CAPS stands for Counseling and Psychological Services, the University of Michigan 's counseling service for undergraduate students. The goal of CAPS is to aid and support students struggling with problems ranging from stress and relationship issues to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other psychological disorders. If you are struggling and need more support than you are getting now, CAPS is one potential source of help available to you. CAPS is not equipped to provide longtime counseling or medication services, but it is a place to be evaluated and to potentially begin receiving help. Services at CAPS are confidential and free to all enrolled students.

Contact: www.umich.edu/~caps

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CAPS Procedure

The CAPS procedure is not clearly outlined, either on the CAPS website or in visits to the CAPS office. The procedure begins when a student comes to the CAPS office in order to make an appointment. At that time, the receptionist will ask the student to fill out a computerized survey in order to identify some of his or her concerns. After finishing the survey, the student can make an appointment to see a therapist. Unless the student is in crisis and requests to be seen immediately, the waiting period to get in to see a therapist at CAPS is generally 2 to 3 weeks.

The number of times a student can see a CAPS therapist varies. In our experience, students have been referred outside of CAPS after 1 visit. Other students are allowed to see a CAPS therapist for an extended period of time. The average number of sessions a student can have with a CAPS therapist is 5.

The procedure of seeing Dr. Donna Champine, the CAPS staff psychiatrist, is similarly ambiguous. To the knowledge of Finding Voice, one student with clinical depression was not referred to see Dr. Champine although she was receiving treatment from a staff therapist. Other students have been referred to Dr. Champine within one or two visits with a CAPS therapist. If the therapist believes that a student does not require medication, the student may not be referred to Dr. Champine.

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FAQs

What should I expect on my first visit? 

On your first visit to CAPS, you will be required to complete a computerized survey and to sign a consent form that allows you to be treated. The survey helps counselors understand more about your background and your current concerns. On your first visit, you will likely not be seen by a counselor; however, if you are in crisis, tell the receptionist and the counselor on duty will meet with you on that same day. After you are completed the computer survey, the receptionist will schedule an appointment with a counselor for you. At this point, you can request to see a specific therapist. Different therapists at CAPS specialize in different concerns like multicultural issues, sexual assault, eating issues, LGBT issues, and relationship concerns. Choose the type of counselor you believe will help you the most. The typical wait between a first visit and an appointment with a counselor is 2 to 3 weeks. 

What should I expect when meeting with a therapist?

Your first session with a therapist will last 45 minutes. During this time, the therapist will ask you to describe your concerns and may ask for relevant background information. At the end of the session, the therapist may ask to see you again or may recommend private therapists so that you can start receiving long-term treatment. The therapist may also recommend that you meet with the CAPS psychiatrist, Donna Champine, who is able to prescribe medications to students. At any point during this process, you can refuse treatment, ask follow-up questions, or request that the process be clarified.

Since CAPS is part of the university community, it is often used to train psychology graduate students. Consequently, it's possible that a graduate student may sit in on your session. However, if you are uncomfortable with a third person sitting in, you have the right to ask that the graduate student not be allowed into the session. A graduate student can sit in on the session only with your explicit permission. You definitely have the right to say no.

How long can I go to CAPS?

On average, students who go to CAPS are seen five times before they are required to find their own therapist or psychiatrist. Other students are seen over a long period of time. Procedure varies.

Can CAPS prescribe medication?

Yes, Dr. Champine, the CAPS staff psychiatrist, can prescribe medications. However, it is sometime difficult to get an appointment with Dr. Champine. If you cannot get an appointment with Dr. Champine, make an appointment with another local psychiatrist. Michigan Mental Health Worker www.mhweb.com provides a free listing of therapists and psychiatrists in the Ann Arbor area as well as information on which mental health professionals accept which insurance. If you need support in order to call a psychiatrist, contact Finding Voice at findingvoice@umich.edu , and a member of Finding Voice will be there to support you during this process.

Dr. Champine may prescribe medication for you, but no matter her recommendation, you are still in control of the medication process. If you have doubts about taking medication, you can always refuse the prescription.

Is CAPS confidential?

 Yes, information from CAPS will not go on your student record. CAPS will not notify your parents that you have visited unless a staff member considers you at immediate risk for suicide. No University members or staff will have access to your personal information from CAPS unless you expressly give permission. But if you are a student majoring in a professionally regulated area (e g., Law, Medicine, Nursing, etc.), or if your work requires government security clearance (e.g., Department of Defense), the regulatory boards of your future profession may ask you to authorize disclosure of your Counseling & Psychological Services records.

CAPS Confidentiality Information: http://www.umich.edu/~caps/confidential.html

How do I find help after CAPS?

Your counselor at CAPS should provide you a list of local therapists and psychiatrists and their phone numbers. According to CAPS policy, CAPS staff members are required to ask you whether you need support making these phone calls. If you need help making phone calls to local mental health professionals and your CAPS therapist has not offered it, ask. Throughout this process, you always have the right to ask for the support you need.

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Weaknesses of CAPS

•  The staff of CAPS does work very hard, but UM is a large campus and there are simply not enough staff members to meet the needs of the student population. This results in extended waiting periods to get into CAPS. During this waiting period, many students become discouraged, decide that they will never get the help they need, and end up not keeping their appointment with a therapist. Consequently, many UM students are not getting the help they need. In order to support students better, CAPS needs to strive to shorten the waiting period between the first visit and the appointment with a therapist.

•  Many students believe that CAPS does not interact enough with the student population, specifically with the students who need mental health support. Consequently, CAPS is often unresponsive to, even ignorant of, student need.

•  According to CAPS policy, the CAPS therapists are required to help students make phone calls to local therapists and psychiatrists in order to ease the transition from CAPS to private care. But, in our experience, this policy is not followed.

•  CAPS does not provide a listing of local mental health professionals or information on what type of insurance they accept.

•  The CAPS procedure can be confusing and is often not clearly outlined for students, either on the CAPS website or in visits to the CAPS office.

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If you would like to become involved with Finding Voice's effort to improve psychological services on campus, contact findingvoice@umich.edu