Individual Therapy
Individual therapy consists of meeting one-on-one with a CAPS counselor for 45-50 minutes. CAPS uses a short-term treatment model for individual therapy. The frequency of these meetings varies based on need and availability as discussed between student and counselor. CAPS clinicians strive to offer empathy, compassion, insight, and skill-building opportunities in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.
Goals
Goals for brief psychotherapy are determined collaboratively with your therapist and might include:
- Coping effectively with immediate life stresses
- Having a positive first experience in therapy before engaging in longer-term individual work or transitioning into group therapy
- Gaining new skills to cope with new challenges
- Finding greater understanding and new perspectives on life experiences
Given the short-term nature of CAPS counseling, CAPS may also assist you in a referral to a community therapist for specialized or longer-term therapy. In all cases, we work together with you to determine the best approach to meet your needs.
Reasons that a community referral might be the best resource for a student include:
- A need for specialized or more intensive care.
- Other mental health providers or resources are a better fit for a student's needs, such as if a student is looking for a therapist who holds particular identities or areas of expertise.
- The student is graduating or otherwise leaving the area soon and would benefit from being connected to a provider in the community.
- The student is looking for extensive neuropsychological testing.
- The student would benefit from open-ended rather than structured support and/or more frequent and/or flexible appointments.
- The student has limited availability during CAPS business hours or preference for evening or weekend appointments.
- The student may secure an appointment in the community more quickly, and this is important to them.
To receive services (on either the Chicago or Evanston campus), please call CAPS at 847-491-2151.