Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a range of professional services to undergraduate and graduate students seeking help with personal concerns. Counseling services are available for any registered UCSC student and are confidential. There is no out-of-pocket fee for CAPS services, and you don't need UC SHIP or CruzCare to be seen at CAPS. We provide assistance for students with academic and personal stress, relationship and family issues, drug and alcohol problems, psychological problems, and crisis situations.
Psychiatry services include diagnostic evaluations or prescribing of medication in certain situations. Depending on a student’s needs, a student may be provided with brief individual or couples counseling, group counseling, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, case management services, or a referral for open-ended or long-term therapy off campus.
CAPS also provides the Let’s Talk Drop-in Program, educational workshops on mental health topics and online therapy and resources. One of CAPS more recent and innovative programs is the Campus Mobile Crisis Team (CMCT), which responds to non-emergent, behavioral health-related distress calls on campus. Staffed with an EMT and a behavioral interventionist, the team provides an alternative to law enforcement response for a whole range of situations. See the CMCT website for additional information.
Information provided to any CAPS professional staff member is confidential within Student Health Services and cannot be released without a student’s permission except in specific circumstances involving risk and safety. All services are aimed at helping students gain greater personal effectiveness and academic success. Professional staff members are available at various locations on campus, including the Student Health Services building and the colleges. Emergency on-site crisis services and after hours crisis services are also available.
Staff members are available to provide consultation to staff, faculty, individuals, or family members for assistance in helping students in distress. Counseling psychologists can also provide training and programs on a variety of mental health topics, stress and coping skills, multicultural issues, and organizational development.
For more information visit the Counseling and Psychological Services website or call (831) 459-2628.