Blue Ridge Center
Service Overview
♦Blue Ridge Center Monthly Calendar
At Blue Ridge Center, we are committed to providing free, confidential mental health services to anyone in need. Our goal is to break down the barriers to care, ensuring that mental health support is available to all, regardless of financial situation, background, or life circumstances.
Why We Exist
We understand that mental health is just as important as physical health, yet many face obstacles in accessing the help they need. Whether it’s cost, long wait times, or a lack of understanding about where to turn, these challenges can make it harder to get support. That’s why we’re here to offer low-barrier, stigma-free services that are simple to access, immediate, and tailored to your unique needs.
Our Services
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Free Counseling: One-on-one sessions with licensed mental health professionals. Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
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Support Groups: Group therapy for individuals dealing with similar experiences. Check out our monthly calendar ♦HERE♦
- Holistic Support: Free Acuwellness offered daily! See flyer here for more information. https://acudetox.com/protocol/
How to Access Help
Getting started is easy! Simply visit our location or call 434-972-1825 to learn more. No insurance or referral is required.
Our Commitment to You
We are here to meet you where you are, without judgment, and provide the resources you need to thrive. Everyone deserves mental health care, and we are proud to make that a reality through our low-barrier, easily accessible approach.
BRC has a new Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program! Check out our links on the right hand side of this page.
FAQs
You can find answers to our most frequently asked questions about this service here. If you’ve got a question we haven’t covered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
During the pandemic, we engaged with the community to better understand local needs, and accessibility emerged as the top priority. Additionally, agency leadership transitioned to using “Center” language across departments. As BRC no longer offers traditional clubhouse components (such as social outings, unit work, or lunch), reopening provided an opportunity to rebrand in a way that better reflects our current model and services.
No we do not, but we’re happy to link up with your Case Manager or other providers to support them in getting transportation set up.
It takes a lot to run a kitchen and as BRC pivoted in the services it offered, so did our capacity to run a kitchen. We’re not sure what we’ll do with the kitchen yet, it’s work in progress!
Unfortunately, no. We only serve adults age 18 and older.
BRC is thrilled to have started a Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MH IOP). If you are a Region Ten consumer, speak to your provider about getting a referral. If you are staff, please email the BRC Director for referral criteria. It is a 10 person capacity with a rolling admission. Participants have Medicaid and an established medication provider.
A Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program allows for engagement in services for 9-19 hours per week. The schedule for the Blue Ridge Center’s MH IOP is Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 9:00am-12:00pm. The three-hour blocks are broken down into one-hour groups (as seen below). We are understanding that life happens, and you may miss a scheduled MH IOP day. Therefore, we offer makeup days on Thursdays 1-4pm.
No. Unlike other departments within the agency, BRC is open to the broader community. We welcome any adult (18+) regardless of where they live.
No, as a low-barrier program, consumers may simply come to BRC anytime Monday–Friday between 9:00am–4:00pm. Staff will welcome them, provide an orientation, review group options available that day, and help determine a good fit. Flyers are available to share.
BRC serves a diverse mix of participants, including:
o Individuals living in group homes, some with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) diagnoses
o Individuals stepping down from the Wellness Recovery Center
o Community members who attend groups independently for ongoing grounding/ maintenance
No, we have several weekly groups that incorporate substance misuse focus, including our SMART Recovery, Substance Misuse Group, Courage to Change, and Co-occurring, all facilitated by a credentialed CSAC.
Cost: BRC groups are free; MHIOP groups are not.
Structure: MHIOP is a more intensive program, meeting three times per week (MWF) for three hours each session (9:15am–12:15pm).
Accessibility: BRC offers low-barrier, open groups that typically meet once per week, with the exception of Peer Support and Acuwellness groups.
Yes. BRC offers:
o A free walk-in clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00–4:00pm (first come, first served; participants request a slot at the front desk).
o A BRC Outpatient program, where our clinician (Steven Le) maintains a caseload that includes both MHIOP participants and individuals seen through the walk-in clinic.
Blue Ridge Center is a good fit for adults (18+) who:
o Are seeking low-barrier, voluntary support in a welcoming, community-based setting
o May benefit from psychoeducation, peer support, wellness-based groups, or brief clinical support
o Are not currently able to commit to a highly structured or intensive treatment schedule
o Are stepping down from higher levels of care and looking for ongoing connection and routine
o Prefer services that are free, flexible, and open rather than referral- or insurance-based