Frequently Asked Questions
APPOINTMENTS
You may walk into CAPS and you will be seen.
If you have never been to CAPS, or it has been more than 6 months since your last appointment, you will need to schedule an initial screening appointment by using the online Patient Portal or by calling our office during business hours at 706-542-2273. If you are a current client and need to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. Only the initial screening appointment can be made by using the online Patient Portal.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Read more about CAPS confidentiality policies.
CAPS clinicians cannot release information about you, even whether you are a current or former CAPS client, without your written consent. Exceptions to this may occur in situations when there is an immediate threat to your life or welfare or to the life or welfare of another person. Read more about CAPS confidentiality policies.
Your CAPS records do not become part of your academic record. CAPS clinicians cannot release information about you, even whether you are a current or former CAPS client, without your written consent. Exceptions to this may occur in situations when there is an immediate threat to your life or welfare or to the life or welfare of another person. Read more about CAPS confidentiality policies.
CONSULTATION
Read more about resources for UGA faculty and staff. If you would like to consult with CAPS about a situation that concerns you, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm) you may contact our office at (706) 542-2273 and ask to speak to a walk-in clinician or a member of the CAPS leadership team. For after-hours crisis consultation you may contact the UGA Police Department at (706) 542-2200 and ask to speak to the CAPS on-call clinician. Read more about CAPS consultation services.
If you would like to consult with CAPS about a situation that concerns you, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm) you may contact our office at (706) 542-2273 and ask to speak to a walk-in clinician or a member of the CAPS leadership team. For after-hours crisis consultation you may contact the UGA Police Department at (706) 542-2200 and ask to speak to the CAPS on-call clinician. Read more about CAPS consultation services.
COSTS & BILLING
Read more about costs.
Read more about the UHC student health fee.
Grant money is available to help with fees for CAPS services through a fund established by the UGA Parents Leadership Council. CAPS also provides referral assistance to other resources when costs are a concern.
Clients may pay for CAPS fees out-of-pocket, have charges billed to their UHC account, or have the option of requesting that the UHC submit CAPS charges to their health insurance providers. Read more about UHC costs.
Clients have the option of requesting that the UHC submit CAPS charges to their health insurance providers. Read more about UHC costs.
EMERGENCIES & CRISIS SITUATIONS
CAPS provides crisis services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for urgent situations (e.g. you are thinking about harming yourself or another person, you are in so much distress that you are unable to function in your daily activities, or you cannot keep yourself safe). During regular business hours students in crisis may call CAPS at 706-542-2273 and speak with a clinician or walk into CAPS with no appointment required and be seen by a clinician. After-hours and on weekends or holidays, support is available by calling CAPS directly at 706-542-2273. For imminently life threatening situations, please contact 911. Read more about costs.
LOCATION & HOURS
CAPS is located on the 2nd floor of the University Health Center and is available to student Monday-Friday, from 8am-5pm. Read more about CAPS location, hours, and contact information.
MEDICATION
Read more about CAPS psychiatric services.
The wait time for an initial appointment may be several weeks.
If you would like to begin psychiatric services at CAPS, you you will need to schedule an initial screening appointment by using the online Patient Portal or by calling our office during business hours at 706-542-2273. Read more about our psychiatry services.
We ask individuals who primarily are interested in medication to be open to a referral to a CAPS clinician for counseling if it is recommended. We can assist with referrals to outside psychiatric providers if you are not interested in pursuing counseling at CAPS if it recommended.
Clients are not required to take medication, and not all clients need medication.
For the initial psychiatric evaluation you will meet with one of CAPS psychiatric providers for about 50 minutes to discuss symptoms you may be experiencing and how those symptoms are affecting you. The psychiatric provider may make a recommendation for medication if it is determined to be appropriate for you. Recommendations for medication do not obligate you to take the medication.
If you already are prescribed psychiatric medication from a provider outside of CAPS you may be able to transfer your medication management to CAPS. Transfer of medication is not permitted without first having an initial screening appointment. Individuals who are interested in transferring medication should maintain a relationship with their current care provider and an adequate supply of medication and as this process could take several weeks.