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Accessing Services

Initial Contact and Assessment of Needs

When you call (706-542-2273) or come to CAPS in person you will speak with a therapist (either by phone or in person) for approximately 15 minutes. The purpose of this preliminary assessment is to assess your concerns and evaluate your current needs.

Telephone screenings are available each weekday during regular hours. You will not be asked to complete clinical questionnaires prior to the telephone screening.

If you are in need of immediate services, you may speak with a walk-in therapist who will determine the level of care that you need and direct you to appropriate services.

During the telephone screening you and the therapist will briefly explore your reasons for seeking services. Questions asked will include information about your current concerns, prior mental health history, and your goals for counseling.

When the brief telephone screening is completed, the therapist will determine whether CAPS services and short term model will meet your needs. If it is determined that you are appropriate for CAPS' services, you may be scheduled for an initial consultation (IAC) appointment to further evaluate your needs and direct you to specific services at CAPS. Referrals to campus and community agencies may be made at the time of the telephone screening or IAC if it is determined that your needs exceed the services offered at CAPS or if you are in need of services not offered at CAPS.

An IAC appointment is required to participate in group counseling and to access a specialty service at CAPS (e.g., medication/psychiatric evaluation or eating disorder, alcohol and drug, or ADHD assessments).

What Happens After the Initial Assessment

After an initial assessment, such as a telephone screening or brief walk-in, your needs and CAPS resources will be considered. If appropriate for CAPS' services, you will be scheduled for an initial consultation (IAC) appointment.

You will be instructed to come to CAPS 30 minutes before the IAC appointment to complete clinical questionnaires. Please be aware that if you do not come in 30 minutes early to finish your paperwork, you may be rescheduled if there is insufficient time to complete the evaluation process. Once the paperwork is completed, you will meet with a therapist and this information will be used to make recommendations and develop a plan to best serve your needs.

The IAC appointment is a time for you and the therapist to explore your concerns and discuss the things you hope to accomplish in therapy. During the IAC appointment additional information will be gathered in order to get a better understanding of your concerns. Although some problems can be resolved during the IAC appointment, other difficulties require more time to address. When additional counseling is appropriate, you and the IAC counselor will decide which resources currently available at CAPS, on campus, or in the community will best meet your needs. If a decision is made to continue therapy at CAPS beyond the IAC appointment, you may meet with a different therapist.

Appropriateness for services is based on a number of factors, including client need, fit with CAPS' brief therapy model, and current availability of clinical resources. At CAPS the care we provide is delivered in a short-term model. Students are seen for 6-10 sessions in order to address their mental health concerns. We strive to make efficient use of our resources in order to be available to the large student population we serve. However, at times the request for services exceeds our capacity to serve. During peak times, students may be referred to other campus resources, community mental health providers, or my experience a delay in accessing on-going care. The clinician conducting your IAC appointment, in collaboration with you, will assist with referrals if needed and provide support until appropriate mental health care is established or you no longer need services.

Referral Options

Referrals Within CAPS

Students who pay the Student Health Fee have access to CAPS' services at a reduced cost.

• Group Counseling - A variety of group options exist that provide you with the opportunity to obtain support and input from peers as well as professionals. Group counseling is the preferred method of treatment for many concerns. Be aware that some groups require a visit with the facilitator, called a group screening, prior to participating. Group services are available for a nominal charge each semester to students who have paid the student health fee.

• Short-term Individual Counseling - If short-term (6-10 session) counseling is indicated, you will be scheduled for an initial consultation (IAC) after the initial telephone screening. Once you are assigned to work with a therapist (after the IAC appointment), you and your therapist will work together to clarify your goals for counseling.

Please be aware that you will be charged a fee if you fail to keep an appointment or do not cancel an appointment by 5:00 pm the working day prior to the appointment.

• Psychological Testing - Testing can offer invaluable information. A therapist may make a recommendation regarding particular tests that may be helpful in clarifying your concerns and in suggesting treatment recommendations. You will be given an opportunity to review any test results with a therapist. There are additional fees associated with all tests.

• Couples Counseling - Brief counseling designed to address relationship concerns is available to students and their student/non-student partners.

• Psychiatric Evaluation - When appropriate, CAPS therapists may refer you to a CAPS staff psychiatrist for an evaluation. Once the evaluation is completed, treatment options will be discussed including treatment at CAPS or referral to a community psychiatric provider. A referral will be made if your needs exceed our scope of service.

• Structured Groups and Workshops - Structured groups and workshops are offered by the CAPS professional staff. As part of your treatment recommendation, your therapist may suggest that you attend one of these groups or workshops.

• Relaxation Room - The relaxation room is a private room that you may schedule for viewing client educational materials and audio/videotaped relaxation exercises during CAPS working hours.

Referrals Outside CAPS

If your concerns exceed the scope of CAPS' short-term counseling focus, if specialty services are required, or if adequate counseling resources are not available at CAPS, your counselor will assist you in obtaining services outside of CAPS. The cost of such therapy is not included in your student health fees. Your counselor will discuss options for therapy, taking into consideration your financial situation.

At certain times during the semester, the demand for counseling services exceeds CAPS' counseling resources. At these times, students may be provided with referrals to other campus or community resources or private practitioners in the community.

Referrals may be made to:

• Long-term or more intensive counseling or psychiatric services in the community

• Other campus agencies or departments

• Other UHC services