New Clients:
How to Request a Brief Introductory Meeting

​The brief introductory meeting is a free 15 minutes long informal conversation by phone or secure video call with the counselor with whom you'd like to work, so we may discuss your questions and what to expect from counseling. If we can assist you, we’ll schedule your first counseling appointment. If we can't meet your needs, but know of a colleague who may be able to help you, we'll forward you their contact information.

This informal conversation is not a clinical assessment or a counseling session. However, what you discuss will remain confidential unless the counselor is concerned about your safety or someone else's.

Current Availability

• Dr. Cruz-Ortega is not accepting new clients at this time
  • Services available in-person (Columbus, Ohio) and via secure video call (telehealth).
    • Telehealth sessions are only available to residents of Ohio, Florida, and states that participate in The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). Click here to see a map of the 34 states that participate in the interstate compact: https://psypact.org/page/psypactmap
• ​Ms. Vargas is not accepting new clients at this time
  • Ms. Vargas offers services in-person (Columbus, Ohio) and via secure video call (telehealth only available to Ohio residents).​
• Please, include the days and times when you are available for counseling sessions in the form below. If there is an opening that matches your schedule, you will receive an email with the day and time of your appointment or with instructions for scheduling your appointment through the online client portal.

Review these links to help you gauge whether we can be helpful

• Services and areas of specialty
• Our training, credentials, and approach to counseling:
  • Luis G. Cruz-Ortega, PhD, LP, LPCC-S
  • Vanessa Vargas, MS, MA, LPCC
• Costs and health insurance​

​If you need immediate assistance...

• Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital's emergency room
• Crisis Line (Central Ohio, 24/7, confidential, free): 
  • 614-276-2273
  • Web Chat: netcareaccess.org
• The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
  • 988 (Call / Text)
  • Web Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat/​
• Crisis Text Line (24/7, confidential, free): Text “4HOPE” to 741-741

If the secure encrypted form is not loading below you may access it here:  https://hushforms.com/drluis