Message from the Windsor Law Clinical Therapist
Attending law school can be a dynamic and rewarding experience for students, but it can also present its own set of challenges for students due to the rigorous academic schedule and heavy course load. According to the Canadian Bar Association 58% of lawyers, judges, and law students experienced significant stress/burnout, while 96% of law students experience significant stress. Law students are at a higher risk of stress and mental health issues due to age group and academic demands.
Students seeking support are encouraged to schedule therapy sessions, during which we can collaborate to address various issues such as coping with academic stress, balancing school and personal life, and navigating other unique challenges.
Common Self-Reported Mental Health Concerns Face by Law Students include:
- Anxiety
- Mood Concerns
- Academic Concerns
- Relationship Concerns
In addition to counselling services, the law school has many resources to help you work on your own timeline. These are available below in addition to clinical therapy sessions. It is normal to experience struggle through your law school career, I am here to work with you to mitigate such stressors. Some important things to know are:
Counselling is open to all current Windsor Law students for any issues you might be facing. I see a wide variety of students about many different issues. These issues do not have to be academic. Personal issues may affect your performance in school, and we want you to succeed in your academic, personal, and professional lives.
To receive help, you must ask for help. Sessions are a two-way road, and we can achieve your mental health goals once we start working towards them.
Some common issues facing law school students are imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and ability to balance workload, personal life and job searching. We are well versed in these issues and have clinically proved methods to help. Addressing these areas or any other issues you may be facing is the first step in overcoming them and finding success in your law school career.
Your mental health is extremely important to help you succeed and many law students may struggle with it, but they don't have to. Help us, help you to maximize your capabilities. To contact me, please email lawtherapy@uwindsor.ca.
University of Windsor, Faculty of Law
Meet Our Clinical Therapist
Lorraine Oloya 
Lorraine is a Registered Social Worker who is currently completing her PhD at the University of Windsor. With over a decade of experience in mental health she has a strong background in providing psychotherapy to post-secondary students and has a holistic understanding of the experience of law students. Lorraine’s areas of focus include anxiety, mood disorders, substance use, life transitions, grief, and trauma.
Lorraine utilizes a collaborative and strengths-based therapeutic approach. She assists students in recognizing and utilizing their resources, promoting greater self-compassion, self-awareness, and understanding of personal values to support their goal achievement. Lorraine embraces person-centred care, respecting individuals' unique identities and experiences. She conscientiously creates a safe and supportive atmosphere for all her students.
Resources Available at Windsor Law
In 2016 Windsor Law, in partnership with the University of Windsor’s Student Counselling Centre (SCC), employed a Clinical Therapist to work directly with registered law students. In the spring of 2019, this program was expanded with a second part-time Clinical Therapist, Black Student Support and Wellness. The Clinical Therapists provide completely confidential mental health counselling, consultations, referrals, and support at no cost to students.
Law school can be a dynamic, energizing experience. It can also present challenges. Outside of academic pressures, students may have to deal with stresses related to:
- Physical or mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety)
- Family issues/ conflict
- Concerns around substance use
- Relationship issues/ endings
- Illness or death of a loved one
- Living away from home
- Processing distressing events
- Financial stress
Sometimes coping with one or more of these stresses can be overwhelming. Windsor Law’s Clinical Therapists and the professional staff of the Student Counselling Centre are here to help. The University offers short-term counselling and therapy services to enrolled students during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Learn more about Counselling Services at Windsor Law.
An Elder in Residence is a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis person who adopts the role of surrogate grandmother or grandfather and is available on campus to counsel students, faculty, and staff for mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health needs from a holistic Indigenous perspective. Elders have a great deal of life experiences and immense knowledge with specific expertise in the Indigenous Culture and traditions they are eager to share with younger generations.
The Windsor Law Mental Health and Wellness Initiative is a collective of law students in collaboration with the Clinical Therapist focused on promoting positive mental health, breaking down stigma and shame surrounding mental illness and mental health conversations, and providing mental health advocacy for our fellow students.
We work towards these goals by providing a supportive space for discussion/activities relating to well-being and hosting various events and advocacy initiatives. Our vision is to create social leaders who are aware of their own mental health and able to better advocate for and support the positive mental health and wellbeing of others in our community.
We run events throughout the year, including “Wellness Wednesdays,” and aim to spark meaningful conversations about mental health, to inspire school-work-life balance, give students tools and reminders to care for themselves now and into their careers.
Follow us on:
Self-directed self-help. Take a self-assessment and work on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) modules for Anxiety, Depression, Substance use, Relationship issues, Pain Management, and more. Sign up for free with your @uwindsor.ca email account.
Click here to learn more.
Peer Mentorship Program has been helping ease the transition into 1L by matching first-year students with upper-year mentors who share similar academic and social interests.
Click here to learn more.
After Hours Support
Crisis Services Canada (CSC) is a national network of existing distress, crisis, and suicide prevention line services. We are committed to supporting any person living in Canada who is affected by suicide in the most caring and least intrusive manner possible.
We offer a safe place to talk - any time, in your own way. We want to ensure that no matter where you live in Canada, support is never far away. Browse our database to find additional support resources in your region. If you are having thoughts of suicide, you don’t have to face them alone. We are available if you need a safe and judgment-free place to talk. Our responders are here to listen to you, support you, and keep you safe.
Community-Based Crisis Support for anyone living in Windsor-Essex County. Therapeutic interventions, medication evaluation, and monitoring, and health teaching/coaching. Timely Psychiatric assessment and consultation to individuals requiring diagnostic clarification treatment and/or management recommendations
24/7 telephone crisis response service for those who require immediate assessment, psychosocial intervention, and support: 519-973-4435
Free, confidential coaching, counselling, peer support, and resources for Lawyers and Law Students. MAP is a confidential service designed to help members achieve their health and wellness goals. Lawyers, paralegals, law students, judges, other legal professionals, and their families covered by the MAP are provided with confidential, single sign-on access to several innovative online services, including information, tools, and resources.
Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions, and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365.
Helpful on-Campus Services
Student Health Services is your family physician's office on campus. Providing confidential, student-centred health care, including comprehensive medical care, counselling, and referrals.
Even if you opt out of the student health and dental plan, you are still welcome to see our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and administrative staff.
Click here for more information.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is committed to working with the entire campus community in creating equal access to higher education for all academically qualified students who may have disabilities.
Click here for more information.
If you are in need of support but aren't sure what you should do or where you should go for help, you can start by speaking to Dusty at the Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention Office. She is here to listen. What happens next is up to you. Please know that you can seek her support without any obligation to formally report. You can also seek support regardless of when the assault occurred - whether it was recently or a long time ago, you deserve to be heard.
Click here for more information.
Turtle Island provides support to self-identified First Nations, Metis and Inuit students to reach their highest potential in a culturally supportive atmosphere.
Click here for more information.
Lancers Recover is a collegiate recovery program at the University of Windsor that provides a safe and affirming environment where students in recovery from alcohol and substance use can receive the assistance and support they need to achieve academic and personal success. Lancers recover facilitates a supportive, stigma-free community of students in recovery through weekly meetings aimed at providing individual, academic, social, and recovery supports.
Click here for more information.
The Peer Support Centre is a drop-in centre where students from across campus can find a supportive peer to talk to. It’s a safe and inclusive space where trained peer support volunteers offer peer counselling to students.
Click here for more information.
Access the resources available to support you in maintaining your wellbeing, mental health, and balance during your university career and to set you up for success in life. Resources, Services, Self Help Tools, Events, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.
Click here for more information.
Walksafe is a free service provided for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors at the University of Windsor. Walksafe is a student-run, student-staffed volunteer program provided by the UWSA to ensure that everyone at the University of Windsor feels safe on our campus when travelling at night use this service anytime you want a walk to your home or car.
Click here for more information.
The University of Windsor Students Association (UWSA), negotiates a health and dental plan on behalf of students. This service is provided for all University of Windsor students to reduce extended healthcare costs for those not currently covered by a benefit plan. (Often benefit plans through parents/guardians cease at age 18; some students have plans through spouses or workplaces). Students have the opportunity to opt out of the plan if they show proof of alternate coverage. The policy coverage ceases on August 31st of each year.
Click here for more information.
The UWindsor PRIDE Campaign is run by the UWindsor PRIDE Committee, a collection of faculty, staff, and students in our UWindsor community.
The Committee is made up of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual/aromantic, and more) and accomplices (our favourite new term for allies). We work to foster social, academic, and personal growth for all individuals in the UWindsor community, through support, awareness, promotion, and education regarding 2SLGBTQ+ issues, rights, and experiences.
The Womxn’s Centre operates as a free campus service providing a safe space and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and expressions. As an actively pro-choice, feminist space, the Womxn’s Centre provides guests with resources and information, as well as a positive, supporting environment and redirection to more specific resources if required.
Click here for more information.
We provide innovative recreation programming to enrich the University of Windsor student experience and support student well-being through engagement in recreation and leadership opportunities to foster a lifetime commitment to personal development.
- Intramurals
- Aquatic centre
- The Forge Fitness Centre
- Yoga
- Martial Arts
- Personal Training
Click here and here for more information.
The Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility is responsible for education, human rights inquiries and complaints, ombuds functions related to human rights, equity and accessibility, government reporting, policy development, and any other matters requiring accountability in these areas at the University of Windsor.
Click here for more information.
The University of Windsor is committed to respecting the religious, cultural, and spiritual beliefs and practices of all members of the university community. On-campus chaplains are here to address the spiritual, religious, faith, and ethical needs of those involved in the university. All students are welcome to link to the Chaplaincy network, including our Muslim Chaplain.
Click here for more information Chaplaincy Network
Click here for information on the Multi-Faith Space
Helpful off-Campus Services
Windsor- Essex Canadian Mental Health Association
*If you prefer to seek private counselling off-campus, the UWSA negotiates and provides a Health & Dental Plan for all students, including some coverage for mental health counselling. See Student Health & Dental Plan for more information. For a list of private practitioners see psychologytoday.com or eMentalHealth.ca
Additional online resources:
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)