VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Some former employees of Christian Psychotherapy Services are still tracking down their patients and trying to set up at new practices after its sudden closure just over two weeks ago.
Christian Psychotherapy Services had four locations in Hampton Roads: Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Newport News. Former employees say it had up to 60,000 patients and more than 100 staff.
News 3 obtained a copy of an email that Christian Psychotherapy Services sent to its employees on Saturday, January 9.
The e-mail stated in part, “As a result, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to close operations and layoff our workforce, which is effective immediately.”
It continued with, “We do not know, at this point, if we will be able to fully make payroll on January 19, as we are hoping to receive additional funds by then for prior services rendered.”
Several former employees say they have not received a final paycheck as of January 25.
Meanwhile, some providers have set up at other practices and have been able to contact their patients. Others, like nurse practitioner Crystal Jones, are still making their way down the long list.
Jones estimates she has nearly 1,500 patients. She’s reaching out on social media and stuffing letters into envelopes to mail the ones for whom she has addresses.
Jones also asked News 3 to pass along her contact information to any patients trying to reach her or other providers who were at Christian Psychotherapy Services. She said she’s happy to do her best to get them in contact with their former provider.
Crystal Jones, MSN, FNP:
Owner of Gateway Medical & Mental Healthcare, LLC
1545 Crossways Blvd Suite 250
Chesapeake, Va. 23320
408-65-PSYCH (77924) Or 757-912-5561 Sheryl Clarke, FNP Fountain of Hope
Jones has also set up a GoFundMe page in hopes to provide relief for laid off workers. For more details on that, click here.
News 3 tried contacting the lawyer representing the employee who signed the January 9 email but received no response.
Thomasina Valentine, a former employee, is concerned about the patients, especially during a pandemic when she says treatment is already hard to find.
Related: Finding a mental health provider during a pandemic
“During this transition, we are very concerned about the well-being of our clients and their families in how this sudden information is impacting them,” stated Valentine.
Valentine sent the following contact information to News 3: Practicing as URNVRALONE Services, LLC DBA URNVRAL1 Services
Email - URNVRAL1@GMAIL.COM
"Below are some resources that are helpful for our clients."
1- Hampton Roads Community Foundation Health Center https://www.hrchc.org/
2- Another general medication resource is your local CSB. https://vacsb.org/csb-bha-directory/
3- SAMHSHA. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
