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.
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 is an Indigenous, B.C.-wide crisis line offering culturally safe crisis response to Indigenous people at risk. The line operates 24/7:
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.
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:
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.
Students may choose to meet with a counsellor in person or via telephone or video. You will be asked your preference when you submit your webrequest form. Some students may choose to meet in person for some sessions and virtually for other sessions. We can accommodate your preferences.
Due to the high demand for services, all counselling appointments are pre-scheduled on a first come first serve basis. Students are generally seen within 2-3 weeks of their initial request. In the event you require more immediate support, please reach out to these resources that are available 24/7.
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 3 weeks before getting in to see a counsellor for a regular scheduled appointment.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length.
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 your counsellor directly via 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. Students 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.
Kelowna campus: Counselling Services is located in A100, in the Student Services building.
Penticton office: Counselling Services is located in office PL111 in the Ashnola building.
Vernon Campus: Counselling Services is located in the hallway of the D building, office D368
Salmon Arm campus: Counselling Services is located in the main building, in office SA 121
(Revelstoke: Counselling Services is offered virtually through the Salmon Arm campus).
To access individual counselling appointments, enrolled students must be located in B.C. at the time of their appointment. If you are currently enrolled at OC and are residing outside of B.C., please visit our resources page to learn more about available supports.
All appointments are booked through our online webrequest form. The form asks for basic information and all information shared in this form will be kept confidential.
Once your form is submitted, a counsellor will email you within 2-3 business days to offer you an appointment time based on your availability. Please note that the more availability you provide, the sooner we may be able to meet with you.
You will be asked to respond to the email to confirm your appointment as soon as possible (within 3 business days.)
Once confirmed, your counsellor will email you a link to complete the necessary intake and consent forms prior to your appointment.
Please note that at this time our system does not provide reminders. You are encouraged to put the scheduled appointment in your calendar at the time of booking.
If you require immediate support, please access crisis resources.
Counselling services are available for students who are currently enrolled and taking Summer 2026 courses (including co-op programs). If you are not currently enrolled, we encourage you to access community resources.
Due to limited availability of Counselling Services staff over the summer months, email response times may be delayed, and counselling appointment availability is limited in July and August. Our full Counselling service will be up and running in September.
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.
Kelowna campus: Counselling Services is located in A100, in the Student Services building. (Located between the Bookstore and Continuing Studies).
Penticton office: Counselling Services is located in office PL111 in the Ashnola building.
Vernon Campus: Counselling Services is located in the hallway of the D building, office D368.
Salmon Arm campus: Counselling Services is located in the main building, in office SA 121.
Revelstoke: Counselling Services is offered virtually through the Salmon Arm campus.
Campus maps: Campus Maps | Okanagan College
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 Ashley Steele (Kelowna) and Sam Johnson (Salmon Arm). Please reach out to them directly for any general counselling inquiries.
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
I'm here to support students with challenges and changes that come up in life and studies. You are not alone in your journey- I am here to hold a warm, encouraging space for you to freely express yourself and to explore what matters to you. At times, I will offer gentle guidance in the form of reflections, tools and exercises to support you. My counselling is informed by neuroscience, polyvagal theory, mindfulness and strengths-based practices.
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’m so glad you’re here. I’m passionate about supporting students as they navigate both the challenges and changes that come with academic and personal growth. My goal is to offer compassionate support, practical strategies, and helpful resources to empower students in managing emotional pain and adapting to life’s transitions.
I strive to create a space that fosters greater self-awareness, insight, and resilience. Whether you're facing specific concerns, or simply need a safe and supportive person to speak to, I’m here to help with a wide range of issues and experiences.
Credentials:
MCP (Counselling Psychology)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #12017
I work with students to help navigate through school and life struggles. I feel so privileged to witness the changes and growth that occur. Together, we can create goals to help facilitate positive changes, cope with stress effectively and identify solutions in your life.
My approach is grounded in creating a safe, encouraging and judgement free environment for students. I draw from many theories of counselling including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. I work from a trauma centered, strength based and attachment perspective.
Clinical Counsellor, Penticton Campus
If you're thinking about coming to counselling, congratulations - this is often an important step for an individual's wellness and personal growth. I know it can also be daunting to open up to a counsellor for the first time. As we start to work together, I will follow your cues so that we can build safety and trust in our therapeutic relationship.
I am a white settler queer cisgender woman who is able-bodied; I recognize that I hold a lot of privilege and also have identities that are marginalized. I have been a guest on the homelands of the syilx Okanagan people for almost a decade, and I have worked as a college counsellor since 2008.
Working from an intersectional, wholistic lens, I support students to tell their story, undo aloneness, cultivate belonging, and tap into their innate ability to heal and grow. Each individual is unique, which means that each counselling process is as well. We will work together to address the issues that brought you to counselling in a way that fits for you.
Credentials:
M.A. (Counselling Psychology with specific career focus)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.) #4596
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)
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)
250-762-5445
Vernon campus
Administration Building (A300)
250-762-5445
Penticton campus
Ashnola Building (PL142)
250-762-5445
Salmon Arm campus
Main Building (SA103)
250-762-5445
