Counseling Frequently Asked Questions

Counseling is an opportunity to explore, better understand, and work through any feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and/or situations that are impacting your life. You will meet with a non-judgmental, objective listener who can provide support and assistance in addressing and managing various challenges, improving your mental health, and enhancing your overall well-being.

People seek counseling for various reasons, including managing stress, dealing with grief, navigating life transitions, overcoming trauma, improving communication skills, and enhancing overall emotional well-being. Sometimes, you may not know exactly what is bringing you into counseling, only that you haven’t been feeling like yourself and want support to help create change, and that’s okay. It's also important to note that counseling is not only for individuals with mental health disorders; it can benefit anyone seeking support and guidance in various aspects of their lives.

If you have not been in counseling in the past, it may not be clear about what to expect when you meet with a therapist. Therapists use a variety of techniques and approaches to help students gain insight into their problems, develop coping skills, and make positive changes in their lives. The specific focus of counseling can vary widely, covering areas such as personal development, mental health issues, relationship problems, career concerns, and more.

Therapists may employ different therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and others, depending on the student's needs and the issues being addressed. The process involves creating a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Whether or not you have experience with counseling, it may not always be clear where to begin or what to talk about. You may have certain expectations or ideas about what you are or are not supposed to do. This is normal. There are a few things that may be helpful for you to know about counseling

• Don’t pretend to be okay. It’s okay to talk about things that feel embarrassing or scary.
• Be patient with yourself. It can take time to feel comfortable to share in therapy.
• Counseling works best if you commit to regularly attending your sessions, are prepared in advance, and are actively involved during each meeting.
• Counseling is a collaboration, and working with your therapist to explore new behaviors and thoughts that you can apply outside of your sessions increases your chances of growth and recovery.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions if your therapist is talking about something you do not understand, or you feel uncertain about a particular suggestion.
• Be open and honest with your therapist about how the sessions are going for you. We take your feedback seriously and want to work to provide the best experience possible.

CAPS operates on what is called a flexible-care, goal-focused model. This means that there are no set session limits, but you and your therapist will work together to identify a specific goal to work on during the course of treatment. You will have access to a wide range of services, including individual therapy, group therapy, drop-ins, Same Day appointments, daytime and after-hours crisis support, and referrals into the community. Many students report improvement after just a few sessions, while others may take more time to achieve their goals. The experience can be different for different students, based on their individual needs.

Information that you share in counseling is confidential, and we take this very seriously. We recognize that having a safe and confidential environment is critical to allow you to feel comfortable with sharing personal information. We follow legal and ethical guidelines for our professions and the state of Pennsylvania, which means that no information will be shared with anyone outside of CAPS without your express permission to do so. Your counseling record is not part of your academic record, and no one else on campus has access to it.

However, there are some circumstances in which we might have to disclose confidential information. This includes if there is imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, if there are suspicions of child or elder abuse, or if mandated by a court order. Your therapist will discuss confidentiality and its limitations with you in your first session, but you are welcome to ask any questions about confidentiality at any time.

Students can schedule appointments by contacting CAPS via phone, email, the website contact form, or by dropping by in person. Parents, faculty, and staff members cannot schedule appointments on the behalf of students.

Counseling at CAPS is free of charge for eligible students.

In most cases, students seeking counseling can be accommodated at CAPS using our goal-focused model. However, there may be circumstances in which a student would benefit from off-campus counseling services, such as students in need of more long-term, more specialized, or more intensive treatment than CAPS can provide. In these situations, we will work with you to identify potential resources.