
Frequently Asked Questions
Following a student’s initial assessment appointment, a recommendation will be made for services either on or off campus. If clinically appropriate, students can be referred for brief individual or couples therapy, group therapy, or the Stress Clinic at CAPS. In general, an assignment for brief therapy at CAPS will be made within 2-4 weeks of a student’s initial assessment.
Therapy assignments are made based upon a number of factors such as the time of the semester, a student’s schedule of availability, and the urgency and severity of their concerns. If a student waiting for therapy assignment experiences a shift in circumstances, they may contact CAPS (either the clinician who conducted their initial assessment or the case manager) to update their information and discuss options for more immediate care either on or off campus. Students who choose to remain on the waitlist should talk with their initial assessment clinician for an estimated wait time, which in some instances may take up to several months depending on various factors. In addition to psychotherapy, CAPS offers Stress Clinic classes and workshops focused on skill building and distress tolerance.
All students can use CAPS as their first stop in trying to resolve whatever difficulties they are experiencing. Following an initial assessment, you will either continue with the clinician you first meet, be assigned to another clinician, or receive a referral to an outside clinician or service, depending on what makes the most sense in your particular situation. CAPS uses a brief therapy model (up to 12-sessions per academic year) in order to accommodate the needs of all the students we serve. Most students who need ongoing or specialized counseling/treatment see a provider off campus.
There are many reasons you may to choose to go off-campus rather than be seen at CAPS. For example, you might feel it is more private or allows more flexibility to have your own clinician off-campus, or you might need services that aren't available at CAPS (e.g., formal psychiatric assessment, neurological services, specialized or long-term psychotherapy, drug detoxification and treatment, inpatient services, day-treatment). Sometimes, the primary reason to see a community provider is the need to begin treatment immediately rather than wait for the next available psychotherapy opening at CAPS. If you need off-campus treatment, your CAPS clinician can help you find services that are maximally affordable, accessible, and appropriate for you. Regardless of the treatment needs, a consultation with a CAPS clinician is a good first step.
No. CAPS does not prescribe medications, however, psychiatric services are available at Student Health Services.
If you already have a prescription, don't wait until your prescription has almost run out to arrange for a refill. The first person to consider contacting for a refill is the healthcare provider who originally gave you the prescription. If that provider is not available, you can contact Student Health-Psychiatry or call CAPS for a referral to a community provider. No responsible provider will refill your prescription without meeting with you for an initial evaluation, so you must allow for enough time before your prescription runs out to connect with a new provider -- allow at least two to three weeks.
It can be very difficult when someone you care about is in pain. You might find yourself feeling helpless, frightened, frustrated, or angry. You can't make your friend seek help if they don't want to or don't feel they need it, but here are some things you might offer them as a friend:
- Let your friend know, in some private setting, that you are concerned. Suggest that they make an appointment with CAPS to see if we can be of help. Try to phrase your communications in "I" language, rather than "you" language: for example, "I care about you and I feel concerned when I see you hurting" rather than "You are in trouble and you need help."
- Offer to sit with your friend while they call for an appointment.
- Offer to accompany your friend to CAPS during crisis walk-in hours or to their Initial Assessment appointment.
No, CAPS’ clinicians do not write letters of support for emotional support animals.
We welcome all official service animals at CAPS. However, while we love animals, emotional support animals and pets do not have access to public areas on Emory University’s campus. Therefore, we do not allow emotional support animals or pets at CAPS.
Contact and Hours of Operation
Address: 1462 Clifton Road, Suite 235, Atlanta, GA 30322
Phone: (404) 727-7450
Fax: (404) 727-2906
Crisis Consultation: Call (404) 727-7450, 8:30-3:30, Monday-Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:30-5:00, Monday-Friday
PLEASE NOTE: If Emory University is closed due to weather or other emergency, then CAPS is also closed. In such circumstances, students will be contacted to reschedule appointments once the university reopens.