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What is Individual Counseling?

Individual counseling (also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy) is a process through which clients work with a trained mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Counseling allows individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change.

How Long does it Take?

Due to the high demand for counseling services, CAPS utilizes a brief psychotherapy model that is designed to target immediate problems or concerns that brings you to our center.  Group counseling, however, can be long-term and you may participate in group as long as needed.  Most students receive between 3 to 8 sessions of individual counseling. 

How do I Get Started?

The first step in beginning counseling is to schedule a meeting with one of our clinical counselors.  This can be done by coming contacting CAPS during our regular business hours at 747-5302.  Please give yourself 15 to 20 minutes, as we will have you complete some paperwork prior to making an appointment.  

What Happens During My First Appointment?

For your first appointment, the counselor will conduct an “intake” interview with you.  During this interview, your counselor will ask you questions regarding your reasons for seeking counseling, health history, family history and other information pertinent to beginning counseling.  Upon conclusion of your intake interview, your counselor will make a recommendation regarding the type of service that may best meet your needs.  Your counselor may recommend individual counseling.  If you decide that you would like to pursue individual counseling, you will be assigned a counselor with whom you will meet regularly. 

What are the Wait Times for Individual Counseling?

The length of time from you intake interview and the first meeting with your regular counselor will depend on two factors: 1) your preferences regarding the characteristics of your counselor and 2) counselor availability.  Due to high demand for services, wait times can be up to 3 weeks, especially as we approach mid semester.  We do everything we can to minimize wait times.  If you are concerned about the wait, you may wish to consider group therapy as groups meet weekly throughout the semester and wait times for your first group session can sometimes be less than a week.   Feel free to talk to your intake counselor regarding your concerns.