed. – Counselling Practicum Student
I am a counsellor currently working under supervision, having completed my master’s level coursework in counselling psychology. I genuinely appreciate and feel honoured by everyone who comes to share their concerns with me. While I recognize there is still much to learn, I hope this keeps me curious and humble as I strive to understand you and your needs. I warmly welcome everyone to counselling, where your thoughts and feelings are valued, and every concern, big or small, is worth sharing.
What to Expect During your First Appointment
First counselling appointments are an opportunity for you and your counsellor to get to know each other and to get a sense of what working together will be like. Our counsellors will ask some questions about your background, your area of study, your life circumstances – they will be curious about who you are, what matters you are bringing to counselling, and what you hope counselling will be like or do for you.
Prior to meeting with the counsellor, you will be asked to complete an intake form. This is mainly to update emergency contact information and provide you with a bit more information about counselling so that you can consent to receiving this service. If you prefer to review this form with the counsellor before signing it, please let us know.
Confidentiality is an important part of counselling, and the information you share with your counsellor will not be shared outside of Counselling & Wellness without your consent, unless
- You or another person is at imminent risk of serious harm.
- Child abuse or child neglect is suspected or disclosed.
- A court of law subpoenas information obtained in treatment.
To hear our counsellors talk a bit more about Counselling at the College, check out this podcast.
Mental Health and Wellness Workshops
Our counsellors are available to come into classes to do introductions to the Counselling Team for the start of programs. We are always excited to connect with students and let them know about the resources available on campus, online, and in the community.
The counselling team offers workshops to the College of the Rockies community on request, schedules permitting. Our counsellors are always fine-tuning their workshop offerings. Please contact Student Services for further information about current offerings or a specific topic of interest.
Previous workshops have included:
- Caring for Self
- Receiving Feedback
- Breathe to Succeed
- Communicate to Relate
- Anxiety is Your Superpower
More Support
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or text with a crisis responder any time. A network of responders at local, provincial, and national crisis line. This service ensures anyone anywhere in Canada can connect with support 24/7.
Call or text 988
Visit the Suicide Crisis Hotline website
Here2Talk
The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training has launched Here2Talk, a free single-session service available by app, phone, or online chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chat sessions with a trained counsellor can be accessed by downloading the Here2Talk app.
Phone: 1-877-857-3397 or 1-604-642-5212
Visit the Here2Talk website
Services available 24/7
GuardMe Student Support
For international students only, this program connects students with free, confidential emotional health and wellbeing support. The program will help match students based on preferred language and culture. Conveniently available 24/7 via the app, telephone and web.
Phone: 1-844-451-9700
Visit the GuardMe website
Hope for Wellness
The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online ‘chat’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1-855-242-3310
Visit the Hope for Wellness website
Services available 24/7
Additional Resources
Student Services Appointments
Contact Us
Student Services
Phone: 250-489-8243
Toll Free: 1-877-489-2687 x3243
Fax: 250-489-8218
Email: studentservices@cotr.bc.ca