Referrals

Off-Campus Counseling

The Counseling Center has a Clinical Case & Referral Specialist who can assist students with connecting to mental health resources off-campus.

The Clinical Case Manager (CCM) provides assistance to students who are seeking long-term therapy or medication management, are looking for testing/assessment for mental health concerns, or are interested in services outside of the scope of the WCU Counseling Center (e.g., documentation, court-mandated counseling, etc.). The CCM can either meet with you for a Referred Out Consultation (which lasts 30 minutes – 1 hour) or provide referral resources via email. Whichever option you choose, the CCM will stay connected with you until you are scheduled or decide that you are no longer interested in services.

During your Referred Out Consultation you will:

  • Talk about why you’re interested in meeting with someone off-campus and what you’re looking for in a therapist. This also gives you a chance to share what you like (and don’t like) about therapy and/or your previous experience(s).
  • Discuss what you can expect in therapy and how longer-term services differ from short-term counseling
  • Talk about how your insurance works and call the company to verify how you’re covered for mental health services
  • Figure out next steps in finding support


During your Referred Out Consultation (and beyond!) the CCM will:

  • Answer any questions you may have about finding a counselor, psychiatrist, or other services
  • Listen to your concerns about therapy and seeking off-campus providers
  • Call your insurance company while you are present (either in-person or via conference call) and walk you through the process of obtaining your benefits (including navigating the Call Menu System and speaking with the Customer Service representative(s))
  • Discuss the therapeutic relationship and how different types of therapy may be helpful to address your concerns
  • Help you reach out to providers by sending referral email(s), asking them to contact you to discuss scheduling (with your permission to share information, of course)
  • Follow-up with you and stay connected until you are set up with counseling off-campus
  • Check back in at the end of the semester (or after you’ve been meeting with your therapist for a few months) to get feedback about your therapist and the referral process

What Case Management is NOT:

  • Counseling – our work is focused on helping you get counseling, rather than meeting for regular therapy sessions
  • A Scheduling Service – the CCM provides tools and walks you through the process, but will not make an appointment for you or force you to choose to go to therapy.
  • Forced Counseling - It is your decision whether you’re ready to meet with someone or if you want to wait. Just because you meet with the CCM does not mean you have to schedule
  • An Agenda – the CCM works on your timeline, not theirs. There may be times when they encourage you to be more proactive, but they will not pressure or force you to contact providers

Any questions - feel free to call the Counseling Center (610-436-2301).

 

Thriving Campus

ThrivingCampus is an online directory that allows students to search for an off-campus licensed mental health clinicians and other providers, many of whom specialize in working with college students.  Click here to access ThrivingCampus where you can search and contact an off campus provider.

Off-Campus Counseling Resources

 

Helpful Resources: