USF Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides
individual, couple and group counseling for students as well consultation and
outreach services to support students’ wellness and success. Detailed
information can be found throughout this website.
The
Scope of Our Services
CAPS invites students to schedule an initial
telephone consultation to speak with one of our counselors and discuss their
concerns. During this initial conversation, the counselor will assist students
in obtaining the appropriate services to address these concerns by recommending
services within CAPS or in the Bay Area community. Student concerns that can be
addressed within a brief model of therapy are usually referred to CAPS, while,
more comprehensive concerns or medication issues requiring longer term therapy are
best addressed in the community.
CAPS utilizes a short-term model of therapy for individual and couple sessions in order
to use its resources most effectively and assist students in addressing issues
common in a college setting.
Some of the issues that are commonly addressed in
short-term counseling at CAPS are:
- Personal
Issues: Stress and anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, guilt, self-esteem,
grief and loss
- Relationship
Issues: Romantic relationship difficulties, sexual concerns, roommate conflicts,
difficulties with co-workers, issues with family or friends
- Developmental
Issues: Identity development, adjustment to college, life transitions, cultural
concerns
- Academic
Concerns: Performance anxiety, perfectionism, underachievement, motivation
- Other
Issues: Spiritual concerns, body image/food
preoccupation, healthy lifestyle choices, alcohol and drug use concerns, sexual
assault
Service
Limitations
Students whose mental health needs cannot be
accommodated within short-term counseling are referred to community resources.
Similarly, students who require a particular type of expertise that is not
available at CAPS, need to meet with a clinician more than once a week or are in
need of a psychotropic medication are also referred to community resources. Students may be referred out to the community after
the phone consultation or during the course of treatment at CAPS as factors
become apparent during or after the intake assessment. Some of the issues that
are commonly and more appropriately addressed by services in the community include:
Need
to see a therapist more than once a week;
for more than 8-10 counseling sessions
in longer-term therapy, and/or require comprehensive services due to :
- History
of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations
- Chronic
suicidality and/or self-injury behaviors; history of suicide attempts
- Indication
that short-term therapy may be detrimental or non-beneficial
- Evidence
or risk of progressive deterioration in mental or emotional functioning,
requiring intensive intervention
- Manifestations
of bipolar and/or psychotic symptoms without willingness to remain on
medication for stabilization of symptoms
- Inability
or unwillingness to provide the necessary information to thoroughly assess
symptoms.
- Students
who need specialized services not available through CAPS as indicated by:
- Presence
of significant drug and/or alcohol problems such as substance dependence,
primary substance abuse, and/or past failed treatments
- Presence
of significant or long-standing eating disorder with no period of remission, no
previous treatment, or that may pose a medical danger
- Request
for psychological evaluation for the purpose of employment clearance or other
nonacademic needs
- Services
to fulfill students’ court-mandated assessment or treatment requirements.
* * *
For services for Faculty and Staff contact CONCERN Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (800) 344-4222
Have you ever had one of those nights where everything seems to be crashing down? Perhaps you realize that you have two midterms the next day? And then you remember that the 10-page research paper that you haven’t started yet, is also due. On top of that, maybe you’re having some family trouble or had a fight with your best friend. This is an extreme example -- perhaps you just have some roommate trouble that you want to discuss. If you have anything that you may want some confidential consultation about, ProtoCall is available to you for free!
All you have to do is call USF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 415-422-6352 (Monday and Friday between 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and 24 hours on weekends), press option 2 during the automated message and you will be connected with an on-call counselor.
You can call ProtoCall as many times as you want, although you won’t necessarily get the same counselor. It is important to note that this is not a substitution for therapy. The on-call counselor’s job is to consult with you and then asses and try to help with your problem. If they believe that you are in need of counseling, they may refer you to CAPS or recommend a long-term therapist for you. ProtoCall is available to the entire USF community (USF students, their families, faculty, and staff). All consultations are confidential; counselors have signed a confidentiality agreement and only the licensed staff at CAPS can view a report.
If your ProtoCall counselor fears for your safety they will contact the proper authorities. CAPS will not contact you unless there is a risk to you or identifiable others. You are encouraged to contact CAPS if you would like to set up an appointment. (Students needing services can access brief therapy at CAPS every year they are enrolled.)
You know how your parents, professors, and the people of ITS keep telling you that nothing you post or send on the Internet is secure? Well they’re all right. ProtoCall, on the other hand, uses a dedicated server, which allows no one but licensed clinicians with specific access, to see their contact notes.
Barbara Thomas, the senior director of CAPS, says “We are pleased to provide a broader safety net for students who didn’t have access to support before,” including students who take online classes or study at a branch campus. If you have additional questions regarding the service please contact the center at 415-422-6352.
P.S. feel free to like CAPS’ Facebook page at this link!
Please note, CAPS clinical staff members are unable to provide
documentation for disability accommodations, release of Residence Hall contracts, or study abroad clearance. We
will be happy to assist individuals in finding an outside clinician for
completion of these assessments.
