Navigating Mental Wellness: An Overview of UCF Counseling and Psychological Services

For students at the University of Central Florida (UCF), navigating the complexities of college life can present a myriad of challenges. To support their students' mental health and well-being, UCF offers comprehensive services through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). CAPS is the only free-of-charge campus agency designated to provide comprehensive psychological services to a university-enrolled student. CAPS supports the academic, personal, and interpersonal development of UCF students by providing brief individual therapy, and group counseling, career exploration, couples counseling, and crisis counseling. CAPS offers clinical services, as well as outreach and prevention programs, in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where student access is a priority.

Who is CAPS for?

All registered UCF students who pay the health fee are entitled to an initial assessment to determine the therapy focus and appropriate services. You are eligible for counseling services if you are registered for classes in the current semester.

Initial Assessment and Service Determination

Your first contact with CAPS will be an initial assessment with a counselor who will determine the most appropriate services for you. Making an appointment at CAPS is simple. If you are visiting CAPS for the first time, you will be scheduled to meet with a counselor for an initial assessment. Students may call CAPS to schedule this appointment in advance. You will be able to schedule an initial assessment at a day and time that is convenient for you wither in-person or via telehealth.

Range of Counseling Services

CAPS addresses a wide spectrum of student needs through various counseling approaches. Students come to counseling with a wide range of concerns. Many students have issues related to their normal development, such as identity or relationship issues. Others are dealing with more specific concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, past trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, or eating and body image concerns. Some students are not sure what the problem might be - they just know they are having a hard time studying, concentrating, eating, sleeping, adjusting, or getting along in general.

Individual Counseling

In a one-on-one interaction with a counselor, you are helped to express feelings, examine thoughts and beliefs, reflect on patterns of behavior, and work toward making healthy changes in your life. CAPS clinicians strive to understand you, help you explore your thoughts and feelings, and assist you in developing the skills and perspectives you desire. Ongoing individual counseling sessions are limited and normally scheduled on a bi-weekly basis depending upon the nature of the concern. Individual sessions are offered on a short-term basis, often every other week. On average, students are seen for about six sessions, typically scheduled every other week. Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes long.

Read also: Counseling Services at UCLA

Group Counseling and Workshops

In many instances, group counseling or life skills workshops are effective alternatives to individual counseling. Therapy groups offer students a supportive and stimulating environment to explore common issues of concern.

Specialized Counseling

Premarital, marital, divorce, sexual adjustment, or alternative life-style counseling is available to enrolled students.

Crisis Intervention

Our staff offers crisis intervention services during regular office hours. Students under 18 years of age can be seen on a limited basis without parental consent while they are in crisis. If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call CAPS or walk in. Be sure to let the receptionist know that you are experiencing a crisis. In the evening or on weekends, contact Lifeline of Central Florida at 407.425.2624, the UCF Police Department at 407.823-5555, or simply dial 911. Check our Emergency Services page for more information.

Confidentiality and Trust

NO ONE, without your written consent. Everything you say in counseling is kept confidential, unless your counselor is required by law to break confidentiality to protect you or someone else from harm. The fact that a counselor is not a friend or family member actually makes it easier for them to help you. Counselors understand that it is normal to feel uncomfortable and cautious during the first meeting and they try to help by promoting an accepting environment in which you will feel more at ease. If you don’t feel a connection with the counselor you’ve been assigned you may request a different counselor.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

For the most part, students who use our services are interested in their personal growth or resolving a particular concern. It is common and perhaps expected for students to encounter some struggles, pressures, and stress at times while in college. Once this decision pursue counseling has been made the mechanics for change have been set in motion.

Read also: Your Counseling Career

Limitations and Referrals

CAPS provides short-term individual counseling for currently enrolled students who have paid the student health fee. When longer-term or more specialized care is needed, CAPS assists students in connecting with community providers or may recommend participation in one of our group therapy offerings. A referral to a community provider may be appropriate when a CAPS clinician determines that a student’s needs would be better met through a specialist or longer-term therapy.

Research and Evaluation

The UCF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff members engage in research on a variety of issues related to college student mental health as well as conduct ongoing evaluation of our services. As scientist/scholar-practitioners, we aim to incorporate the latest psychological research findings in our clinical and outreach work. We welcome collaborating with faculty and students interested in examining issues pertinent to college student mental health. For more information, please contact our research coordinator, Dr. CAPS is a member of the Center for Collegiate Mental Health. As such, we contribute numeric data about our students who seek counseling to a national data set which allows counseling centers across the country to examine trends and compare campuses. Understanding what’s going on with the “non-clinical populations” (i.e., students who have not sought counseling) is just as important as gathering information on those who do seek counseling. Each year, CAPS conducts a Strengths Screening Day program to bring more awareness to the positive qualities of UCF students. Another national effort, The National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education, housed at the University of Texas at Austin is carrying out a study on suicidal thoughts of college students and how students cope. Each semester, CAPS asks students to complete an evaluation of the counseling services that they have received. 98% of students agreed or strongly agreed that they would refer a friend to CAPS.

Relevant Research Findings

Here we feature a relevant research finding on college student mental health. Researcher Nicholas Bowman analyzed data from first year students across 19 colleges and universities. Students completed a survey at the beginning of their first year (n=4501) and again near the end of their first year (n=3081) which assessed the students’ psychological well-being, background information, and experiences during their first year in college. Among the findings were that students who spent more time in extra-curricular activities showed greater gains in personal growth, positive relations with others, and purpose in life (three dimensions of psychological well-being). Positive interactions with diverse peers also contributed to greater psychological well-being, whereas negative experiences with diverse peers were related to declines in psychological well-being. In addition, students who were challenged in class and had more interactions with faculty had higher psychological well-being scores. Bowman, N. A. (2010). The development of psychological well-being among first-year college students.

Research Opportunities

Each semester CAPS has an undergraduate research assistant, usually an advanced student majoring in psychology, work with us on our research projects. Currently, the position is filled. When we have an opening for a research assistant the information will be posted here.

Training and Staff

CAPS is composed of a professional staff of licensed or license-eligible psychologists, mental health counselors and social workers. CAPS also serves as a training site for graduate students in counseling or psychology programs. BSW Full time, MSW 1st year students, MSW 2nd year and advanced standing, (Clinical) Part-time BSW, Part-time MSW. The student will be expected to work within the hours of the center and at times after hours when University campus departments are requesting a presentation. Student parking decals are available. UCF campus is accessible through bus shuttles, which are free.

Location

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is located in Building 27 next to Student Health Services at the UCF Main Campus.

CAPS Values

Accessibility
Collaboration
Student-Centered
Professional Excellence
Community Engagement
Mindful Innovation
Individual Counseling Limits

Additional Resources

Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Substance Use Disorder Clinic (within UCF Student Health Service) offers support, counseling, assessment, and evaluation and referral services to UCF students who have issues around alcohol and other drug use, misuse, abuse, or addiction. Please call 407.823.2924 for more information or to make an appointment with a licensed certified counselor.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services (WHPS)

Also, Peer Educators at WHPS provides a wide variety of educational programs. Professional Health Educators, as well as peers, are available to assist students. WHPS provides needle free HIV/AIDS testing, pre and post test counseling and education.

Consulting About a Student

CAPS staff is available during working hours to consult about a concern that a third party might have about a student. Otherwise, no information can be released, including whether or not a student is attending counseling, without written consent from the student.

Ending Counselling

Once you feel less overwhelmed and have gained some insight into your issues, you and your counselor will talk about how and when to transition or end your counseling.

Medication

No. Only psychiatrists or medical doctors can prescribe medication.

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