Case Management Support & Referrals

A referral to an off-campus provider may be appropriate when:

• the UCC’s short-term, goal-focused counseling approach is likely to be, or has shown to be inadequate, ineffective, or harmful;
• the student can be helped more by another office, service, or specialist on or off campus;
• the student’s counseling needs are best met by therapists that offer exploratory, or supportive care, often “long-term”;
• the student is not able to meet for therapy at the UCC’s office located on the Reynolda campus;
• the student is seeking a full psychoeducational or forensic evaluation;
• the student is required to produce a recommendation from a mental health professional to a court of law or government agency; or
• the student needs higher levels of care (partial program, inpatient treatment, etc.), more frequent counseling, or specialized care that the UCC does not provide; 
• Some examples of situations like this include chronic or acute eating disorders, active addiction (alcohol, drugs, sex/porn, gaming), medication management, and severe mood and anxiety disorders that are likely to require weekly therapy for a year or more.

Case management services are also available to students who need assistance connecting to various Wake Forest University and/or Winston Salem community resources. Students do not have to be an active client of the UCC to request this support.

During your meeting (s) with the Clinical Case Manager or another UCC clinician, you can expect:

• A brief review of your insurance plan to determine the process of getting specific information about your mental health coverage.
• A discussion about your presenting concerns, goals for therapy, and history with mental health care.
• A discussion about any preferences you may have regarding the provider, mode of therapy, and your desired treatment approach.
• A review of a list of providers that may be great options for care.
• Assistance with problem solving around any obstacles (i.e. cost, transportation, time) that may arise.
• A discussion on types of follow-up support needed to ensure that a connection has been made with an off-campus provider.

If you met with a UCC provider or the Clinical Case Manager, you were likely provided information for a few off campus provider options. Databases like Psychology Today are also great options for finding mental health providers in your area. Databases allow you to search by your insurance carrier, presenting issues, types of therapy, and other provider preferences. See below for additional National Databases.

• Asian Mental Health Directory
• Good Therapy
• Inclusive Therapists
• Latinx Therapy
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
• Online Counseling Directory
• Open Path Collective (a directory of providers offering reduced rate counseling sessions)
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Therapy for Black Men
• Therapy for Latinx
• Therapy Den

When you call an off-campus provider, it is likely that you will get a voicemail system or an answering machine; therefore, it is best to leave a brief message, including your name, number, information about who referred you, the purpose of your call, and the best times to return your call. If you feel comfortable, you can also share a little information about the concerns you would like to address. Providers may also list an email in their contact information. This is sometimes a more convenient option for initiating contact due to both your schedule as a student and the provider’s schedule.

It is recommended that you choose at least two clinicians to contact at first. You are essentially shopping for the provider that makes you feel comfortable and can best address your needs. Some providers offer free initial phone consultations that are about 15 minutes in length to get to know more about you and for you to ask them any questions you may have. Remember to inquire about this when making the first contact. This is a perfect time to ask about their experience and treatment approach. Reference the Student’s Guide to Navigating Off-Campus Referrals for an example script that you can use when calling or emailing providers and  examples of questions to ask during your consultation.

Things to Remember

• You may have to meet with a few therapists before you find the person who is the best match for you. That is perfectly fine! Taking the time to find the right provider is worth the effort because the treatment will be more effective.
• If you have any questions, concerns or need additional assistance with this process, please call the University Counseling Center at (336) 758-5273 and ask to schedule a meeting with the Clinical Case Manager.
• The University Counseling Center continues to be an available resource for you. We continue to offer daily individual walk-in appointments and a spectrum of group therapy options throughout the semester. We also continue to offer an after-hours counselor-on-call after 5:00 pm on weekdays and 24-hours a day on weekends and during university closures. The counselor-on-call can be reached by calling our office at 336.758.5273.
• The University Counseling Center continues to be an available resource for you. We continue to offer daily individual walk-in appointments and a spectrum of group therapy options throughout the semester. We also continue to offer an after-hours counselor-on-call after 5:00 pm on weekdays and 24-hours a day on weekends and during university closures. The counselor-on-call can be reached by calling our office at 336.758.5273.