Overview
Welcome to TalkSpot!
Sometimes you just need a safe spot to talk.

Talking about what’s on your mind can help you:
- spot the problem
- spot skills & solutions
- spot campus and community supports
What is TalkSpot?
TalkSpot is a mental health service exclusively for Mac Eng students. TalkSpot offers informal, confidential consultations with a counsellor through same-day appointments every weekday. You can share what’s on your mind to get perspective, problem-solve and hear suggestions for resources or supports.
What you share with the TalkSpot counsellor is completely confidential and will not be disclosed to faculty, staff, friends or family.
TalkSpot counselling visits are:
- Available to all undergraduate and graduate students within the Faculty of Engineering
- Offered first-come, first-served with no waitlist or intake assessment
- Up to 50 minutes in length, either in person or virtual
- Not a substitute for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment
- Not appropriate for urgent concerns or mental health emergencies
Upcoming Appointment Availability

September 26 (virtual only): Booking opens at 1pm for Same-Day Appointment hours from 2:30-6:30pm
September 27 (in-person & virtual): Booking opens at 8:30am for Same-Day Appointment hours from 11am-12pm & 1-4pm
September 28 (in-person & virtual): Booking opens at 8:30am for Same-Day Appointment hours from 10am-1pm & 3:30-4:30pm. STEM Week Workshop from 2-2:50pm.
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How to Book
The online booking system opens each morning for you to choose a same-day appointment time on a on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Check Appointment Hours
Review this week’s appointment availability in the ‘Upcoming Availability’ section above to find out when you can book.
TalkSpot Online Booking Site
Navigate to the TalkSpot online book site.
Select a Service Type
Select a service type. In person appointments occur in Hatch 301, and virtual appointments occur via Zoom.
Select a Time
After selecting your appointment type, you will see the available same-day appointment times.
If you see “No Availability” that means booking has not yet opened for that day.
Create an Account
Create an online booking account and verify your McMaster email address. You can then confirm your selected appointment time.
Agreement Form
Review your confirmation email and complete the TalkSpot Student Agreement form (5-10 mins).
Once submitted, you’re ready for your appointment!
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Meet the TalkSpot Counsellor

Kaely Danahy, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Kaely is an Occupational Therapist and a Mac Grad. She worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington supporting young people with severe and persistent mental illness before returning home to work with McMaster Engineering students. She is a skilled listener passionate about post-secondary student wellness. Kaely’s brother, a Mechanical Engineer, did his undergrad in BTech, so she has a strong appreciation for the Fireball culture of innovation & excellence (but don’t ask her for math homework help–she didn’t inherit those genes!). You can ask her about her very spoiled cat, Tomato, long-distance running, or her unapologetic love for reality TV.
Kaely Danahy, OT Reg. (Ont.)
TalkSpot – Wellness
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

The World Health Organization defines wellness as:
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
World Health Organization
Wellness is the holistic integration of many different dimensions of human health and activity. Working together, these dimensions support people to satisfy needs, work towards values, and lead full, meaningful lives. Although it always includes striving for health, wellness is more about living life fully.
Consider how you’re currently doing in each of these eight dimensions:
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Academic Wellness
Active participation in learning that sparks a sense of challenge, inspiration, and personal accomplishment. Confidence in your ability to succeed.
- Explore different ways to participate in class
- Connect with your instructors/TA’s & utilize office hours
- Master your time management skills early
- Remember: grades are important, but not everything
Intellectual Wellness
Critical thinking, creative expression, and learning to engage with new ideas and ideologies.
- Learning new things that interest you
- Staying updated on current events
- Attending conferences
- Getting out of your comfort zone
Social Wellness
Having positive, supportive, and trusting relationships that provide you a sense of belonging and connection.
- Belonging to a group
- Leaning on support systems
- Participating in class group chats
- Staying connected to family & friends at home
Emotional Wellness
Awareness of your thoughts and feelings, and an ability to process and express emotions in a constructive way.
- Regularly check in with yourself
- Utilize relaxation and stress management techniques
- Use safe outlets to express emotions (music, journaling)
- Practice self-compassion through positive affirmations/self-talk
Environmental Wellness
Existing in safe, clean spaces, and contributing to the well-being of your environment.
- Looking after your immediate surroundings (avoiding clutter, cleaning up)
- Environmentally-friendly acts
- Exploring your community and nearby green spaces
Physical Wellness
Listening to and caring for your body and managing stress.
- Sufficient physical activity
- Balanced, nutritious diet
- Regular sleep routine
- Safe sexual health
- Preventative Medical care
Financial Wellness
A sense of security in your the ability to meet basic needs (housing, food, clothing) and pay for required expenses (ie. tuition).
- Create and follow a budget
- Utilize resources for financial aid and awards
Spiritual Wellness
Using your beliefs, values, and ethics to guide you through life and inform your actions.
- Participating in a faith (or related) group
- Engaging in campus or community political groups
- Participating in arts-related activities or events
- Charitable work
TalkSpot – FAQs
Expandable List
TalkSpot is a mental health service that provides confidential consultations uniquely tailored to the needs of engineering students through same-day appointments. The TalkSpot counsellor can help you with specific problems and introduce you to what it’s like to speak with a trained mental health clinician.
You can share what’s on your mind to get perspective, problem-solve and hear suggestions for resources or supports.
This service is open to all undergraduate and graduate students within the Faculty of Engineering. TalkSpot is the best fit for the following people:
- Students who have never been to counselling before, are not sure if it’s right for them and wonder what it’s like to talk with a counsellor
- Students who are not interested in ongoing counselling but would like the perspective of a counsellor
- Students who have a specific problem and would like to talk it through with someone
- Students experiencing academic or personal issues who are not sure whether their challenges warrant professional support
- Students who are interested in learning more about what campus resources are available to them and how to access them
Appointments are booked same-day on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The online booking system opens each morning for you to schedule an appointment during the available appointment hours for that day.
Occasionally when it’s very busy, the TalkSpot counsellor might not have enough time to see everyone. However, there are TalkSpot hours every day, Monday through Friday, so you can try again the next day.
Depending on your preference, your session will take place via videoconference or in a private office with wide, cushioned chairs. The office door has a blind that can be pulled down for privacy. During your session, the TalkSpot counsellor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective and suggestions for resources.
Counsellors with both TalkSpot and the Student Wellness Centre are trained mental health clinicians from Regulated Health Professions (governed by legislative framework and colleges which regulate the professions in the public interest). You might also refer to them as therapists.
All students at McMaster University can access the Student Wellness Centre to meet with a counsellor and sometimes participate in weekly or biweekly appointments after completing an intake procedure.
TalkSpot is only offered to students within the Faculty of Engineering, as a convenient same-day service and does not provide weekly or biweekly appointments. Students can meet for an appointment with a trained counsellor who is familiar with the unique challenges facing Engineering students.
Absolutely. The TalkSpot counsellor will talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way forward.
There is no wrong answer to this! TalkSpot is a safe, confidential, accessible service that you are welcome to visit through a same-day appointment if you’re ever unsure. If you and the TalkSpot counsellor decide that ongoing counselling is right for you, the counsellor can help make the transition as smooth as possible by phoning ahead together or walking over with you, if you are comfortable.
Absolutely. All co-op students can visit TalkSpot, either in person or virtually, regardless of whether you are on a work term. You can talk about what’s going on to get it off your chest, discuss potential coping strategies and make a plan to move forward. The only limitation is that you must be within the province of Ontario.
Due to the brief and informal nature of TalkSpot visits, the TalkSpot counsellor is not able to complete medical documentation for students. However, you can visit TalkSpot if you would like to discuss your mental health challenges and problem-solve how to best submit the appropriate documentation for your needs.
If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it’s best to call the Student Wellness Centre directly (905-525-9140 ext. 27700) and explain your situation.
Since regular counselling visits are not available at TalkSpot, following up with the referral is a good idea. You can ask your counsellor through the Student Wellness Centre for support around how to follow up if you are unsure. If you have done this already and are still feeling intimated by the process of reaching out to a new healthcare provider in the community, you are welcome to make a same-day TalkSpot appointment and you and the TalkSpot counsellor can make the phone call together.
TalkSpot – Events & Workshops
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Thriving Under Pressure Workshop
September 28, 2023 2:00pm to 2:50pm, Mills Library L215
With so many deadlines coming all at once and pressure starting to build up, it might be difficult to tackle them all. TalkSpot Counsellor Kaely Danahy and SSC Academic Coach Colleen DeKlerk have teamed up to share tips and tools to help you manage stress and tackle your tasks effectively.
This workshop is part of STEM Week, brought to you by the Student Success Centre (SSC).