VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A major provider in mental healthcare services in Hampton Roads has suddenly closed.
Christian Psychotherapy Services has multiple locations: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Newport News.
News 3 went to the Town Center location in Virginia Beach on Monday and discovered the doors were locked. Multiple patients came by only to notice the business had been closed. A few workers were seen carrying out boxes.
One therapist, Dr. W. Lawrence Daniels, posted on social media to let everyone know about the closure. He said it happened Saturday evening and that it was a shock to the therapists.
In a statement to News 3, he wrote, "I am honored to have been a part of the organization for seven years. Dr. Huff led a team of folks dedicated to helping many people in Hampton Roads. His untimely death was a shock and the closing of the organization was a devastating blow to his legacy. It was a total surprise to us. I saw patients on Saturday morning with the full expectation that I would see them there again as did many of my colleagues. Please allow us a little time to regroup and reach out to our patients to transition them to an appropriate practice environment. Whether it is with us as we transition or to a new provider, we will do whatever we can that is in their best interests."
A woman who wanted to remain anonymous told News 3 she had worked there until last summer and that things had gone downhill since the founder, Dr. Page Huff, died last year.
"Some people were here trying to get their stuff out yesterday [Saturday] trying to get numbers to call clients, trying to get information; however, they came and locked them out of the building. Came in and told them they had 20 minutes to get out of the building," she said anonymously.
On Monday, the company's phones were not working and the website did not work either. Through social media, it was evident that some of the therapists at Christian Psychotherapy were working to contact their patients.
News 3 obtained a copy of an e-mail sent to employees. It stated:
"We have reached a breaking point when the company can no longer continue its operations in light of financial obligations that the company has incurred over the last several years."
"As a result, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to close operations and lay off our workforce, which is effective immediately."
This came after an e-mail was sent to employees on Friday stating that their compensation rate would be adjusted. News of the closure came Saturday.
One Virginia Beach resident told News 3 that her daughter had an appointment Monday and showed up, not knowing about the closure. However, he daughter later checked her phone and discovered that a nurse had called Sunday night.
"The practitioner told her that she gave her three months worth of prescription and that the practice had been closed permanently, unexpectedly," said Katieh Brooks.
One provider from Christian Psychotherapy Services reached out to News 3 to share her contact information in case any patients are trying to reach her and said she's happy to connect them with other providers that were at CPS. Here is her information: Crystal Jones, MSN, FNP, Owner Gateway Medical & Mental Healthcare, LLC 1545 Crossways Blvd Suite 250 Chesapeake, VA 23320 408-65-PSYCH (77924) Or 757-912-5561
A therapist Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy sent the following advice for those seeking mental healthcare:
Resources to find therapists if you have insurance:
On psychologytoday.com you can search by insurance type, presenting concern, location, and more. They also have a search option for Psychiatrists for medication management.
Your insurance website
For example: Optimahealth.com You can search you plan for providers in you area.
Other various search engines: Goodtherapy.org, Seculartherapy.org, etc.
These may be specified by need or just not as common as the above resources.
If you do not have insurance and need low cost or free services:
Openpathcollective.org
This site offers individual therapy sessions between $30-$60 per session and couples/family sessions between $30-$80 per session.
Psychologytoday.com
You can also filter by lower cost and sliding scale on this site.
