Private Therapy Referrals

Private Therapy Referrals

Some students prefer to be referred to therapists outside of the university rather than seek counseling at Fordham. If you would like help in finding a therapist off-campus, please either make an appointment or come during our walk-in times (RH & LC), and we will be happy to help you.

We understand that finding a therapist with whom you feel comfortable can be challenging, and even a little scary. Here are some tips for finding the right therapist for you:

If possible, get a recommendation from someone. Talk with professionals at CPS or with your private doctors about therapists or agencies in your area that come highly recommended. If you are seeking therapy out-of-state and do not know who to seek out for referral information, consider contacting local graduate schools in psychology to ask for referral recommendations.

Ask potential therapists about meeting for an “initial consultation” appointment. During this consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask the therapist any questions you might have about their education, experience, or therapy style.

When you meet with a therapist for the first time, feel free to ask questions. It’s perfectly reasonable to want to know about how your therapist works and what her/his therapy style is. You may want to talk about what kind of therapeutic approach s/he uses and what that approach looks like in a therapy session. You may also want to know whether or not this therapist has experience working with the particular issue(s) you want to focus on.

Don’t forget to talk about logistics. Ask potential therapists about their fees and about whether or not they accept insurance or are willing to “slide” their fees down for students. Ask about their cancellation policies and find out what to do if you are ever in crisis.

Come to your session prepared with your insurance information. Call your insurance company to find out whether or not you have mental health coverage with your insurance, and if you can see an “out-of-network provider” for therapy. If you are not from NY, be sure to ask your insurance company if you can see therapists who are not working in your home state. If you don’t have insurance, consider applying for Health First insurance (see www.healthfirstny.com for details) or for Emergency Medicaid (1.877.472.8411).

Remember, it often takes several sessions before clients feel really comfortable with their therapists; it’s okay if things don’t feel “perfect” right away! That said, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your therapist, so take the time to find a therapist who feels like a good “fit” for you.

Listed below are several low-fee referral resources in the area. Feel free to contact us with any questions about these facilities:

The New York Counseling Center
Individual therapy helping you to accomplish your individual goals through self-understanding/awareness. Medication consultation/follow-up also available.
212.362.1086
160 West End Avenue (at 66th Street), New York, NY

Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy
Individual therapy helping you to accomplish your individual goals through self-understanding/awareness. Eating issues, specialized therapy for eating disorders, groups, specialized program for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered clients
212.333.3444
1841 Broadway (at 60th Street), New York, NY

National Institute for Psychotherapies
Individual therapy helping you to accomplish your individual goals through self-understanding/awareness.
212.582.1566
330 W. 58^th St., New York, NY

Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services
Individual therapy helping you to accomplish your individual goals through self-understanding/awareness. Medication consultation/follow-up also available.
212.632.4720
160 West End Avenue (at 66th Street), New York, NY

St. Vincent's Walk in Psychiatric Clinic (appointments also available)
Medication consultation/follow-up
212.604.8220
144 West 12th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), New York, NY

Columbia Psychopharmacology Center
Medication consultation/follow-up
212.305.9758
180 Fort Washington Avenue (at 167th Street), New York, NY

Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Individual Therapy focusing on how erroneous thoughts can negatively affect feelings and behavior
212.686.6886
137 East 36th Street, New York, NY

Parnes Clinic
Individual adult, child and adolescent therapy, couples and family therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy
718.430.3852
1165 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY

The Renfrew Center
Eating Disorders Treatment
212.685.6856
11 East 36th Street, New York, NY

STARS (Substance Treatment and Research Service)
Substance Use/Abuse Treatment at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
212.923.STAR
600 West 168th Street

COPE (College Outreach and Prevention Education)
Substance Use/Abuse Treatment at St. Luke’s/ Roosevelt Hospital
212.523.5825
1000 Tenth Avenue