Counseling and Psychological Services
at Emory University
COVID-19
The safety and well-being of the Emory community is our top priority and we are taking necessary precautions to provide students with appropriate support during the pandemic. We will continue to provide updates about these services here.
Coronavirus Updates for the Emory Community
Campus Life resources during the COVID-19 outbreak
CAPS remains open. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and recommendations for social distancing, CAPS is currently offering telehealth services via phone and HIPAA-compliant Zoom to enrolled Emory students. CAPS continues to offer core functions of crisis response, consultation, individual therapy, support/discussion groups, therapy groups, and online workshops.
Yes. Emory University has contracted with a 3rd party vendor, TimelyMD (timely.md/emory), to provide 24/7 mental health support. This support includes scheduled counseling visits (12/year) and 24/7 access to emotional support with their Talk Now program. TalkNow is also available to international students. CAPS also offers consultation, support/discussion groups (e.g., International support group, Black graduate student support), and various types of helpful workshops (e.g., managing stress & anxiety during COVID-19, managing loneliness, prepare for procrastination, stress & mindfulness program) via our HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform that are available to all students, regardless of where they are located.
Students wanting to initiate clinical services should call CAPS at 404-727-7450. You will first be scheduled for a consultation to assess your needs and then scheduled for an Initial Screening appointment if needed. For the Initial Screening appointment, you will be asked to complete clinical assessment paperwork and sign necessary consent forms, and then scheduled for a 30-minute Initial Screening appointment with a CAPS clinician. After your initial screening, you will be assigned for services based upon your clinical needs and availability.
To find a local therapist in your home state, check with your insurance company for recommendations, check out our Thriving Campus website https://emory.thrivingcampus.com/, which allows you to search by location across the country, or visit the Psychology Today website https://www.psychologytoday.com/us under the “find a therapist” tab. If you have the Emory student insurance, please contact CAPS or Student Health Services first to have an insurance referral activated. Please remember that this referral must be renewed at the beginning of every policy year (August for most students).
In addition to clinical services, CAPS is offering a variety of workshops focused on skill building, resilience, and support (e.g., managing stress & anxiety during COVID-19, managing loneliness, prepare for procrastination, anxiety toolkit), support groups (e.g., international student support, Black graduate student support), and our virtual Stress Clinic classes (e.g., stress & mindfulness program). More information about how to participate in these services can be found here: bit.ly/emorycaps.
The laws that protect the confidentiality of personal information also apply to telehealth. Therefore, information disclosed during conversations with a CAPS counselor are generally confidential. However, there are both mandatory and permissive exceptions to confidentiality including, but not limited to, reporting child, elder, and dependent adult abuse; expressed threats of violence towards an ascertainable victim; expressed threats to harm or kill oneself; and where the client makes their mental or emotional state an issue in a legal proceeding.
The potential risks and consequences from telehealth include the possibility that, despite reasonable efforts on the part of the counselor, the transmission of personal information could be disrupted or distorted by technical failures or unauthorized persons. In addition, an unauthorized person could access the electronic storage of personal information. Also, depending on the privacy of the location of the student, information could be overheard by 3rd parties. There are potential risks and benefits associated with any form of counseling and it is possible that despite the efforts of the counselor and student, a student’s condition may not improve and, in some cases, may even get worse. Students are encouraged to discuss these concerns directly with a counselor.
Immediately call 911 or seek help from a hospital or crisis center in your immediate area. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide without a clear commitment to safety, call 911; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or another suicide hotline; or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 or STEVE to 741741 (to connect with a person of color).
Emory Core Providers are covered at 90% of the negotiated rate after the $10 co-pay and $150 annual deductible (10% patient co-insurance).
National In-Network Providers are covered at 80% of the Negotiated rate after the $10 co-pay and $400 annual deductible (20% patient co-insurance).
National Out-of-Network Providers are covered at 80% of the Usual and Customary after the $10 co-pay and $600 annual deductible (20% patient co-insurance).
Additional information about Emory Aetna Policy can be found at http://studenthealth.emory.edu/hs/insurance_fees/COVID-19.html and under the Health Insurance link at http://studenthealth.emory.edu/hs/
Students can follow the CAPS’s therapy dogs, Beowulf and Finn, on Instagram and Facebook @EmoryCAPS. Beowulf and Finn share wellness and self-care tips throughout the week.
Emotional-Support Help Line: 1-866-342-6892
Free access to specially trained mental health specialists to support people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress realated to COVID-19. Provided by Optum, the toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone.
Talkspace Online Therapy – online counseling by text, audio or video messaging at an affordable cost talkspace.com
Better Help – professional online counselors available 24/7, private and affordable betterhelp.com
Find a therapist Near You – local and national
- Thriving Campus - https://emory.thrivingcampus.com/
- Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
- TimelyMD's TalkNow services: https://www.timely.md/emory
- Crisis Text Line – free, 24/7, confidential text message service for those in crisis – text HOME to 741741 or text STEVE to 741741 (to reach a person of color) crisistextline.org
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
- Transgender Crisis Hotline: (877) 656-8860
- LGBTQ+ Hotline: (866) 488-7386
- Graduate Student Help Line (800) 472-3457
- Veterans Help Line: (800) 838-2838
- SAMHSA Disaster Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Web-Based Resources
- A number of resources focused on coping with COVID-19 related anxiety: https://www.virusanxiety.com/
- Mindfulness exercises for those coping with COVID-19 related anxiety (available in English and French): https://www.taoconnect.org/mindfulness-exercise/
- Article: 7 Science-Base Strategies to Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety:
https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-coronavirus-anxiety-133207 - Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook:
http://counseling.emory.edu/_includes/documents/resources/Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf - NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide:
https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf
Some Helpful Apps
- Daylio Journal – mood tracker and private journal
- Youper – emotional health assistant, powered by AI
- WeBot – self-care app using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Mood Tools – tools to deal with depression developed by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America
- Fear Tools – tools to deal with anxiety developed by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America
- Remente – goal setting and self-improvement
- Wysa – mood tracker, mindfulness exercises, mental health assessment, powered by AI
- Headspace — tools for meditation, mindfulness, and sleep. Free version & premium versions. Premium student version available for only $9.99 per year at https://www.headspace.com/studentplan
The Health & Wellness fee is an important funding supplement to support the wellbeing of all Emory students. The fee covers a broad array of programs and services to increase the availability of crisis intervention, counseling, psychiatric care, alcohol & other drug counseling, health education, and wellness programming for all students, including those out of state. These programs and services are provided by the following offices: Student Case Management and Intervention Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Office of Health Promotions, Office of Respect, and Student Health Services-Psychiatry.
More information about CAPS services is available on our Frequently Asked Questions page: http://counseling.emory.edu/about/faqs.html. You can also call CAPS at 404-727-7450 and ask to speak with a counselor.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
As always, please call the Emory Police Department at 404-727-6111 in an emergency if you are on campus, or call 9-1-1 if you are in the United States off-campus.
Additional crisis response and support resources are listed below.
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Emergency and Crisis Response: Daytime and After-Hours
If you or a friend is experiencing an emergency at any time of the day or a physical/mental health problem or concern after hours, there are many resources available to assist you.
Learn More
Get Social with 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.