Myths and Realities About Counseling at CAPS

Myth: Counseling is only for crazy people.

Many people who attend counseling are bright, skilled and stable people. These individuals are often struggling with problems in a specific area and seeking personal growth and development. Stressors and difficulties are a part of life for all people and may increase significantly when in college. Many people would argue that the ability to ask for and accept counseling help represents clear evidence of intelligence and sanity.

Myth: Counseling is only for problems that are severe.

Most individuals seek counseling for common issues like relationship problems, stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It is true that counseling can be helpful for individuals suffering from severe problems; however, most often students seek counseling for relatively mild to moderate concerns. Additionally, attending counseling can prevent problems from becoming more severe. At CAPS we see students with a wide variety of concerns (e.g., relationship break-ups, roommate conflict, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief/loss).

Myth: CAPS services are not affordable.

Initial phone screenings and intake appointments are free for eligible students. Students who pay the health fee for the semester are eligible for services at a discounted rate. We also have a Parent and Family Grant that allows us to offer further discounted or free services to qualified students who apply.

Myth: Everyone will know I’m seeing a counselor.

Counselors are bound by professional ethics and state law to protect your confidentiality and privacy both during counseling and after counseling ends. Only in extreme cases where there is imminent danger, the suspicion of abuse of a child or elder person, or if a judge mandates release of counseling records can confidentiality be broken. Outside of these circumstances, information can only be released if you share it or you provide written authorization to release that information. Your CAPS record is part of your medical record and can be viewed by specific medical providers at UHC only when deemed necessary by the medical provider and the CAPS clinician. Further, as part of confidentiality, your CAPS records are kept separate from your academic records. No one outside of the University Health Center can know if you've attended CAPS or what you've discussed unless you give written permission to share this information.

Myth: If I talk about drinking alcohol or doing drugs, I’ll get in trouble.

Unless you are in imminent danger of hurting yourself or others, your confidentiality remains intact. CAPS does not disclose information about students using drugs or alcohol to the Office of Judicial Programs unless you are in a mandated program. CAPS does not disclose information about students using drugs or alcohol to the police unless there is an emergency situation where this is relevant.

Myth: Counseling is no different than talking to your friends about your problems. Counselors only sit there, nod and stay silent.

Talking to a good listener who can be objective and outside of your situation is one of the most valuable aspects of seeing a therapist. Counselors can often see things with less bias than those people in the situation with you, so counselors will often help identify and discuss patterns they notice in your actions, thoughts, and feelings or in your relationships and offer strategies to change these patterns toward a healthier life in ways that fit for you. Because your counselor is objective, impartial and outside of your life, your decisions do not directly impact your counselor so s/he can work with you to discover what you truly want, need, think, feel, believe and value and offer skills to help you get closer to living a life that you desire.

Many stereotypes and depictions of counselors in movies have led to their image being “touchy-feely”, reading your mind, detached, or ineffective. Most counselors today are active and engaged, using questions, reactions and interventions to help you move toward your goals. It will be important to consider how active you want your counselor to be and inquire about this when working to find a counselor that is right for you.

Myth: CAPS has a strict session limit

CAPS provides relatively short-term therapy, and some students may need more intensive counseling and psychiatric services than CAPS can provide. However, most students can see a counselor at CAPS for a short time and get their needs met. If we determine we are not the best fit for helping you with your concerns, CAPS clinicians will work to give you referrals in the community that will better suit your needs. We are typically able to gauge whether CAPS would be the resource that will provide the best care possible for you in the initial phone screening or consultation appointment.

Myth: CAPS counselors won’t understand people like me.

CAPS counselors are sensitive to issues that impact students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, students with disabilities, students of color and international students as well as many other characteristics that make students unique. Counselors work to remain nonjudgmental and open-minded and to be empathic toward people who are different from themselves, so most counselors will put great effort into understanding all their clients' identities and the unique concerns with which they present.

Myth: The wait time for CAPS services is excessive.

As with many services on campus, there are clear ebbs and flows to the demand that may impact students’ wait to be served. CAPS offers on-call and emergency services 24 hours a day 7 days a week for students who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Most students can get an initial appointment within 3-7 days of calling CAPS and are assigned within a few days to a few weeks after this initial appointment. We also encourage students to be proactive in their self-care by making appointments to transfer medications when you have at least one refill left, calling to make an appointment when you start noticing symptoms, and being on time for your appointments.

Myth: CAPS will require that I start medication, and I don’t want to take something that is going to change my personality.

CAPS offers several types of treatment options including psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness and meditation, behavioral techniques, and medication. Research suggests that in cases of moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression, the best treatment option is a combination of medication and therapy. You and your treatment provider will work collaboratively to decide which treatment option(s) may work best for you. You always ultimately determine what suggestions, medication and treatments you choose to follow.

Counseling will not require you to make changes you do not like, that you are not ready for, or that go against your beliefs and values. Counseling is designed to facilitate positive change. It is important to keep in mind that you are in charge of the change that you make. If you are unhappy with the changes that are happening, tell your counselor. Counselors want to help you change in ways that feel beneficial to your life.

Information gathered in part from the following resources and from CAPS Staff (2010):
Santa Clara Valley Chapter California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Marriage and Family Therapy Top 15 myths about therapy “What you don’t know could hurt you…” http://www.scv-camft.org/resources/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=52