Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services, located at Hawk Hill in Merion Gardens, at the University City location in Whitecar Hall, and in the Lancaster location in the Health and Wellness Suite, promotes the psychological wellbeing of Saint Joseph’s University students through the provision of a variety of therapeutic interventions and outreach programs. The delivery of these services is framed by “transformative learning goals” and occurs within a campus climate that supports the whole person; academically, socially, physically and spiritually.
Announcements
LANCASTER STUDENTS
Hello, Lancaster students! The services noted here are for eligible students at the Hawk Hill campus and University City location.
Students enrolled at the Lancaster location are eligible for a maximum of three individual counseling sessions per academic year for short-term problem resolution and/or referral to off-campus resources. Lancaster students can contact the CAPS Psychotherapist if they need support by emailing CAPS-L@sju.edu. Faculty and Staff at Lancaster are encouraged to continue to place referrals for counseling through Starfish.
For more information about services for Lancaster students, please visit the SJU-Lancaster page.
SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS
During the last week of the Spring 2025 semester (May 1-8), CAPS will be offering Same Day Appointments to students at the Hawk Hill campus and University City location. Same Day Appointments are confidential, solution-focused, 25-30 minute sessions where you will meet with a therapist to talk about a specific question or concern. To speak with a therapist, you can call CAPS on the day you would like to be seen and our friendly office staff will assist you with scheduling a Same Day Appointment. Current and new clients are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. We recommend calling early in the morning for the greatest availability.
CAPS will also continue to offer drop-in appointments following our normal schedule.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 you speak with your academic advisor or professors directly.
For more information about Same Day Appointments and Drop-Ins, please visit the Our Services page.
Mental Health Emergencies
In the event of a personal emergency during normal working hours, Hawk Hill students can call 610-660-1090 or come in person to A504 Merion Gardens. University City students can call 215-596-8536 or come in person to Suite 1200 in Whitecar Hall.
After office hours, on weekends and holidays, students may access support for emergencies by calling 911, Hawk Hill SJU Public Safety (610-660-1111), University City Public Safety (215-597-7000) or accessing after hours counselors (610-660-1090, option 2). Lancaster students may contact Public Safety for an emergency by dialing 6333 from an internal phone, or 717-735-1449 from an outside line. Lancaster Public Safety may be reached for non-emergencies at 717-947-6009.
When helping someone in crisis, it is important to remember to:
- clarify the problem
- communicate your commitment to help
- contact appropriate professional staff
- talk in a calm, direct and reassuring manner
- stay until assistance arrives
The following resources are additional sources of help:
| Fire or Medical Emergencies | 911 |
| Philadelphia Mental Health Crisis Line | 215-685-6440 |
| Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 988 |
| Crisis Text Line | Text START to 741-741 |
| SJU Rape Education Prevention Program (REPP) | 610-733-9650 (24hr helpline) |
| Addiction Hotline | 844-222-0553 |
| AIDS Hotline | 800-342-2437 |
| Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence | 215-985-3333 |
| Domestic Violence Hotline | 866-723-3014 |
| Lancaster County Crisis Intervention | 717-394-2631 |
| YWCA Lancaster's Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center (SAPCC) | 717-392-7273 |
Appointments and Eligibility
Mental Health Resources
The QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper training program teaches participants to effectively recognize and respond to emotionally distressed individuals who may be at risk for suicide.
CCAPS-Screen Mental Health Screenings
Brief, online, anonymous screenings for a wide range of mental health and substance use issues.
Saint Joseph's University is an alumni member of the JED Campus Program. It is designed to help colleges and universities enhance emotional well-being and mental health promotion efforts, reduce substance abuse and prevent suicide among their students.
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 counselor 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.