Breaking Barriers: How Embedded Counseling is Changing Mental Health Support on College Campuses

Most evenings, as students return from class and settle into their dorms, my workday is just beginning. Unlike most campus therapists who work out of a counseling center, I’m an embedded mental-health counselor at Virginia Tech, meaning I work directly in the university’s residence halls. My office isn’t tucked away in an administrative building, it’s in the heart of the student community, making it easier for them to seek help when they need it most.

At first, some students are surprised to see a counselor in their dorm. I often find myself letting them know that I live on campus, too, and they’ll likely run into me around the building. It helps to make the process feel more natural—less like they’re going out of their way for therapy and more like they’re just stopping by for a conversation.

This role is part of Virginia Tech’s Residential Well-being initiative, a program designed to make mental-health support more accessible. Since 2021, the university has restructured residential life to prioritize student wellness, placing professional counselors directly in dorms to provide therapy, crisis support, and guidance for both students and resident assistants (RAs).

For me, this position is the perfect fit. With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and years of experience working in college housing, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges students face. Before becoming a counselor, I worked as a residence hall director, supporting students through everything from academic stress to personal crises. I watched RAs do their best to support their residents, but they often weren’t sure how to handle more serious mental-health concerns. They cared deeply, but they weren’t therapists. Now, with embedded counselors in the dorms, RAs have a resource they can turn to, rather than feeling like they have to manage difficult situations alone.

There are five of us embedded in Virginia Tech’s residence halls, each with an office in the dorm communities. We work from 2:00pm-11:00pm rather than 8:00am-5:00pm so we’re available when students are most likely to need support. The impact has been significant. The impact has been significant: since the program's launch, thousands of students have sought support through embedded counseling. Whether they came in for just a session or two to navigate academic stress, relationships, or personal struggles, or took the first step toward ongoing therapy, the key takeaway is clear: access to mental health care became easier, and a crucial barrier was removed.

My work in mental health extends beyond Virginia Tech. As a board member for My Friend Abby, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting young people’s mental health, I’ve helped expand access to mental-health resources in other ways. One of my contributions was creating a free motivational texting line through a grant project, which sends daily messages of encouragement to young people who might need a small reminder that they’re not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is a small nudge—a text message, a quick chat in the hallway, or a short counseling session—to help someone feel seen and supported.

At the end of the day, my goal is to meet students where they are—whether in their dorm, in a text message, or in a tough moment. They shouldn’t have to navigate mental health challenges alone. With the right support in place, they don’t have to.

Paul Angelucci Jr.

Embedded Counselor at Virginia Tech

My Friend Abby Inc. Board Member