Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Overview

Saint Joseph's University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a range of therapeutic interventions and outreach programs to support the mental health and well-being of students at our Lancaster location. CAPS promotes a supportive and inclusive environment where students can receive confidential counseling and guidance to navigate life’s challenges and to grow as individuals. Framed by nine Dimensions of Well-being, our services are grounded in principles of dignity, respect, and caring, and are aligned with the University's commitment to Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person.

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Mental Health Emergencies
In the event of a mental health emergency (defined as an acute disturbance of behavior, thought or mood of a patient which if untreated may lead to harm, either to the individual or to others in the environment), Lancaster students may access support for emergencies through:

  • Dialing 9-1-1 for immediate response and transport
  • Lancaster County Crisis Intervention: 717-393-0421
  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: dial 9-8-8

For urgent consultations during normal business hours which do not require an emergency response, students may call CAPS at 610-660-1090 for a telephone consultation.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
Saint Joseph's University’s CAPS strives to affirm, value, and celebrate diversity in all of its forms while integrating a perspective of cultural humility. Aligned with the goals of the University, we acknowledge the dignity of the individual and are committed to increasing and promoting awareness of and sensitivity to human differences. We view this commitment as an ongoing process and actively seek opportunities to learn about other cultures, identities, and beliefs in an effort to provide support to the entire Saint Joseph’s community and respect all of its members. Prejudice and discrimination in the areas of race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual beliefs, disability, age, socio-economic status or class, body size/physical appearance, and marital status are detrimental to the populations we serve as well as to our own personal and professional development. Therefore, we resolve to work toward the recognition and elimination of such prejudice and discrimination and strive to build an open and trusting environment in which to foster interaction and understanding between ourselves, as well as among all groups in the greater University, local, national, and global communities.

Confidentiality Statement
So that students can talk freely and openly with a CAPS therapist about their concerns, we maintain strict professional standards of confidentiality and privacy under the laws of the Commonwealth of the Pennsylvania and ethical guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association. Confidentiality may not apply if a person is deemed to be in imminent danger to self or others, in cases where the therapist has reason to suspect a child under 18 is being or has been abused, or by order in a court proceeding. To ensure the highest quality of care, CAPS therapists may consult with one another on cases. Every effort is made to safeguard the privacy of the client during these consultations.

 

Appointments and Eligibility

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the Lancaster location offers a safe and confidential setting where personal concerns can be openly explored and discussed with a staff psychotherapist on a short-term basis. Counseling services are voluntary and free-of-charge.

Individual Therapy

Students at the Lancaster location are eligible for a maximum of three solution-focused, individual counseling sessions per academic year for short-term problem resolution and/or referral to campus resources, as well as to help facilitate connections to providers in the local community if long-term or specialized care would be beneficial. Sessions are offered remotely with therapists at the CAPS Hawk Hill campus through HIPAA-compliant Zoom. 

Scheduling

Lancaster students can schedule an appointment with CAPS by emailing CAPS-L@sju.edu or calling 610-660-1090. Faculty and Staff at Lancaster are encouraged to continue to place referrals for counseling through Starfish, after which students will receive an email with information about how to access CAPS services.

First-Time Appointments

First-time appointments with CAPS will consist of a 30-minute initial interview with a CAPS staff member for the purpose of assessing the nature of their concerns and discussing a plan for counseling. If CAPS can best serve a student’s needs within the established three session limit, they will be scheduled for a follow-up session. For students whose needs are best served by seeing a mental health professional in the community, CAPS will assist in making the referral. Students will be asked to complete paperwork in advance of their appointment, which will be sent to them via their SJU email. 

Follow-Up Counseling Appointments

Counseling appointments typically last 45-50 minutes, but students may also be scheduled for 30 minute appointments based on clinical need. These solution-focused appointments, which are scheduled in advance, are designed to help with processing and skill development to address short-term concerns, and to discuss possible referrals into the community for long-term work. Those students running more than 10 minutes late to an appointment may be asked to reschedule.

Attendance Policy

CAPS experiences a heavy demand for services. If a student finds that they cannot attend their appointment, it is their responsibility to contact CAPS by email as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule. This gives us an opportunity to use the time for another student. We request at least 24-hours notice whenever possible, though we understand that circumstances may not allow for advance notice.

Students with two or more missed counseling appointments may be ineligible for counseling services for the remainder of the current term. If the missed appointments occur towards the end of the semester, the student may be ineligible for services the following term. Appointments not canceled at least 24 hours in advance may be considered a missed appointment and included in this total, depending on clinician discretion. If a student is determined to be ineligible for services, a therapist at CAPS will notify them of their status via email and can assist them with finding a referral in the community.

 

Consultation

Students, faculty, staff, and family members may wish to consult with the CAPS staff whenever there is a concern about a student. Therapists may provide information on referrals to other mental health services, on assisting a friend or family member who is in crisis, on determining if one can benefit from counseling, or on any other mental health issue. In such instances, the same principles of confidentiality apply.

Special Requests

Requests for Letters of Support

Students should not pursue services at CAPS for the sole purpose of obtaining a letter of support for accommodations. Students seeking letters of support as an initial need are encouraged to seek letters from individuals directly involved in their care, such as past or present mental health providers or medical doctors.

Requests for Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals (sometimes called Assistance Animals or Therapy Animals) are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals and are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As this is outside of our area of expertise, CAPS staff members cannot provide assessments regarding the need for emotional support animals.

Requests for an Excuse from Class

As a general policy, CAPS does not provide excuses/notes for mental health concerns that may result in missed academic classes, exams, assignments, labs, or other work. We recommend that students speak with their academic advisor or professors directly. Students who require specific accommodations due to mental health concerns or general medical issues must be registered with the Office of Student Disability Services.

Resources

CCAPS-Screen

Behavioral health — which includes mental health, substance use, and more — is a key part of one’s overall well-being. Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if a student, or someone they care about, should connect with a behavioral health professional.

SJU CAPS partners with the Center for Collegiate Mental Health to provide the CCAPS-Screen, a mental health screening instrument that assesses some of the most common psychological problems experienced by college students. After completing the anonymous screening, which takes just a few minutes, students are provided with a report which can be used to guide them toward making a decision about seeking additional mental health support. No identifiable Protected Health Information (PHI) is collected or retained, and the screening does not include review of the results with a professional. However, additional campus resources are provided with each report.

Access the CCAPS-Screen to complete an anonymous screening


Off-Campus Referrals

We partner with ThrivingCampus to make it easier for you to connect with off-campus mental health care. Visit sju.thrivingcampus.com from your mobile or computer device.

  • Browse and filter providers based on your needs and preferences
  • Get answers to common questions
  • Reach out to community partners and connect with mental health care

Access sju.thrivingcampus.com to learn more about off-campus community mental health providers who specialize in working with young adults. Find answers to common questions about making appointments, using insurance, and more. Filter by location, preferences, insurance, and other important variables.
 

Campus Resources


Off-Campus Resources

  • APA Help Center: American Psychological Association’s help site for the public.
  • Campaign to Change Direction: dedicated to changing the culture of mental health in America so that all of those in need receive the care and support they deserve.
  • Half of Us: MTVU’s mental health awareness campaign includes first-person accounts, videos, and information about mental health topics.
  • JED Foundation Mental Health Resource Center: Developed especially for college students, it includes anonymous, confidential mental health screenings, resources, and information about mental health.
  • Mental Health America: A non-profit mental health association (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association), the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
  • National Eating Disorders Association: support and awareness for individuals with eating disorders.
  • The National Institute of Mental Health: Up-to-date information on specific mental disorders, diagnosis and treatment, publication order forms and more.
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: For mental health and/or substance use concerns. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
  • The Trevor Project: the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.


Local Resources

Medical Emergency Services:

Community Resources: