Community Counseling Referral Options

At times when demand exceeds capacity at YSU Student Counseling Services (SCS), students may benefit from ongoing, specialized, or higher‐level care through local community mental health providers. The agencies listed below serve the Youngstown / Mahoning Valley area and surrounding counties. Before referring to an outside agency, SCS staff can help students determine which provider might best match their needs (i.e., trauma expertise, medication management, sliding scale, specialty populations, etc.).

Note: Availability, waiting times, cost structure, and services offered can change. Always call ahead to confirm intake procedures, insurance or sliding scale options with the agency you choose, and whether the provider is accepting new clients.

How to Use This List

1. Assess level & specialization needed.
   1. For example, Hospitalization, eating disorders, providers working with trauma, drug & alcohol, or eating disorders, etc.
2. Check insurance, payment options, and sliding scale.
   1. Many of these agencies accept Medicaid, sliding scales, or public insurance coverage.
   2. Students should ask if their insurance is accepted, or if financial assistance or reduced-fee slots.
   3. Please note that these outside agencies are not covered under YSU student insurance through Mercy Health.
3. Call ahead and ask specific intake questions.
   1. Is the provider accepting new clients?
   2. What is the current wait time?
   3. What is the process for intake (initial assessment, paperwork)?
   4. Does the provider offer telehealth or evening/weekend hours?
   5. Does the provider have specialization in trauma, college-age issues, anxiety, depression, etc.?
4. Maintain updated referral directory.
   1. Because agencies may change services, phone numbers, staff, or capacity over time, SCS staff will periodically verify and update this referral list (at least once per academic year).

5. Support during transition. 

   When referring a student to an outside agency, a student can work with friends/family to choose an agency, or SCS can assist the student by:

   1. Offering to help the student make the initial call or appointment.
   2. Share student’s therapy goals or any relevant background (with consent).
   3. Follow up with the student after referral to check whether contact was made or additional assistance is needed.

Local Community Counseling & Behavioral Health Providers

Note: To check the service area of these locations, look on their website or check NAMI Local Counseling Services Page