Counseling & Psychological Services
Welcome to CAPS!
The team at the Schlosser Family Center for Counseling and Psychological Services ("CAPS") provides counseling services and mental health support to WCU students.
Read below or watch our video to learn more about our office.
To schedule an appointment, call or stop by our office during business hours.
Counseling and Psychological Services
CAPS is proud to partner with BetterMynd
What is BetterMynd?
BetterMynd is our teletherapy partner who provides a diverse suite of licensed mental health counselors available for 1-1 counseling over Zoom. BetterMynd offers:
- Remote appointments (Zoom) anywhere that’s safe and comfortable for you
- Login using any device with internet (phone, tablet, laptop)
- Availability on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and over school breaks
- A wide selection of clinicians to meet your needs
Go to and use your WCU email address to register.
Crisis Support
CAPS staff are available to assist students who are experiencing a mental health crisis at any time of the day. During regular business hours, call the CAPS main line (828.227.7469) or come in CAPS and you will be seen in a timely manner.
For after-hours emergencies, call the CAPS main line (828.227.7469) and follow the prompts to be connected to a crisis clinician. You may also contact the community crisis line through Appalachian Community Services (888.315.2880) or go to the nearest emergency room for assistance.
Our staff includes licensed providers who have years of experience in working with the university student population.
They are committed to helping students to achieve their personal and academic goals and to enhance their experience while at WCU.
CAPS Services
Ready to get started with CAPS services or unsure which support is right for you? Request an initial consultation to meet with a CAPS clinician and take the first step toward care. This brief 20–30 minute appointment gives you a chance to discuss your concerns and identify the best path forward.
Following your consultation, your clinician will recommend next steps, which may include personal counseling, group therapy, therapeutic consultations, case management, self-help resources, or referrals to additional campus and community supports. CAPS is here to help guide you toward the care that best meets your needs.
CAPS’ outreach programs are designed to promote prevention, awareness and skill development among the Catamount community. Through our outreach programming and workshops, CAPS connects to students, faculty, and staff as they partner with us in reducing stigma around mental health concerns.
Our goal with outreach is that participants will develop new knowledge and tools to help them remove barriers to their success at WCU.
FAQs
You and your clinician will discuss the therapeutic process and how frequently you will have sessions. You will likely meet with your clinician every other week or even once a month. If your concerns are such that may benefit from longer-term, more frequent, or specialized support, you may be referred to a community provider.
Please call the front desk (828.227.7469) as soon as you know you are unable to make your appointment. We do ask for at least 24 hours notice to change an appointment, but we know that this is not always possible. Typically, students are not able to be rescheduled within the next 5 business days and during times of high demand for CAPS’ services, you may have to wait longer for the next appointment.
Enrolled students who have paid the student health fee are eligible to receive services. Eligible students can participate in support groups, workshops, individual appointments and emergency services. Students enrolled for fall but not summer who seek services in the summer may pay a nominal fee for services.
Faculty and staff who are interested in counseling have access to services through the WCU Employee Assistance Program. For additional information, please contact Human Resources (828.227.7218) or CAPS (828.227.7469).
CAPS and BetterMynd do not charge for their services for enrolled students who have paid the student health fee.
Note for summer: If you are not enrolled in summer courses, you will be directly billed for CAPS/BetterMynd sessions at a rate of $25 per appointment until August 1st. The charge will appear on your student account and will need to be paid prior to the start of fall semester.CAPS provides consultation to concerned parents, students, or faculty/staff. CAPS will typically not reach out to a student based on this type of consultation, however CAPS staff will guide you in managing the situation. Additionally, you may choose to complete a Student Concern Response Team (SCRT) report. The SCRT team is charged with ensuring, to the extent possible, coordinated efforts to provide services of University Departments are made available to the involved student(s). The report template is available at .
We understand that therapy is a highly relational process and requires trust between clients and clinicians. If you find that you and your assigned clinician are not the right fit, when possible, we ask that you bring this up in your session. Usually, this will help you and your clinician better understand each other and enhance your work together. However, if that conversation does not resolve your concern, you can contact the CAPS office to request transfer to a different clinician's schedule. At this point, a CAPS Administrator will reach out to you to resolve the situation.
CAPS does not provide letters of support for emotional support animals.
Appalachian Community Resources - 888.315.2880
Center for Domestic Peace-828.586.1237
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800.273.8255
Trevor Project (LGBTQ Crisis support) - 866.488.7386
Accreditation
CAPS is accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services.