Same-Day Counseling: Immediate Mental Health Support From A Counselor

Please note: If you are in crisis or need of assistance, you can contact the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) or the Veterans Crisis Line (call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255).

Most people may think of therapy as something that gets scheduled weeks—and sometimes months—in advance. This type of arrangement often works well for those who have found a therapist they connect with and a therapy schedule that works with their daily responsibilities. 

However, sometimes outside circumstances can make it challenging to schedule a counseling appointment in advance. In these cases, clients may turn to same-day counseling, either through in-person or online services, to continue receiving mental health care when life gets in the way.

How same-day counseling supports mental health needs

Why might someone need a counselor for same-day counseling?

Many people have an ongoing positive relationship with their therapist, which research shows can help clients connect and get the most out of the therapy. However, outside circumstances can sometimes make seeing your therapist consistently or when you need them challenging. In these cases, getting to same-day counseling can be helpful so that your therapy sessions don’t get interrupted. 

Mental health professionals offering same-day counseling

If you’ve recently moved to a new city and can no longer see your previous therapist, you may want to start seeing a new counselor as soon as possible to continue to address your mental health concerns. In other cases, your therapist may have an outside scheduling conflict, such as a family emergency or an illness, that prevents them from being able to see you at your scheduled time. 

Restarting therapy with a counselor through same-day counseling

You may also stop therapy, whether due to a life situation or a change in circumstances, only to decide later that you want to restart your work with a therapist as soon as possible. These are all valid reasons for wanting to schedule and attend a therapy session on the same day that you decide you need to.

What happens during same-day counseling?

Same-day counseling is a way to receive mental health services on the same day you book your appointment. Often, it is a temporary form of mental health treatment, allowing a counselor to address any immediate concerns or challenges. If need be, a same-day counselor can also connect a client with other mental health resources, such as ongoing therapy, psychiatric care, or support groups. 

Mental health professionals offering same-day counseling

There are a variety of mental health professionals who may conduct same-day counseling. These could include social workers, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, or substance use counselors. When you book a same-day counseling appointment, you may be asked to provide information on yourself and your situation, your contact information, a description of what made you decide to seek counseling, or other relevant details that can help a counselor guide you. 

How a counselor supports your mental health

Depending on your circumstances, a counselor will then meet with you for a session (typically one to two hours long) to discuss strategies for managing any challenges you are facing and plan the next steps. This could include attending ongoing therapy, in which case, the counselor may either take you on as a regular client or refer you to another mental health professional. 

Where can I find same-day counseling?

Same-day counseling isn’t always easy to find, but the following resources may be a helpful place to start if you’re looking for an appointment on the same day:

• Schools: Many institutions, like universities and schools, offer same-day counseling services for students and faculty. Generally, appointments are available through the school counseling center or health center. In some cases, walk-ins are also accepted. 
• Personal practices: Although rare, therapists sometimes have same-day openings or cancellations. In these cases, you may be able to start working with a therapist as soon as you reach out. 
• Community resources: Various cities have community resources available to those with mental health concerns, often including same-day counseling. These may include hotlines, short-term counseling, referrals to other services, and crisis counseling. You can often find details of community programs on your city’s website. 

Online therapy for services on your schedule

When it comes to seeing licensed therapists as soon as possible, online therapy may also be an effective and efficient alternative to traditional therapy. An online therapy service such as BetterHelp can offer a quick and easy registration process without the need for insurance or a commute to a therapist’s office. While traditional therapy often comes with long waiting periods, virtual platforms can often match clients with online therapists in as little as a few hours to a day, allowing patients to start getting mental health treatment quickly. 

Affordable and flexible online therapy

Furthermore, the online therapy cost may be a fraction of the cost of in-person therapy, which may also make it more available to clients seeking quick assistance. With online therapy, you can book sessions around your busy schedule and make changes as needed while also connecting with your therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection.

The efficacy of online therapy

Seeing an online therapist has been shown to be an effective alternative to attending in-person therapy. In a 2017 review, online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was found to be efficacious in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, among others. A 2013 study also found that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy yielded more effective long-term results than in-person therapy in treating symptoms of depression.