- The Issue: When you finally make the courageous decision to seek mental health or substance abuse treatment, being placed on a long waiting list can be devastating and discouraging.
- The Solution: Western Tidewater CSB’s Same Day Access (SDA) program is a centralized, no-hassle intake program available to the community via phone, email, and walk-in, with no appointment necessary. This model ensures that when you are ready for help, you receive an immediate comprehensive assessment.
- Local Action: If you live in Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight, or Southampton County, you can walk into one of our four local clinics to begin your recovery journey today. After the initial intake session, your first treatment appointment will be scheduled within 10 days.
Making the decision to seek help for your mental health or a substance use disorder is one of the most courageous things a person can do.
It takes immense bravery to look at your life, acknowledge the pain you are carrying, and say, “I need things to change.” You are the hero of your own recovery journey, and taking that first step proves your incredible strength.
But we also know the reality of the healthcare system. Historically, when a person finally mustered the courage to call a mental health clinic, they were met with a frustrating barrier: the waiting list. Being told that you have to wait weeks or even months to speak to a counselor when you are actively hurting is demoralizing. That inner critic we all battle starts whispering, “See? No one can help you. It’s not worth it. Just give up.”
At Western Tidewater Community Services Board (WTCSB), we refuse to let that happen to our community members. We understand that accessible care is paramount to your health and well-being, which is why we offer appointment-free access to the help you need – when you need it.
If you live in the cities of Suffolk or Franklin, or the counties of Southampton or Isle of Wight, relief is entirely within your reach. Our Same Day Access (SDA) program is designed specifically to break down the barriers between you and your healing.
If you are considering reaching out but feel anxious about the unknown, this guide is for you. Here is exactly what you can expect during your first visit and how the WTCSB Same Day Access process works.
What is Same Day Access (SDA)?
Western Tidewater CSB’s Same Day Access program truly sets us apart from other counseling agencies in the community. Instead of a convoluted referral process and agonizing wait times, SDA provides a streamlined entry point into our care network.
Same Day Access is a centralized, no-hassle intake program available to the community via phone, email, and walk-in, no appointment necessary. It means that on the very day you decide you are ready for change, you can speak with a clinical professional who will assess your needs, listen to your story without judgment, and immediately begin formulating a plan of action.
WTCSB’s Same Day Access Program provides trusted, comprehensive real-time relief for individuals in the communities we serve. We are the safety net for Eastern Virginia, and our doors are open.
Where to Go: Finding Your Local Walk-In Clinic
We know that driving long distances when you are in mental or emotional distress is a barrier to care. To ensure accessibility, WTCSB operates multiple walk-in clinics across our service area.
Western Tidewater Community Services Board (WTCSB) has four walk-in clinics serving the cities of Suffolk and Franklin and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton. These walk-in clinics serve as an access point in WTCSB’s Same Day Access Program. No appointment required!
You can visit any of the following locations during their designated Same Day Access walk-in hours:
- NORTHGATE Community Counseling Center (Suffolk, VA)
- Walk-in Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
- FRANKLIN Community Counseling Center (Franklin, VA)
- Walk-In Hours: Fridays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Isle of Wight (IOW) Community Counseling Center (Smithfield, VA)
- Walk-In Hours: Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Saratoga Community Counseling Center (Suffolk, VA)
- Walk-In Hours: Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
For Immediate Mental Health Emergencies: If you are in active crisis, you do not need to wait for SDA clinic hours. WTCSB also offers 24/7 crisis services at the Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) for adults over the age of 18. Located on Godwin Boulevard in Suffolk, no appointment is needed; help is available any time, day or night.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect During Your Intake
Anxiety about the unknown keeps many people from walking through the doors of a mental health clinic. Knowing exactly what will happen can help calm that fear. Here is the step-by-step process of your first WTCSB visit through Same Day Access:
Step 1: The Initial Connection
You can initiate the process by walking into one of our clinics during SDA hours, calling our main line at (757) 758-5106, or filling out the Same Day Access intake form directly on our website. If you submit the form online, you will be contacted within one business day.
Step 2: Paperwork and Registration
When you arrive at the clinic, our front desk staff will welcome you. You will be asked to complete some initial paperwork. This includes basic demographic information, your medical history, any current medications you are taking, and a brief explanation of the reason you are requesting services. We will also collect your insurance information.
Step 3: The Comprehensive Assessment (Intake)
Once your registration is complete, you will sit down in a private, safe space with one of our licensed intake clinicians. This is the core of the Same Day Access visit. This assessment is not a therapy session, but rather a thorough evaluation of your current mental health, substance use history, living situation, and overall needs.
The clinician will ask you questions about your symptoms, your inner critic, your support system, and what goals you have for your recovery. We want to hear your story. It is important to be as honest as possible during this assessment. We are not here to judge you; we are here to ensure you are matched with the exact right level of care—whether that is individual therapy, a substance abuse intensive outpatient program, psychiatric medication management, or peer support.
Step 4: Creating the Plan and Scheduling
After the initial intake session has been completed, we schedule the first treatment appointment within 10 days. This is a critical promise we make to our community. You will not be left wondering what happens next. You will leave your Same Day Access visit with a clear roadmap for your recovery and a concrete date for your first official treatment session.
Removing the Financial Burden
A common fear that acts as a roadblock to care is the cost. Many individuals worry that they cannot afford professional mental health treatment. At WTCSB, we believe that your financial situation should never dictate your access to behavioral health care.
When you fill out your intake paperwork, we will ask about your insurance coverage. We accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optima/Sentara, Humana Military/TriCare, Medicaid, and Medicare, among others.
However, if you do not have insurance, please do not let that stop you from coming in. We are a public, community behavioral health agency. We offer income-based fees and sliding scale payment options for our community members. Our financial counselors will work directly with you during your intake process to figure out a payment plan that is completely manageable for you. Your mental wellness is far too important to be derailed by financial fear.
Help Is Here Now. Let’s Begin.
Living with untreated mental illness, severe emotional self-harm, or active addiction is exhausting. You have carried this burden for far too long, and you do not have to carry it alone for one more day.
Whether you need to break through the barriers of emotional pain, find stability in recovery, or simply need an objective, compassionate professional to help you navigate a major life transition, we are here for you. We provide mental health counseling that helps individuals develop coping skills and confidence that creates personal change. We offer hope and relief!
If you are ready to take that courageous first step, the path forward is simple. You can walk into one of our Same Day Access clinics, call us at (757) 758-5106, or start the intake process online by visiting the Same Day Access page.
You are stronger than your hardest days. Let’s move forward, together.
