Scheduling an Initial Appointment

To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at CAPS, a student simply needs to call (919) 660-1000 or stop by the office at 214 Page Building and tell the receptionist she or he would like to schedule an “Initial Assessment” appointment.  

The purpose of the initial assessment is to assess the student's needs so we can recommend the most appropriate level of services for each individual.   Additionally, the initial assessment serves to provide some support and response to student concerns, ensuring that any emergency needs receive as immediate attention as possible.  

The initial assessment usually involves a thorough exploration of the reasons for seeking help as well as a review of the student’s personal and medical/mental health background.   This is important because we view our work as helping the complete person. Thus we are interested in the unique experiences that have influenced each student's development----rather than simply treating a problem without understanding the context from which it emerged and the strengths that each student has.  

The initial assessment also involves a review of our services, describing the usefulness and limitations of the Brief Counseling model under which CAPS operates.  Some students may be best helped by more ongoing counseling.  CAPS therapists will assist with referral to appropriate resources if that seems the most helpful option.

At certain times of the academic year, the length of wait for an appointment may be longer than usual due to the demand for our services.   CAPS has taken steps to alleviate this situation for students in particularly acute distress.  If you call to schedule an initial appointment and you believe your concerns necessitate a more rapid appointment than the date offered, please indicate this to our reception staff.  A counselor will arrange for a consultation with you about your need for an earlier appointment date.