Off-Campus Referrals & Resources

Off Campus Referrals & Resources

Off-campus services may be preferred by students and made upon request or it may be recommended following initial consultation from a CAPS counselor. Students who need long-term or more intensive or specialized services will be referred to off-campus resources. Students who would like more services than brief individual or group therapy or whom may request direct referrals to local Ithaca therapists, are asked to meet with a CAPS counselor for a brief initial consultation. This will allow your CAPS counselor to provide several referrals selected specifically for each student's needs, resources, and of availability. Students are responsible for the cost of services received outside of CAPS.

If you would like to find a therapist yourself, the Psychology Today website is an excellent resource that allows you to search for providers by location, insurance provider, types of therapy, gender preference, and so forth. Innopsych and Therapy for Black Girls provides a directory of therapists of color. Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a nonprofit networking with therapists to provide affordable and reduced rates. International students may find the International Therapist Directory useful.

Useful Tips for Finding Therapy Off-Campus

You will probably get a voicemail for your first call; you can leave a simple inquiry message such as:

"Hi, my name is [your name] and I'm calling you on [today's date]. My phone number is [phone number] and I am looking for a therapist. Can you please call me back so I can see if we are a good match? Here are some good times to call me [list availability]."

If you like a therapist on the phone, that is a promising sign, but if you meet with them at least once in person and don't like their style, try to find someone else. Off-campus therapy will cost money, so when you call you might want to ask:

"Do you have room for a new client? Could you describe your therapeutic approach for my situation?"
"What is your fee? Is it based on income?" (that's called a sliding scale)
"How much of your fee do you expect my insurance to cover?"

Your insurance company is the best source of information about cost. Some questions to ask your insurer:

Am I covered for therapy and are there any restrictions?
How much of the fee will I be expected to pay? (This is known as copay and/or deductible, often $15-$40 per session)
Do you pay the therapists directly or will I pay the full fee and then you pay me back a portion?

In Ithaca, the range of full-price fees before insurance is roughly $60-$125. Agencies are more likely to have sliding scale fees or may be able to see you regardless of income.

Ithaca College's Hammond Health Center has a FREE Medi-car service that transports students to and from off-campus medical and counseling appointments on a limited basis (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM). You can call the Health Center at 607-274-3177 for information or to reserve a ride. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Ithaca's bus system (TCAT) is also an inexpensive way to get to The Commons, where most therapists are located (buses leave IC every half-hour).