Student Counseling Services (On-Campus)

Visit the TimelyCare page for information on 24/7, on-demand virtual counseling services.

Counseling Services

Counseling and Psychological Services

During your college years, you may encounter a variety of stressors, which may be related to your academic experience, family, social, and financial matters. Our mission is to provide you with mental health services to improve your emotional wellbeing and to maximize your success at Mary Baldwin University.

We provide a wide variety of services, which include:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Brief individual counseling (up to 8 sessions per academic year)
  • Group counseling (unlimited sessions)
  • Consultation and referrals to community mental health services
  • Mental health educational programs for students, faculty, and staff
  • Consultation/training to resident advisors, staff, and faculty regarding student mental health issues

Our staff provides counseling and/or referral services for various mental health difficulties, which include:

  • Stress management and mindfulness techniques
  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • Grief and loss issues
  • Relationship conflicts
  • Anxiety
  • Procrastination and motivation difficulties
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Alcohol/drug abuse or addiction

Appointments

Scheduling an Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call 540-887-7281 or come by our office at Blakely House.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Location: Blakey House, Main Staunton Campus

Please do not email our office for appointments or to enquire about a mental health concern. We are closed when the university is closed (ie., inclement weather) and during academic breaks (Thanksgiving and winter break) and from June to August.

Fee Information

Counseling Fees

On-campus Counseling Services provide four free sessions for students during the academic year. If a student requires more than four sessions, they should discuss payment for services options (insurance and Medicaid accepted) with Counseling Services or discuss referral alternatives (e.g. community services which may offer options such as sliding scale payments or unlimited free-of-charge group therapy sessions, etc.).

Confidentiality

Confidentiality

Information shared by a student in counseling will be confidential. Professional standards for therapists require that no information, including whether a student is being seen by Counseling and Psychological Services can be released without written permission by the student.

Exceptions to this confidentiality policy are made as a result of legal requirements to report:

  • A danger of harm to self or others
  • The abuse or neglect of a minor. This includes any sexual activity, consensual or non-consensual, between an individual under the age of 18 years old and an adult defined as 18 years of age or older. Under Virginia law, health providers and educators are mandated to report this to local law enforcement.
  • The abuse or neglect of a dependent adult (defined as an adult who has a legal guardian due to their inability to care for themselves).
  • In cases of court involvement, your treatment records may be obtained by a judicial order.

We encourage you to discuss your concerns or questions regarding the limits of confidentiality before or during your counseling with us.

Mental Health Emergencies

Student Mental Health Emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency during our hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), please come directly to our office or call us at 540-887-7281. Our office administrator will assist you in meeting with a counselor.

If you are unable to reach our office administrator or if you are experiencing an emergency after hours:

  • Call 911 or 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
  • Connect with TimelyCare
  • Contact campus security at 540-887-7000 to be connected with professional on-call staff

MBU faculty and staff who are dealing with a student in crisis should also follow these directions to obtain immediate assistance.

Other Services

Other Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Arrow Project Mental Health Services
40 Lambert Street, Building 3 in Staunton

  • Initial 5 sessions paid by MBU; they also accept insurance and Medicaid.
  • For more information, call 540-255-0972

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
Text 435748 (HELP4U)
24/7 availability

Valley Community Mental Health Services
Call 540-887-3200

Augusta Health Hospital
Call 540-332-4000

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call 988
Free and confidential 24/7 support

Free Hotline Mental Health Hotline
Call 800-273-TALK (1-800- 273-8255)

National Helpline
Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Trevor Project Hotline (for LGBTQ+ support)
Call 1-866-488-7386

Trans Lifeline
Call 1-877-565-8860

Crisis Text Line
Text 741741 (Yes! You can text to this number.)

Find your level-up at MBU.
Connect with an Admissions Counselor.