Counselling services

Through UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), you have access to unique, solution-focused confidential counselling services and clinically developed resources to help you and your family resolve a wide range of issues. TELUS Health's (formerly known as LifeWorks) professional EFAP counselling services are available in six different formats – from in-person counselling to texting.

In-person counselling is available in English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. Telephone counselling is available in over 180 languages through advanced translation services technology provided by Language Line and hearing impaired clients can be served through Telephone Devices for the Deaf (TTY).

First steps

You and your eligible dependents’ first contact with TELUS Health can be by phone at 1-866-424-0770 or First Chat (an instant online chat service accessible through your computer or mobile device). TELUS Health is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When you call TELUS Health, an Intake Counsellor will spend some time talking with you to:

  • gather your contact information,
  • confirm your eligibility in the program,
  • conduct a risk assessment, and
  • conduct a service needs assessment.

The intake team will then recommend appropriate services to meet your specific needs. If a counselling session is required or requested, they will schedule something within five business days. You can specify any requirements you have for a counsellor (such as language, gender, area of expertise, location) and your preferred method of counselling (in-person, telephone, video, etc.). If your requirements are quite specific, you may need to wait longer than five business days for an appointment.

After your first counselling session, any additional sessions will be booked directly through your counsellor and you do not need to call the TELUS Health phone line to book a subsequent appointment.

If you are in an emergency or crisis and require immediate counselling services, call 1-866-424-0770 and select the emergency option to speak to a crisis counsellor. If you want to arrange an in-person counselling during this call, an appointment will be guaranteed within 24 hours.

In-person counselling sessions

If you choose to pursue in-person counselling sessions, you will meet one-on-one with a trained counsellor. Counselling sessions are around 45 to 50 minutes in length. During the initial call to request services, the intake counsellor will ask you a series of questions to assess your risk level and help understand your current situation. They will then schedule an appointment with the most suitable counsellor. The general wait time to see a counsellor in person is within five business days (non-emergency counselling).

There is no predetermined limit to the number of counselling sessions you can attend; however, the EFAP offers short-term, goal focused counselling and if the counsellor determines that you would benefit from the expertise of a counsellor to address long-standing or chronic issues, you may be referred to an external provider.

Categories of service
Personal/emotional
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Self-esteem
  • Life stages
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Anger issues
  • Gender and gender transition
Couple/relationship
  • General relationship
  • Relationship breakdown
  • Separation/divorce
  • Intimacy issues
  • Communication/conflict resolution
  • Family planning
Family
  • Parenting
  • Child behaviour
  • Adolescent behaviour
  • Blended family
  • Communication
  • Elder related
  • Extended family relations
Work-related
  • Workplace stress
  • Work relationships/conflict
  • Career
  • Retirement planning
  • Workplace violence/harassment
  • Work performance
Addiction-related
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Smoking
  • Gambling
  • Other addictions

Other support formats

TELUS Health's professional EFAP counselling services are available in six different formats – from in-person counselling to texting.

Note: Dependents younger than 16 (18 for First Chat) will need to call TELUS Health at 1-866-424-0770 to connect with counselling services and will require parental consent.

 

In-Person Counselling

In-Person Counselling allows you to talk to a counsellor face-to-face to address your concerns in a private office, in a location that’s convenient for you.

Book an appointment by visiting https://one.telushealth.com or by calling 1-866-424-0770.

 

Telephonic Counselling

Speak with a counsellor on your land line or mobile telephone. This option eliminates the need to travel, and may be suitable if you feel more comfortable with the sense of privacy offered by counselling over the phone. Extended after-hours appointments offer great convenience and flexibility for your whole family.

For Telephonic Counselling, call 1-866-424-0770.

 

First Chat

Connect instantly with a counsellor via online chat! First Chat provides real time online conversation with a counsellor when you or your family members need it most, with no delay or appointment needed. Ideal for anyone comfortable with online chat. You can access this service on a computer or mobile device.

Visit https://one.telushealth.com or access directly on your mobile device with the TELUS Health One app.

 

E-Counselling

E-Counselling allows you to exchange secure email messages with a counsellor anytime and anywhere, based on your schedule. Gain perspective on your situation with words you can hold on to, and engage in a written dialogue with a professional from the privacy of your computer. You can access this service on a computer or mobile device.

Register for E-Counselling through https://one.telushealth.com or directly on your mobile device with the TELUS Health One app.

 

Video Counselling

Another innovation in EFAP counselling: communicate with a counsellor using your computer’s webcam. Video counselling flexibly accommodates busy schedules and allows you to have “real-time”, private, secure and confidential conversations with a counsellor.

For Video Counselling, call 1-866-424-0770 to set up the service.

 

telus health one app

If you are keen to access our EFAP on the go, you can also download the TELUS Health One app for Android and iOS.

Disclaimer

The benefits information on this website is provided as a descriptive summary only. While the University has endeavored to accurately reflect its benefit programs, policies and plans, the information on this website does not create any contractual or other rights between the University and its faculty and staff members. To the extent that there are any conflicts or discrepancies between the benefits information on this website and the benefit plan documents (including group insurance contracts and benefit booklets) or any applicable collective agreement, employment agreement, or UBC policy, the benefit plan documents and collective agreement, employment agreement, or UBC policy will govern in all cases.

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