Counseling and Psychological Services at Gannett (CAPS) provides services to approximately 14% of the student body (with over 22,000 sessions each year). 

A steady increase in utilization has been observed in recent years. Contributing factors include:

• The need to provide medication management and support to students with an established history of psychotropic medication use  
• Reduced stigma around mental health issues and treatment 
• Students' earlier exposure to sex, alcohol and drugs 
• Increased isolation (technology, internet etc) 
• Neurological and developmental issues
  

Staff

CAPS has a staff of over two dozen psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists from diverse backgrounds. They are trained to provide crisis intervention, brief counseling, psychiatric care, Community Based Services, consultation, orientation and training to the University community.

Services

Telephone screening

The first time a student contacts CAPS, he or she will talk with a scheduler who will arrange a phone appointment with a counselor. This conversation usually happens either later the same day or the following morning. During the phone appointment, the counselor will ask questions in order to help the student access appropriate services. This process usually takes about 15 minutes.

Appointments

CAPS provides individual therapy sessions at Gannett to students who have been scheduled through the telephone screening and to students who have an urgent need. CAPS provides psychiatric services for ongoing clients. A variety of group counseling opportunities also are available.

Walk-in consultations at campus locations

CAPS counselors are available on a drop-in basis at "Let's Talk" locations across campus. No appointment is necessary and there is no fee. This option can be particularly beneficial for a student who is experiencing distress but is hesitant to access more traditional mental health services. Faculty and staff may drop in, too, to talk with a CAPS counselor about their concern for a student.

Consultation and intervention

CAPS Community Consultation and Intervention (CCI) therapists provide staff and faculty with support and guidance in the management of complex or difficult situations involving students. 

Through these consultations, CCI also works with campus partners to identify campus systems that could be improved to reduce barriers to student success.