Embedded Counselling Models

Many institutions are either adopting or considering adopting embedded counselling models that use a “hub-and-spoke” approach to deliver mental health services in faculties and/or specialty departments such as indigenous centers and residence dorms.

This presentation discusses 10 case studies of faculty-embedded counselling models from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and the drivers for this model of service delivery,  successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

Please contact the presenters if you would like to share your experiences to help inform the development of a Canadian Tool-Kit on Faculty-Embedded Counselling Models.

Presenters: Gaya Arasaratnam, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Director, Campus Wellness and Support Services; Sandra Yuen, University of Toronto, Director, Professional Practice and Quality Assessment; Cheryl Washburn, University of British Columbia, Director, Counselling

Feature Session: Evolving Perspectives on Campus Mental Health, CACUSS 2019

Competencies: Strategic Planning, Research and Assessment

Download the Embedded Counselling Models: A Tale of 10 Cities Presentation Slides (PDF)

 

Research Articles: 

Canadian Research

Beks, T. A., Cairns, S. L., Smygwaty, S. L., Miranda Osorio, O. A. L, & Hill, S. J. (2018). Counselor-in residence: Evaluation of a residence-based initiative to promote student mental health. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 48(2), 55-73.

Yuen, S., Arasaratnam. G., Washburn, C. (2023). Embedded counseling programs in post-secondary settings. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy
*Embedded Counselling Infographic

International Research

Adams, D. F. (2017). The embedded counseling model: An application to dental students. Journal of Dental Education, 81(1), 29-35.

Boone, M. S., Edwards, G. R., Haltom, M., Hill, J. S., Liang, Y., Mier, S. R., Shropshire, S. Y., Belizaire, L. S., Conklin Kamp, L., Murthi, M., Wong, W., & Yau, T. Y. (2011). Let’s talk: Getting out of the counseling center to serve hard-to-reach students. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 39(4), 194-206.

Broglia, E., Millings, A., & Barkham, M. (2018). Challenges to addressing student mental health in embedded counselling services: a survey of UK higher and further education institutions. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 46(4), 441-455.

Orchowski, L. M., Castelino, P., Ng, H. M., Cosio, D., & Heaton, J. A. (2011). The design and implementation of a counselor-in-residence program. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25(3), 214-258. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2011.556968

Quimby, D., & Agonafer, E. (2022). Culturally Matched Embedded Counseling: Providing Empowering Services to Historically Marginalized College Students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 1-21.

Schreier, B. A., Anderson, C. L., Galligan, P. K., Greenbaum, B., Corkery, J., Schnelle, T., Gates, C., Hong, J. E. & Kivlighan III, D. M. (2021). Embedded Therapists: Who Do They Serve? How are They Funded? And Where are They Housed? A Foundational Survey of Emerging Models. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 1-11.