CAPS is one of several clinics within the Department of Student Health and Wellness, along with Medical Services (Primary Care & Gynecology), the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC), and the Office of Health Promotion. The Department of Student Health and Wellness moved into a state-of-the-art new space in the fall of 2021, and CAPS offices are on the fourth floor. CAPS full time staff consists of 13 psychologists, six clinical social workers, seven professional counselors, one advanced mental health residents, and six psychiatric providers. CAPS also has seven part-time licensed mental health providers. Our training programs at CAPS include an APA-accredited Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology with three full-time doctoral psychology interns, an Advanced Doctoral Psychology Practicum program, and an Elective in Psychiatry for fourth year psychiatry residents.
CAPS offers undergraduate and graduate students a continuum of mental health services, including diagnostic and developmental assessment, brief individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, outreach and community consultation, clinical consultation, crisis intervention and co-treatment with psychiatric medication. CAPS provides services to students with a wide range of presenting concerns, developmental issues and problems in living. While some students seek CAPS’ services regarding a specific situational incident, others present with adjustment problems, affective or anxiety difficulties, eating disorders, substance abuse issues, or identity difficulties. We are highly engaged with the University community, through longstanding relationships with departments and schools, daily consultation with faculty and deans, and scheduled presentations to a wide range of university constituents.
CAPS primarily utilizes evidence based brief psychotherapy approaches with individual students. Duration of psychotherapy is generally four to eight sessions, with a focus on assisting students in returning to the level of functioning required for personal well-being and academic success. In most instances in which students' needs do not fit a brief therapy approach, referrals are made to alternate University clinic sites or Charlottesville community providers through the Counseling Center Referral Service. Students may also be referred to TimelyCare, our telehealth partner. In situations in which a community therapist referral may be problematic or contraindicated due to complexity or resource constraints, exceptions to a brief treatment approach are made on a case by case basis. Those specific circumstances are explored within the context of a psychotherapy or care management relationship. Students participating in group therapy remain for the full duration of the group, which may extend over the course of several weeks to a full academic year.