CAPS Services

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.

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.