Student Services
Initial Consultation
Want to get started with CAPS services? Unsure of what service may best meet your needs? Request an initial consultation!
To begin counseling at CAPS, the first step is to meet briefly with a CAPS clinician to discuss what concerns brought you to CAPS and to arrive at a mutually agreeable course of action to address your concerns. The first meeting usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes and can be conducted over the phone or in person at CAPS. If you would like to complete this appointment over the phone, you will need to be in a private location free of distractions.
Based on this meeting, your clinician will make recommendations about the best treatment to address your concerns. These recommendations may include self-help resources, group therapy, therapeutic consultations, case management, personal counseling (within or outside of CAPS), or another resource.
Please note that when you arrive for your first meeting, there may be a wait. Know that we prioritize appointments based on urgency and clinician availaibility. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Individual Services
Personal Counseling
Therapeutic Consultations
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.
Group Therapy
Research shows that group therapy is the most effective treatment for many of the
concerns college students face. Because of this, your counselor may refer you to one
of several groups offered by CAPS.
Here is what students say about our groups:
"DO IT! Or at least try it because it is really helpful and really becomes a comfortable space to talk about things you wouldn't talk about with people in your everyday life."
"It is a great way to connect with people who understand what you are going through."
Medication Management
The CAPS Case Manager may assist in acquiring resources for medication management and evaluation.
Case Management
The CAPS Case Manager is dedicated to helping you find and connect with services and resources on campus and in the community. The Case Manager can help you identify resources for food, clothing, housing, medication, social services, financial assistance, and more. Additionally, the Case Manager can assist you in connecting with an off-campus mental health provider if you are having difficulty in doing so. Students are referred to the Case Manager by the CAPS鈥� clinicians.
Services for Biltmore Park Students
Counseling services for Biltmore Park students are offered by CAPS staff via telemental health sessions or through in-person session at the CAPS office in Cullowhee. For an appointment, call 828.227.7469.
Telemental Health
TELEMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (TMH)
CAPS offers both in-person sessions and sessions via Zoom. However, since TMH may not be as complete as in-person services, your counselor may determine that TMH is not an appropriate treatment option or stop TMH at any time if your condition changes. In such cases we will ethically manage transferring care as necessary.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND TELEMENTAL HEALTH
We encourage students to schedule appointments at times when they can have a private space and use a secure internet connection. Each of our clinicians will also ensure privacy on their end, often in their office at CAPS, and at other times in private rooms in their home. Your clinician may use a headset to help ensure privacy and we encourage you to do the same. CAPS uses a HIPAA compliant version of Zoom for all of our video TMH appointments. CAPS will provide you a unique Zoom link for each session. Do not share this link with anyone.
TECHNOLOGY DIFFICULTIES
If you get disconnected from a TMH health session, end and restart the session. If you are unable to reconnect within five minutes, your clinician will call you at the phone number on file.
SERVICES OUTSIDE OF NORTH CAROLINA
All students must be in North Carolina in order to receive counseling services from CAPS. If you are out of state temporarily, we encourage you to reschedule your appointment until you return to NC. If you are living outside of NC, our counselors are happy to talk with you about resources in your area.