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Back to CAPS pageInformation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender StudentsLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) students face numerous personal, professional, and academic demands while in college. We recognize that LGBT students experience unique stressors. CAPS offers a variety of services for LGBT students at UGA. CAPS is committed to the academic, personal, social and psychological growth of students at the University of Georgia. We strive to be highly accessible while promoting a healthy learning community for students and the University campus. We offer our services with respect for others and appreciation of diversity. Is Homosexuality a Mental Illness or Emotional Problem?The following response is quoted from the American Psychological Association's website. "No. Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or an emotional problem. Over 35 years of objective, well-designed scientific research has shown that homosexuality, in and of itself, is not associated with mental disorders or emotional or social problems. Homosexuality was once thought to be a mental illness because mental health professionals and society had biased information. In the past, studies of gay, lesbian and bisexual people involved only those in therapy, thus biasing the resulting conclusions. When researchers examined data about these people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was quickly found to be untrue. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new, better-designed studies and removed homosexuality from the official manual that lists mental and emotional disorders. Two years later, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution supporting the removal. For more than 25 years, both associations have urged all mental health professionals to help dispel the stigma of mental illness that some people still associate with homosexual orientation." Reasons LGBT Students Use CAPS Services
Who Is Eligible for Services?UGA students and their eligible partners. Cost for ServicesServices are available at a reduced rate for students who pay their student health fee. There is no charge for the initial telephone screening. There is also no additional charge for the initial consultation appointment for students who have paid the student health fee. There are nominal costs associated with additional counseling and psychiatric services and for other services, such as group participation and testing. Financial assistance is also available to those who qualify. Are Sessions Confidential?Yes! Conversations with CAPS staff (either by phone or in person) and your mental health records are confidential and privileged. CAPS staff may not speak with or release your records to anyone outside the University Health Center without your written consent to do so. This includes releasing information to parents, professors, University departments, housing staff, friends, or government agencies. Exceptions to confidentiality may occur under certain circumstances. These exceptions include serious and immediate threat to your life or welfare or the life or welfare of another person or the University community. For more information see CAPS Statement of Confidentiality. What are the limits on CAPS services?CAPS offers brief, short-term individual counseling and limited psychiatric services. Individual counseling at CAPS is designed to focus on specific goals in a short-term model. If you are in need of longer-term counseling or psychiatric services or services that CAPS does not offer, we will assist you in locating resources that may be of help to you. What to Expect When You Call CAPSWhen you call (706-542-2273) or come to CAPS, you will speak with a counselor (either by phone or in person), for approximately 10 minutes. The counselor will assess your concerns, needs, and reasons for seeking counseling. If appropriate for CAPS' services, you will be scheduled for an initial consultation appointment. Prior to this appointment you will be asked to complete paperwork. During the initial consultation appointment, you and a therapist will discuss your reasons for seeking services in greater detail. If appropriate for CAPS services you will be scheduled to meet with a therapist for counseling. For more information see Scheduling an Appointment. Services Offered at CAPS
Our staff can assist you in finding solutions to personal concerns, clarifying options and deciding on a course of action, learning new ways of coping, addressing barriers to academic achievement, and in improving your self-esteem and relationships. Please feel free to contact us at 706-542-2273 if you have questions about our services. For more information see Services Provided at CAPS. Let’s talk about it! Discussion SeriesJoin us each week for a discussion about a wide variety of issues impacting students today. Sessions are drop-in, no sign-up necessary. The groups are open to anyone wanting to learn more about these issues and/or about the LGBT community. LGBTQ…LMNOP! Myths of Bisexuality Coming Out in the Classroom Unspoken Rules of LGBTQ Dating Sexual Health Relationship Dynamics: Intimacy and Codependency Let’s Talk About Sex Butch/Femme Dynamics Home for the Holidays Equal Rights/Legislation LGBT Resource CenterThe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center's mission is to create a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBT community within the University of Georgia community through educational experiences, both in and out of the classroom, advocacy, and support services that promote the personal, intellectual, and academic growth of all students. CAPS works with the LGBT Resource Center to provide a series of discussion groups throughout the semester focused on a wide variety of topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Please call or email them for more information: 706-542-4077 or lgbt@uga.edu. Additional ReferencesThe American Psychological Association (APA) provides information on the meaning of terms including: sexual orientation, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, and coming out. This web site also provides information on identifying one's sexual orientation, the coming out process, why "conversion" therapy is flawed, and why homosexuality is not an emotional or mental problem. YouthResource, a web site by and for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) young people, takes a holistic approach to sexual health and exploring issues of concern to GLBTQ youth. This web site provides information, education, support, and advocacy efforts that support GLBTQ youth. The Gay America site provides ways to connect to the GLBTQ community in various cities across the United States. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is an organization that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. |
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University Health Center
University of Georgia 55 Carlton Street; Athens, GA 30602 706-542-1162 Email the Health Center Submit a Complaint/Concern
The Health Center is
fully accredited by the Joint Commission. 
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