Counseling & Psychological Services

In this section:

• Counseling Appointment Pathways
  • Pathway #1: CAPS Same-Day Support
  • Pathway #2: Intake Appointment
    • Brief Therapy at CAPS
      
      • Individual Counseling
      • Couples Counseling
      • Group Counseling
• Clinical Case Management
• Psychology (Doctoral) Training
• Off-Campus Counselor Search

Counseling Appointment Pathways

Should I schedule a Same-Day Appointment, Or an Intake Appointment?

Pathway #1: CAPS Same-Day Support

I am looking for a single meeting to speak with a counselor about an immediate concern.

This option provides one immediate meeting to focus on a concern that's affecting you right now. With our Same-day Support appointments, you also have the option to return again in the future for another meeting, when you decide it would be most helpful. 

Same-day support can be provided in-person or over zoom. Please drop in, or call 408-924-5678, during business hours to schedule. Please note we are unable to provide documentation in same-day meetings.

We also have several web-booked same-day appointments that open up each morning, Monday-Friday. These allow you to schedule a same-day appointment at an exact time later that same day, as available. To schedule this, please go into the SWC Patient Portal to see what times are available.

Pathway #2: Intake Appointment

I am looking for assistance to develop a treatment plan for my concern.

This option focuses on learning more about you and your past in the meeting in order to make mental health treatment recommendations. This pathway can help you connect to ongoing therapy. This may include brief therapy at CAPS, or help with connecting to other counseling resources that best fit your current needs.

*Please consider, if you're graduating soon or it's near the end of the semester, a same-day appointment may be more effective due to limited available time.

Brief Therapy at CAPS

Counselors are here to help you identify and address personal goals, enhance personal development, meet life's challenges, and improve your interpersonal relationships.

Individual Counseling

Individual brief counseling facilitates the exploration of your personal concerns and needs. Some of the issues often addressed in individual counseling include:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-esteem
• Identity exploration, formation and expression
• Body image and/or disordered eating concerns
• Loneliness and isolation
• Relationship concerns

Couples Counseling

Sometimes people who care about each other encounter impasses in their ability to resolve issues in their relationship. Counselors can help couples improve self-awareness, insight, communication, and relationship skills.

Counselors utilize a variety of interventions to assist couples in resolving problems. Couples may be given assignments to work on, either as a couple or individually. 

Group Counseling

Groups are a fantastic way to connect with peers who share similar concerns, learn new skills and strategies, and grow both emotionally and educationally!

Groups are often the most effective way to:

• Gain support and encouragement from others
• Learn how you are perceived by others
• Gain specific skills to improve your life
• Develop relationship skills

Ground rules, including confidentiality, are typically established with group members to help promote trust. For most benefit, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged. 

Clinical Case Management

Clinical Case Management helps students to access resources in the community to assist with a variety of needs including long-term mental health services, health insurance, addiction related services, support groups, dental/vision care, disabilities resources, eating disorder treatment/resources, immigration support services, immune disorder testing/services, information about public benefit programs, legal services, Victim Support services and veterans resources. 

For more information about immediate basic needs, such as housing and food resources, visit SJSU Cares.

What to Expect

Clinical case management services are time-limited to assist students in obtaining support in connecting with needed on-campus and community resource(s). Clinical Case Management appointments may be conducted through a televisit or held in-person at the Student Wellness Center.

During your first meeting with the clinical case manager, you will discuss your situation and identify what types of community resources may be available. The clinical case manager can help you contact these resources, set goals, and plan for next steps. Some students find that they only need one appointment to meet their needs; others may need to return for an additional appointment until the case management need is resolved.

Psychology (Doctoral) Training

CAPS also hosts an APA-Accredited Health Service Psychology Internship Program and Multicultural Postdoctoral Residency program. Both training programs are essential to the values of CAPS to provide multicultural and social justice-oriented training and services, and are an important part of our center. Please visit links for both programs for more information.

Off-Campus Counselor Search

ThrivingCampus: Connect with off-campus therapists and other mental health care who work with college students in-person and online.