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Students have access to the following services through TimelyCare:   

• Scheduled Counseling: appointment-based, individual mental health sessions with a licensed counselor.
• TalkNow: on-demand access to a mental health practitioner to talk about anything at any time.
• Health Coaching: scheduled appointments to help you address and maintain optimal sleep, nutrition, exercise, weight, and stress management strategies for a holistic well-being approach.
• Group Sessions: weekly guided meditation and yoga group sessions, plus specialized discussions throughout the year.

TimelyCare is available to all full-time and part-time, undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students.  
 
Due to healthcare provider licensing laws, TalkNow is the only service available to students living or traveling outside of the United States.

International students studying in the U.S. must use a phone with a U.S. phone number or a laptop to access TimelyCare’s services.  
  
Due to healthcare provider licensing laws, TalkNow is the only service available to students living or traveling outside of the United States. In order to use TalkNow internationally, students must download the TimelyCare app in the U.S. prior to international travel and either use a U.S. phone number or connect to a VPN on a laptop – if local internet laws permit. 
  
Students studying at Northwestern University in Qatar should use the campus’s existing counseling and wellness resources.
  
Students who are studying abroad should use the resources provided through GeoBlue for Students.

TimelyCare’s Scheduled Counseling and Health Coaching appointments are available days, evenings, and weekends. TimelyCare’s on-demand TalkNow services are available 24/7. 

There is no right or wrong option. We encourage you to reach out to the Northwestern support service that is right for you. Both CAPS and TimelyCare are equipped to meet a variety of mental and emotional health needs and can also assist you in getting connected to other services, if needed. Since TimelyCare offers evening and weekend appointments, it might be a good option for students who would like to access a provider outside CAPS’ normal office hours. 

If you are still not sure which option is best for you, you can initiate services with CAPS and a counselor can assist you in making that decision.  

TimelyCare and CAPS provide similar services. They both provide students the opportunity to initiate mental health services at no additional cost to them. Students who initiate ongoing Scheduled Counseling sessions through TimelyCare will be seen by licensed mental health professionals.   

Some differences include:   

• All TimelyCare services are provided remotely via video or phone. At CAPS, students can receive services remotely or in-person.  
• Psychiatric services are available to students through CAPS but not through TimelyCare.  
• CAPS services are offered Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. TimelyCare’s Scheduled Counseling appointments are available days, evenings, and weekends. TimelyCare’s on-demand TalkNow services are available 24/7. 

If you are in crisis or having a mental health emergency, please call CAPS at 847-491-2151 or walk over to the CAPS office at 633 Emerson St. during our normal office hours of Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you will be connected to one of our counselors. A counselor can be made available on the Chicago campus with advance notice.

After hours and on weekends, press “0” at the prompt and you will be connected to our crisis service. 

If you or someone you are supporting needs medical attention (e.g., serious wound or injury, overdose of medication or other substance), please call 911 immediately.   

As part of your agreement to the Terms of Service when you register your account, your records will be shared with licensed medical providers and counselors at Northwestern. If you want to share your records with a physician outside of TimelyCare, you can print or email your records, or call 833-4-TIMELY to send a copy of your records to your provider.

TimelyCare is provided to Northwestern students at no cost.

No. Insurance information will not be provided to TimelyCare.  

Desktop Users

1. Visit timelycare.com/northwestern.
2. Click "Sign In" at the top right of the page.
3. Register for your account using your Northwestern email address and set up your profile.
4. Press "Get Care" to get started.

Mobile Users

1. Download the TimelyCare app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Register for your account using your Northwestern email address and set up your profile.
3. Press "Get Care" to get started.

Please contact TimelyCare’s customer service team at 833-4-TIMELY (84-6359) or help@timely.md if you need help scheduling a visit, want to share a concern, or have any other issues or questions.