Counselling > Prepare for your appointment

If you need immediate support outside UFV Counselling’s hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm), the following resources are available 24/7:

UFV Security: 1-855-239-7654 or local 7654 from a UFV phone
Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 (available 24/7) or dial 1-800-784-2433
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Youth in BC Distress Line: 604-872-3311
Indigenous Helplines:
- KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310
Emergencies: 9-1-1 (or 9-9-1-1 from a UFV phone) if there is an immediate safety risk
Community resources: Call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 website

For non-urgent concerns or to connect during office hours, please contact us.

For personal crises after 4:30 pm or on weekends (when UFV Counselling is closed), contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.

What you need to know before booking your appointment

UFV Counselling is here to support you. Use this page to find out how to book a session, what to expect, and what to do if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Cost

UFV Counselling services are offered at no cost to eligible UFV students.

Eligibility

All UFV students who are registered and attending courses within the current term are eligible for counselling services.

Book your first appointment (first-time visitors)

If this is your first time booking a counselling session, start by clicking the button below. It will take you to our step-by-step guide, which will help you navigate the portal and book your appointment with confidence.

Visit the guide to booking your first session

Book or change your appointment (returning visitors)

If you're already seeing a counsellor at UFV, click the button below to re-book, cancel, or change your appointment. If you are unable to access the portal for any reason, please feel free to contact the Front Desk.

Book or manage your appointment

Confirmation & reminder

After you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will have the date, time, and session details. If you opted for text messages in your profile, you'll receive a text and email reminder. You'll get these reminders 48 hours and 2 hours before your appointment.

Session length & frequency

Individual therapy sessions are usually 50 minutes. Every client's situation varies. You and your counsellor will decide together how often to meet, based on your therapy path.

Be on time

Please arrive on time to get the most out of your session. If you're late, your session might be shorter. This helps keep things on schedule for the next student. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may need to reschedule your session.

For virtual or phone sessions, remember to check in via the Student Health & Wellness portal. This lets your counsellor know you’ve arrived. If your session is virtual, your Zoom link will appear in the portal once you check in and your counsellor is ready to meet.

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call us at 604-854-4528 (Abbotsford), 604-795-2808 (Chilliwack), or send us an email at ssfrontdesk@ufv.ca.

Hours of operation

We're open at both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack (CEP) campuses during these hours:

Monday to Friday: 9 am–4:30 pm
Closed on weekends and holidays

Visit our Student Health & Wellness portal to see what's available. You can also contact the front desk.

Your privacy

Your counselling sessions are confidential. UFV does not keep counselling records in your school, academic, or work files. What you share in your appointments, including the fact that you visited, stays private and will not be disclosed without your written permission, unless required by law.

Confidentiality may be broken only in specific situations:

If a counsellor learns about or suspects abuse or neglect of someone under 19
If there is a clear and imminent danger of harm to yourself or others
If required by a court order

Please note that UFV counsellors work collaboratively as a team. Your counsellor may consult with colleagues to ensure you receive the best possible support.