Drop-in: A Dose of Support

Balancing student life can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Drop in for a “dose of support” with a clinician from Student Success and Experience!

Drop-in consultation is available to students weekly on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3:30 PM at the Student Service Centre (2-180 University Commons). The service runs from October 16 to December 18, 2025.

A “Dose of Support” is

  • A 20 minute meeting
  • Focused on your most pressing need
  • Positive and future-oriented
  • Free and confidential

How to Access

  • In-person sign-up begins 15 minutes prior to the start time.
  • Visit our Check-in table to choose a drop-in slot.
  • Sign-up closes once capacity is reached or 20 minutes before the last slot.
  • Information about other resources will be provided for those who are not able to get a spot.

Get a “Dose of Support” for

  • anxiety and worry
  • stress
  • meeting academic demands
  • procrastination
  • sleep
  • staying positive and hopeful
  • coping strategies and self-care
  • resource navigation

Make the Most of Your Session

We encourage you to consider these four questions before your meeting:

  1. What is your most pressing concern right now?
  2. What strategies have you already tried?
  3. What personal strengths should we know about?
  4. What small change would indicate that things are improving for you?

Our Services

Dose of Support is a collaboration between registered psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists in Student Success and Experience.

Counselling & Clinical Services is a diverse team of clinicians dedicated to providing inclusive, compassionate and affirming mental health care. We offer individual/couples therapy, group therapy, workshops, psychiatric services, consultations and referrals. Our services are free, confidential, and available both in-person or remote. Learn more about Counselling & Clinical Services

Occupational Therapy at the University Health Centre works in partnership with students experiencing any kind of barrier to full and meaningful participation in their everyday lives. Occupational therapy sessions focus on identifying what is important to the student and then creating a plan to navigate their unique challenges and achieve their goals. We offer individual consultation, 1:1 short-term therapy, and student workshops. Services are free, confidential, and available in-person or virtually. Learn more about Occupational Therapy 

Recovery Alberta Liaison is embedded within the U of A campus community and bridges students to off-campus mental health and addiction services. Through individualized assessments, the Liaison supports each student’s unique needs and goals, and facilitates referrals to appropriate community-based programs and resources that support their recovery and well-being. These programs may fall under agencies such as Recovery Alberta, Primary Care Network, and Momentum, among others.

¶®É«µÛ Sexual Assault Centre offers confidential support and education for the entire U of A community, including our Augustana and Campus Saint-Jean campuses. Our services are completely free and funded by your mandatory student fees. We provide both immediate, responsive care — like crisis intervention and psychological support for survivors of sexual, relationship, and gender-based violence — as well as proactive services focused on prevention. We empower students to become peer educators and advocates through volunteer programs, training, and outreach, working together to build safer campuses for all. Grounded in a feminist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional framework, our approach is also trauma-informed and person-centred. Our services are part of the ¶®É«µÛ's Student Health and Wellness services, and are available to people of all genders, sexualities, and backgrounds. Learn more about U of A Sexual Assault Centre

Wellness Supports Social Work Team is a team of Registered Social Workers who provide supportive case management services to students on a one-to-one basis. We work with students to strengthen mental health and wellbeing, promote increased stability in daily life, appropriately share resources, make relevant referrals, and engage in robust coordination with on and off-campus services. We can assist students in the areas of housing, finances, academics, personal wellness, life skill development, family dynamics, system navigation, and any area of life where there is a desire to invite change. Our services are free, confidential, and available in-person or virtual. Learn more about Wellness Supports Social Work Team

Our Clinicians

Manju Ann Antony (she/her) - I am a Mental Health Clinician with the One at a Time therapy Program at the Counseling and Clinical Services Department. With a Master's in Clinical Social Work specializing in Addiction and Mental Health, I emphasize a strength-based model where compassion and validation create a safe environment for clients to share their unique stories and strengths. In my personal time, I enjoy gardening and spending time with my family.

Brittany Budzan (she/her) - I am a psychologist at Counselling and Clinical Services. I am a queer cisgender woman, and have a special interest in working with other 2SLGBTQ+ community members. I take a collaborative and compassion-focused approach in my clinical work. In my free time I enjoy doing embroidery, solving puzzles, reading, and playing video games - basically any activity that gives off cozy vibes!

Eva Chan (she/her) - I am a Registered Social Worker with the Wellness Supports Social Work Team. With a background in community development, settlement studies, and lived experience as an international student and newcomer, I bring an intercultural perspective and a strength-based approach to support each student’s unique journey and growth. I am also a hands-on, creative person who believes in embodiment work and creative solutions. Happy to connect and navigate options together.

Virginia Duran (she/her) - I am the Manager of the Sexual Assault Centre on campus. I have a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, with a specialization in mental health and addiction. I have been practicing as a registered clinician from a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach for over fifteen years. I love adventuring, biking, hiking, listening to podcasts, building puzzles, chats over coffee and tea, and anything wellness!

Ashley Hlewka (she/they): I am the Team Lead for the Wellness Support Social Work Team and a Registered Social Worker. My experience spans both non-profit and post-secondary settings, equipping me to bring a collaborative, creative, and exploratory approach to my work with others. I believe in a context-based practice, recognizing how the systems we navigate shape our experiences, and finding ways to resist or reimagine. Regardless of role or setting, you’ll find me befriending animals, pursuing lifelong learning, and always making space for laughter.

Jason Murray (he/him) - I have been working to support student mental health at the ¶®É«µÛ for 18 years: first as a student intern and resident, next as a psychologist, and now as the Director of CCS. I believe responding to challenges and difficulties in life involves learning, growth, and harnessing our strengths while also and being open to change. I like to learn and dabble in painting, playing guitar, writing, reading almost anything about history and biographies, biking, and tending my garden and cooking.

Jasmine Nathoo (she/her) - I am a Registered Psychologist at CCS, where I have worked since I completed my doctoral residency (also at CCS!). I believe in creating a space where students can feel heard, understood, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges. Growing up in a bicultural home has shaped how I see the world and the way I approach my role as a psychologist. I strive to bring warmth and openness into my work, meeting each person where they are with curiosity and compassion. Outside of work I am passionate about running and reading, and I aspire to get into hiking this summer!

Marienoel Nwungang (she/her) - I am a Registered Social Worker with the Wellness Supports Social Work Team. I work from a strengths-based approach, because I believe each person already has abilities and resilience to build on. My role is to support individuals in recognizing those strengths while also making sure they have access to the right services, resources, and referrals that fit your needs. Advocacy and equity are core to my work, because I know systems don’t always make it easy for individuals to find the support they deserve. Part of my work is helping students navigate those barriers so they can focus more on their studies, goals, and wellbeing.

Jenny Ann Phillips (she/her) - I am one of the psychologists at Counselling and Clinical services. My pronouns are she/her and I am a BIPOC cisgender woman. I enjoy working collaboratively with clients and developing strategies for growth, healing, and resilience. When not working with clients, I like spending time engaging in professional development (e.g., attending webinars, reading books and journal articles), going for walks, and spending time with my fur baby.

Sujata Poudel (she/her) - I am a drop-in counsellor at the campus Sexual Assault Centre. I have a Master’s in Clinical Social Work, with a specialization in individual and family counselling. In my work I draw from different approaches to best support each person’s unique journey. My goal is to offer a safe, compassionate space where the student can feel heard, respected, and free from judgment. When I’m not at work, I love spending time outdoors and playing with my two boys, who keep me laughing and grounded.

Querida Quarshie (she/her) - I am a Mental Health Therapist with Recovery Alberta, bringing a foundation in social work and a commitment to holistic, strength-based care. My practice is grounded in an ecological framework that seeks to understand the full context of each client’s lived experience. I consider it a privilege to be entrusted with supporting individuals through vulnerable and challenging moments, and I approach this responsibility with deep respect and humility. As a racialized cisgender woman, I am mindful of the ways in which identity and systemic factors intersect with mental health and substance use. I actively leverage my positionality to challenge stigma and promote healing within diverse communities.

Christina Spinelli (she/her) - I am the Associate Director of Counselling & Clinical Services and a psychologist. I am Chinese-Italian, and the blend of these cultures has taught me to deeply love and value family, education, mythology, and (above all else) delicious food. My work emphasizes a collaborative approach guided by humility and humour. I am attuned to the present, to patterns, and to empowering my clients in crafting and sharing their stories!

Krista Wilson (she/her) - I am the Occupational Therapist at the University of Health Centre. I take a collaborative relationship approach to therapy and am guided by pattern observation and an activity-focused lens. I strive to create a therapy space that allows for our humanity and humour to show up, and to support the growth of confidence and agency in the individuals I work with. In my time outside of work, I love gardening, camping, and sharing good food with the people I love.