Cook Counseling Center
Cook Counseling Center is expanding services and options to allow for a flexible, multi-faceted approach to meet emerging and varying needs. Students can begin by scheduling a Cook Connect Session. At this 20-30 minute meeting, the Connect Clinician will review student concerns, discuss available resources, and collaboratively develop a plan that will provide the support they need. Connect clinicians will also discuss how students can follow up if needed in the future.
As part of Virginia Tech’s partnership with TimelyMD, students now have free, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare – the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyMD, designed for college students. Students will have access to on-demand mental health support 24/7 through TalkNow, telehealth counseling for up to 12 sessions per academic year, and unlimited health coaching. Register for TimelyCare online or download the app.
The Cook Connect model provides students with the following:
1. Tailored Planning
Our clinicians will collaborate with students to create a plan with personalized recommendations based on the specific student goals with cultural sensitivity to best match the need with the resource.
2. More Support, New Strategies
Students crave more coping strategies and more connection with their peers. We are growing our vetted library of online info and tools, expanding access to our popular supportive groups, and creating new classes to learn more about mental health. These help to promote autonomy and empowerment to build on students' strengths.
3. Faster Response
We have designed our services so that students can be seen as quickly as possible to discuss what is going on and what services inside and outside of Cook can help holistically address their needs.
How to Schedule
To schedule a Cook Connect Session, call our office at 540-231-6557 or use online scheduling to schedule with an embedded counselor within your college or residence life district using the links below.
Embedded counselors can only see students within their academic college, residential life district, or campus location (Northern Virginia and Roanoke campus). If your availability does not align with their schedules, please call our main office at (540) 231-6557. We have Cook Connect (triage) clinicians who typically have appointments available within 2-3 business days.
Students in the Corps of Cadets are encouraged to request scheduling with a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Note: These links may not be used for follow-up appointments or by students not within the designated college or department.
Our Services
An online library of videos, handouts, and other resources created or reviewed by counselors which are accessible to students for self-help or to supplement therapy.
Referral to relevant on and off campus resources such as Hokie Wellness, Career and Professional Development, Services for Students with Disabilities, off campus providers, etc. following an assessment of student needs and goals.
Educational programming designed to enhance the learning and development of students, faculty and staff through videos, live presentations, social media, or consultation.
Structured and time limited educational programming to provide information and build skills related to specific mental health topics such as anxiety or mindfulness.
Outreach services or individual and group therapy involving one of our therapy dogs.
Counselors who serve to connect Cook Counseling Center with campus organizations such as the Cultural and Community Centers through outreach, consultation, and helping students communicate with the counseling center.
Counselors who are housed within specific colleges or programs to provide therapy, assessment, outreach services, and other relevant mental health support directly to the program in which they are housed (e.g., Sports Psychology within Athletics).
Identity based groups that are focused on providing a place for sharing and receiving support and can be led by counselors or other members of the campus community.
Opportunities for students to spread mental health awareness, provide mental health programs to peers, and take on leadership roles through the Peer Assistance for Learning (PALs) program.
Support for academic success, connecting students to academic resources on campus, and resources such as academic relief when mental health is a barrier to academic success.
Therapy can be provided in a group or individual setting. Therapy groups include educational, skill-building, or interpersonal-process based group sessions that allow students to hear multiple perspectives and receive encouragement and feedback from peers in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment. Individual therapy involves short-term, one on one meetings with a clinician to work on specific goals.
Psychiatric evaluations and treatment from a team of psychiatric providers.
Consultation for mental health emergencies available 24/7 by phone or available face to face during business hours
