about us

About the Student Counseling and Support Center

The Student Counseling and Support Center is the on-campus facility for university-wide use, playing a central role in providing consultation services, including academic support, to students. It was established to contribute to the development of Hokkaido University students as well as the development of education/research across the university.

Clinical psychologists, coordinators, and peer supporters work together to find solutions to the various needs of students.

Greetings

Warm greetings to every student at Hokkaido University!

Starting university life is an exciting step, but it can also bring new challenges. You may find it difficult to balance your studies, daily life, relationships, and personal well-being.

All living beings, including humans, rely on basic rhythms such as sleeping, waking, and eating. However, in humans, these rhythms can easily be disrupted. This happens especially in times of stress, uncertainty, or major life transitions. When worries increase or the foundations that once felt stable begin to shift, it can become harder to move forward with confidence.

At the same time, exploring new possibilities and taking steps toward the future are essential parts of growth. Yet when the path ahead feels unclear, it is natural to feel lost or unsure of how to proceed. This is why having a stable foundation and support system is so important.

If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your life as a student, reaching out to the Student Counseling and Support Centre (SCSC) can be a helpful first step.

You may hesitate to do so—perhaps you are unsure how to describe what you are feeling, or even where to begin. Nevertheless, speaking to someone who will listen and help you put your thoughts into words can be a meaningful step toward change. We encourage you to share your voice with us, so that we can support you in finding clarity, stability, and new possibilities.

The SCSC provides the following services:

  • The Student Counseling Office, where students can seek advice on any concern
  • The Accessibility Services Office, which supports students who need additional assistance in their studies
  • The International Student Counseling Office, offering counseling services in English

Our staff are committed to supporting all Hokkaido University students. Trained professionals will listen attentively and provide thoughtful, individualized support. All consultations are confidential, and your information will not be shared without your consent.

Fumihiko Yamamoto, Director

Purpose/Major Services of the Center

The Student Counseling and Support Center is the on-campus facility which plays a central role in providing consultation services to students.
Clinical psychologists and coordinators provide the following services to find solutions to the various needs of students.

Personal Counseling

Our counseling services include cognitive behavioral therapy, sand tray therapy, and trauma therapy to accommodate your unique needs and conditions.

Consultation

We offer consultation services to faculty, staff, and families of students who may be in need of help.

Accessibility Support to Students with Accessibility Issues

We provide accessibility support including requests for reasonable accommodation.

Group Activities

We provide group counseling on different topics.

Seminars and Workshops

We organize seminars and workshops for students to help them adapt to campus life.

Guidance and Psychoeducational Activities

We offer lectures in orientation programs for freshmen and can send lecturers to regular classes.

Training

We provide Faculty Development/Staff Development (FD/SD) training programs.

Research

We conduct research on student support systems.

What Is Counseling?

Counseling is effective for various issues.
If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us.

Understanding Yourself/Others

Understanding yourself better can lead to understanding others better.

In Pursuit of Solutions

You may not be able to find the solution all by yourself, but you might be able to certainly find it more easily through discussion with others.

For Better Adaptation and Growth

Counseling is helpful not only when you have problems and difficulties but also when you want to improve yourself and learn how to deal with stress.

Structure of the Student Counseling and Support Center

The Student Counseling and Support Center is the on-campus facility which plays a central role in providing the student counseling services.
We are here to ensure you live the best life with the following support structure.

The Student Counseling and Support Center

You can visit this office to seek advice on general topics including career options, studies, research, interpersonal relationships, personality issues, and all facets of daily life.

This is the counseling office to assist the personal development of international students. English/Japanese bilingual counselors who have studied abroad are here to help.

This office supports students with additional needs or disabilities. If you have any difficulties in your academic life, come to us and get the necessary support.

Cooperation with Institutions/Support Organizations inside and outside the university

We take all measures to provide mental health support to students. We cooperate with support organizations within the university such as the Health Care Center, Harassment Services Office, the Learning Support Office, the Career Center as well as all departments/schools, or we can introduce you to outside clinics when necessary.
Do not hesitate to visit us as your confidentiality is fully protected when we work with organizations inside or outside of the university.

For the list of related organizations, see “Related Support Organizations of Student Counseling Office” page.
For the guidelines of the support organizations of Hokkaido University, see “For HU Students Support Guide(PDF)”.

Publications

You can see the overview of the SACC in the SCSC brochure (PDF).
Please take a look if you would like.　
*Chinese version-簡体字（PDF） * Chinese version- 繁体字（PDF）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Become a peer supporter

Hokkaido University takes applications for peer supporters at designated times throughout the year. Peer supporters are paid part-time staff (administrative assistant) of the university. Check out the peer support unit web site or come to the Center for more information.

Thinking about visiting us?

If you would like to make a counseling appointment, please call us, email us, or even just drop by in person. Students with appointments are given priority, so we recommend making an appointment.