Appointments and Eligibility

Appointments, which are recommended, can be scheduled on Hawk Hill by calling 610-660-1090 or visiting in person at A504 Merion Gardens. On University City, appointments are scheduled by calling 215-596-8536 or visiting Suite 1200 in Whitecar Hall. A first appointment typically can be scheduled within 2-3 days of an initial request. On weekdays, while school is in session, urgent concerns are usually accommodated through the utilization of our drop-in hours. During office hours and between drop-in times, a CAPS counselor will be available in cases of emergencies.

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to receive ongoing individual counseling. While there is not a specific limit on the number of counseling sessions a student can receive, a goal-focused model is typically employed with the average number of sessions being between 6-7. Due to demand, most appointments are scheduled for every two weeks. Students needing consistent, long-term counseling and/or specialized care are assisted with finding resources off-campus to best meet their needs.

• Part-time students are eligible for up to 3 individual counseling sessions per academic year (not including the initial session) for short-term problem resolution and/or referral.
• Online students who reside in the local area are subject to eligibility listed above for full-time and part-time students. Online students who reside outside of the local area can consult with CAPS staff for referral purposes.
• Students on a Leave of Absence or who have withdrawn from the University are ineligible for services.
• Students who are required/mandated to receive mental health treatment or assessment by a court of law or University department/office are ineligible for services and will be referred to a professional in the community.
• Employees of Saint Joseph's University are not eligible for counseling services but are welcome to consult with CAPS staff for the purposes of referral.

When classes are in session, we offer Drop-In Counseling Hours for students with urgent concerns. Currently, Drop-In services are only available on Hawk Hill, but will be brought to University City in the future. Students may drop in or call in to arrange a virtual meeting with a professional counselor; no appointment is needed. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Drop-In Counseling Hours are:

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: LaFarge Residence Hall
• 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Merion Gardens A54

To arrange a virtual meeting, please call our offices during drop-in times.

In the event of an EMERGENCY after normal office hours, students on both campuses should call 911, SJU PUBLIC SAFETY (610-660-1111), or access after-hours counselors (610-660-1090, option 2).

First-time appointments to CAPS will consist of a 30-minute initial interview with a CAPS professional counselor for the purpose of assessing the nature of your concerns and discussing a plan for counseling. If CAPS can best serve your needs, you will be scheduled for a full session with either a CAPS professional counselor or a trainee who is supervised by a licensed staff member. For students whose needs are best served by seeing a mental health professional in the community, CAPS will assist in making the referral.

Counseling appointments typically last 45 minutes, but students may also be scheduled for 30 minute appointments based on clinical need. Due to scheduling demands, latecomers will not be able to be seen for the full 45 minutes. Those students running more than 10 minutes late are advised to call first to make sure that the appointment has not been given to another student. Depending on your and your counselor's availability, you may be asked to reschedule.

Please note: Students should not pursue services at CAPS for the sole purpose of obtaining a letter of support. CAPS does not provide letters at first appointment. However, after a counseling relationship has been established over multiple sessions, with informed consent, we can document attendance and/or determine a diagnosis that may serve to qualify for services within the Office of Student Disability Services. 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.

CAPS experiences a heavy demand for services; if you find that you cannot attend your appointment, it is your responsibility to contact CAPS by phone or 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. If you need to cancel after normal working hours, you may leave your message on voicemail (610-660-1090 for Hawk Hill; 215-596-8536 for University City).

Students with three missed therapy/psychiatry appointments in a rolling three-month period 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 you are determined to be ineligible for services, a counselor at CAPS will notify you of your status via email and can assist you with finding a referral in the community.