Off-Campus Counseling Resources

Sometimes there are good reasons to seek counseling off-campus rather than from the free counseling services provided on-campus. The nature of some concerns may benefit from longer-term treatment than can be assured by the Office of Counseling Services. This is because the Office of Counseling Services is tasked with serving the entire student body, whereas with an off-campus provider you can have the confidence of being able to schedule as many sessions as you need, with greater flexibility of appointment times, and choice over the counselor you will work with. You may even be interested in seeing your counselor on academic breaks or after graduation, and off-campus providers will still be able to work with you during those times.

Most importantly, it is hard to be vulnerable with someone, and it helps tremendously to find the counselor with whom you feel most comfortable being open about what you're going through, even if that person is not on staff at CNU's Office of Counseling Services. Wherever you decide to seek services, a trusting relationship with your counselor will allow you to get the most out of therapy.

One downside to using off-campus providers is cost. While off-campus providers usually will not provide services free of charge, if finances are of concern, some therapists will work on what is called a "sliding scale," which means a discounted rate for people who could not otherwise afford services. The best place to start if you need to pursue sliding scale services is the Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board (CSB), which can be reached at 757-788-0300. You can learn more about their services here. If you have insurance, it may cover part of the cost of counseling. To find out, including to determine which providers your insurance will cover, you should call the member services number on the back of your insurance card.

Another potential downside is accessibility, if you do not have means of transportation readily available. Thankfully, there are many providers within a few miles of campus, as well as located on public transportation routes. While this may be subject to change in the future, currently many providers are also offering telehealth virtual appointments.

Below, for your convenience, is a list of local providers that has been compiled by CNU's Office of Counseling Services. You should feel encouraged to do your own research to find the therapist who you believe will be the best fit for your needs. If you are planning to use insurance to help cover costs, you should also ask the provider if they take your insurance, or call your insurance company to ask for a list of providers they work with. To do that, call the the member services number on the back of your insurance card.