SERVICES PROVIDED AT CAPS

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CAPS provides brief individual and couples’ counseling to UGA students and their eligible spouses. For individuals who would benefit from open ended counseling than CAPS can provide or who require specialized services, we provide assistance with transition of care to other on- and off-campus resources. The first step in accessing CAPS services is to schedule a Screening appointment through the UHC Patient Portal, by calling the CAPS office at 706-542-2273 or by walking in during business hours. At the conclusion of the 30-minute Screening appointment with a CAPS counselor, service options and recommendations will be discussed. There is no charge for the Screening appointment.

CAPS is now providing a Single Session Therapy (SST) option.

What is Single Session Therapy?

  • It is one-time, single, goal-oriented therapy session that provides students with strategies to help navigate a specific situation or goal.
  • Research shows that attending one session can sometimes be enough to start the process of making meaningful life change.

How does it work?

  • Before scheduling a Single Session Therapy Appointment, you decide on a goal for the session such as, “Make a decision,” “Cope with a break-up,” or “Increase motivation.”
  • The CAPS Clinician will help clarify the concern and help you develop a personalized action plan that involves skills and strategies.

When Is It Appropriate to Schedule a Single Session?

  • You understand what your concern is, but just can’t quite figure out what to do next.
  • You are interested in a single conversation with a professional who will help create an action plan.
  • You are facing a problem, dilemma, or conflict and don’t know how to resolve it.
  • You are looking for solutions you can implement now.
  • You are not interested in ongoing CAPS services.
  • You do not have a current clinician.
  • You have been to CAPS in the past and are now only interested in a one-time session to address a current concern.

When is Single Session Therapy NOT appropriate?

  • You believe you are in crisis, for example, you are having thoughts about harming yourself or someone else.
    • If this is true, please call 706-542-2273 for 24/7 clinical support, or by walking into CAPS on the second floor of the University Health Center.
  • You are interested in ongoing brief services through CAPS.
  • You believe you need ongoing, longer-term support for a more complex issue.

How do I schedule a Single Session Therapy Appointment?

What is the cost of the Single Session?

  • Read more about costs.
  • When you schedule a CAPS Single Session it is assumed that you will keep that appointment. If you do not attend the scheduled appointment, or do not cancel the CAPS Single Session 24 hours in advance you will be charged a $30 fee.

Research indicates that group counseling often is the preferred and most effective form of treatment for many concerns. CAPS groups provide participants with the opportunity to receive support, understanding, and insight from other students with similar concerns. Our groups usually meet weekly during the semester and are facilitated by CAPS clinicians in a confidential setting.

CAPS develops a schedule for group counseling at the beginning of each semester.
Please check the Groups Schedule for a list and description of currently available groups. Group counseling may be recommended for you during your initial Screening appointment, or there may be a group you have identified that you are interested in joining. Current clients may speak to their clinicians about joining a group. If you are interested in a group but never have been to CAPS or have not been to CAPS in at least six months, you first will need to schedule a Screening appointment which is the point of entry for all CAPS services.

Spring Semester 2023 Groups

Acceptance and Commitment Group

This group will focus on developing the skills to live more intentionally and to manage the pain that comes with thought and feeling. We do this through understanding the unique values that guide us, engaging fully in the present moment, and sharing this process with each other.

      • Monday’s, 1:00pm-2:30pm.  In-person.
      • Beginning March 16th, Thursday’s, 3:30-5:00pm. In-person.
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Graduate Student Support Group

Areas of focus may include: addressing difficulties related to imposter syndrome and/or perfectionism, finding a work-life balance, and reducing a sense of isolation tied to graduate school challenges.

      • Tuesday’s, 2:30pm-4:00pm. Zoom

Creating Space

A process therapy group for the LGBTQIAT+ community. This group is designed to provide space for students to come together and process the unique aspects of their intersecting identities in an affirming space. The group will explore themes of interest to LGBTQIAT+ community and will provide evidence-based coping skills to enhance emotional well-being and academic performance.

      • Tuesday’s, 2:30-4:00pm. In-person.

Healing After Loss

A support group for those who have lost a loved one (family or friend).

      • Tuesday’s, 3:00pm-4:30pm. In-person.
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Mindful Self-Compassion Practices and Process Group 

Join us to explore healthy ways to support ourselves and each other in this group. This is an interactive group where members will actively engage in learning to quiet the inner critic, empower our empathic inner voice, and explore meditation and somatic practices to support that journey. 

      • Wednesday’s, 3:30pm-5:00pm. Zoom.

Interpersonal Process Group

Want to improve relationships? This group focuses on learning how you interact with others, practicing new ways of behaving and receiving valuable feedback from others. 

      • Wednesday’s, 3:30pm-5:00pm. In-person.
      • Thursday’s, 1:30pm-3:00pm. Zoom.

Transfer Student Support Group

Being a transfer student is hard, especially at a large campus like UGA. So, we’ve developed a group just for you! This is an interpersonal processing group with a focus on adjusting to UGA, developing relationships and receiving interpersonal feedback from other students. This group is specifically for transfer students who are struggling to find interpersonal connection on campus.

      • Thursday’s, 1:00-2:30pm. In-person.

CAPS offers evaluations for psychiatric medication and medication management to eligible individuals who may benefit from medication. Clients are not required to take medication, and not all clients need medication.

 

Current Clients:

If you are a current client and are interested in psychiatric services at CAPS, you may speak to your clinician about the process of scheduling an appointment for a psychiatric evaluation and whether medication may be beneficial in your treatment. At times CAPS clinicians may recommend a psychiatric evaluation to their current clients.

New Clients or Returning Clients:

If you are interested in psychiatric services but never have been to CAPS or have not been to CAPS in the last 6 months, you first will need to schedule an initial Screening appointment. During the Screening appointment, a clinician will discuss with you whether scheduling a psychiatric evaluation is appropriate. Please be aware that a referral to an off-campus psychiatrist will be facilitated if counseling is recommended by a CAPS clinician and you are not interested in participating.

Transferring Medication to CAPS:

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 as this process could take several weeks.

ADHD Medication:

CAPS Psychiatric Services can start treatment for ADHD or continue an existing treatment plan only for individuals who can provide CAPS with documentation that meets the requirements established by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

More information about the required documentation for ADHD Medication

CAPS cannot prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD without the required documentation.

 

Transition of Care to Community Providers:

CAPS offers transition of care assistance to off-campus psychiatric providers if it is determined that we cannot meet your psychiatric needs. Examples include, but are not limited to, eligible individuals who:

  • Require ongoing psychiatric stabilization, intensive treatment, complex medication management, or specialized services.
  • Have longer term or specialized counseling needs that cannot be met by CAPS.
  • Already have an established relationship with a psychiatric provider outside of CAPS and do not plan to transfer all psychiatric care to CAPS.
  • Want to begin or transfer psychiatric treatment for ADHD and do not have the required documentation.

CAPS provides crisis services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for urgent situations. If you or someone you know is thinking about harming yourself or another person, cannot keep themselves safe, or is in so much distress you are unable to function in daily activities, these services may be appropriate for you.

As always, CAPS remains committed to supporting students. 24/7 support is available by calling CAPS directly at 706-542-2273. Crisis services do not require a scheduled appointment and students do not need to be an established client to access this service.

There are also other crisis and after-hours resources available. If you or someone you know needs support, several resources include:

Other Local Emergency Mental Health Resources:

CAPS provides brief counseling to UGA students and their eligible partners. For individuals who would benefit from longer term services or for those who may require specialized services, we provide assistance with transitions to a number of community resources – both on & off campus.

CAPS recognizes the costs and courage that it can take to ask for help.  We also acknowledge the emotional labor involved in accessing quality mental health care. That is why we have built a team of Case Managers to aid in making this transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

You might benefit from working with a Case Manager to find an alternative resource if you:

  • Could benefit from ongoing psychiatric stabilization and complex medication management.
  • Need more intensive treatment than CAPS can provide.
  • Would benefit from specialized services that are not within the expertise of CAPS clinical staff members.
  • Prefer longer-term mental health support.
  • Already have an established relationship(s) with provider(s) outside of CAPS and do not plan or desire to transfer care to CAPS.
  • Prefer referrals to other resources during high-demand times of the semester when there may be a wait for CAPS services.

Our Case Managers will walk alongside you throughout the course of the referral process. Together, we will explore a variety of referral options and will assist you in connecting to the care that you are so deserving of. To schedule an appointment with a Case Manager, please contact our front office at 706-542-2273 and request to schedule a “Transition of Care” appointment. 

To learn more about providers & resources in the community, please visit our online referral database at uga.rints.com. Here, you can search for providers who may be a good fit for you and your needs.

Do not hesitate to contact The CAPS Case Management Team at 706-542-2273 with any questions or concerns. We look forward to supporting you in this process in whatever capacity feels most appropriate for you.

CAPS offers programs to the University of Georgia community that primarily emphasize education, early intervention, prevention, and post-vention. Programs that we offer are intended to provide a proactive focus while disseminating knowledge and reducing mental health stigma.

CAPS welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff, and student groups in the development of programs to meet particular needs. Please visit the CAPS: Outreach Services page for further information. If you are interested in scheduling a CAPS program, please contact the CAPS Outreach Coordinator by phone (706) 542-2273 or complete the Project Request Form. We suggest that you make your request at least one month prior to your intended program date. Please keep in mind that fulfillment of program requests is contingent upon staff availability and expertise. CAPS clinical staff members do not provide informational interviews or meet with students in order to satisfy the requirements for an academic or related assignment.

The University Health Center conducts free wellness and prevention workshops through #BeWellUGA. Please check here periodically as the list of available workshops changes.

  • FYOS Virtual Workshops
    • Change Stress to Success: Wednesdays @ 11:00 am – 12 pm (Zoom link located on the Involvement Network) February 1st – April 26th  (*No session during Spring Break 3/6-3/10)
    • Dawgs Dealing with It: Thursdays @ 11:00 am – 12 pm (Zoom link located on the Involvement Network) January 19th – April 20th (*No session during Spring Break 3/6-3/10)

Consultation services are offered to the University of Georgia campus community and are an integral part of what we do at CAPS. Our professional staff offers this service in the form of established liaison relationships with other offices across campus and as requested by faculty, staff, students, and concerned others. CAPS consultation services provide an opportunity for our staff to extend our mental health expertise outside of CAPS and offer assistance regarding concerns that include, but are not limited to:

  • Making referrals to CAPS.
  • Suggestions for identifying and helping distressed individuals.
  • Recommendations for responding to specific situations.
  • Discussion of concerns prior to an individual coming to CAPS for services.
  • Continuity of care and timely exchange of important information.
  • Referral to appropriate resources both on campus and in the local community. 

Mental health records are confidential under law in the state of Georgia. We can receive information from you once an individual becomes a client at CAPS, but information cannot be provided by our office unless a client gives us written permission to do so by signing a Release of Information form. Without such a release we can neither confirm nor deny that a specific individual is receiving services at CAPS. Exceptions to confidentiality may occur only under certain circumstances. These exceptions include serious immediate threat to the life or welfare of the individual, of another person, or to the campus community.

If you would like to consult with CAPS, you may contact our office at (706) 542-2273 during regular business hours to consult with a CAPS Clinician. CAPS also offers after-hours clinical crisis support; call (706) 542-2273 after regular business hours to connect or consult with a clinician.