What We Offer
Services During the Pandemic
As you know, the University has taken several steps to assist in managing the spread of Covid-19. We at CAPS have been working diligently to make a plan to continue to support students’ mental and emotional well-being, while considering maintaining physical health of students and staff. During the summer, CAPS will be seeing clients in-person and via telehealth. Client's can be seen via telehealth Monday-Friday. Our office will be open for in person appointments Tuesday-Thursday. When we reopen we will follow our our plan to ensure the health and safety of students and staff during this time. If you are interested in support from CAPS, please email at [email protected] or call 734-487-1118 to communicate your interest. Consent forms for treatment and telehealth services as well as other clinical documentation must be completed before your session. .
Due to mental health licensing laws, all students being seen for therapy or psychiatry via telehealth must be physically in Michigan at the time of service. Students who are living outside of Michigan will be assisted in finding care in their home community.
Please understand this current plan is based on information available to CAPS at this time and may change at any moment.
We understand this is a challenging time for many and CAPS will continue to provide support as best we can during this time. If you are experiencing stress or anxiety regarding Covid-19, please review tips to manage this stress. You can also find tips at our Facebook page and Instagram page. Finally, up to date information is available regarding EMU’s response to COVID-19.
Individual Therapy
Counseling—or psychotherapy—is a professional relationship with a therapist to help you with personal problems. The counseling relationship differs from both social friendships and traditional patient/doctor relationships. Rather than giving you specific advice, counselors serve as skilled listeners who help you clarify goals, work through issues and explore feelings. Ultimately, psychotherapy helps you deal more effectively with your problems.
A counselor doesn’t solve your problems for you. Rather, they help you clarify issues so you can solve problems on your own. The goal of counseling is to make you more self-sufficient, not more dependent.
CAPS offers short-term (a maximum of 12 sessions per academic year) counseling focusing on finding solutions to problems and relieving symptoms. Counseling is only offered to EMU students who are enrolled at least half-time and is free of charge. Non-emergency appointments must be scheduled in advance.
EMU students come to CAPS for counseling for many reasons such as:
- Decrease anxiety or worry
- Reduce feelings of sadness or depression
- Learn how to cope with stress
- Relationship problems
- Change behaviors that get in the way of academic success
- Cope with the death of a friend or family member
- Manage thoughts about suicide
- Reduce self-harm
- Discuss eating or alcohol problems
- Manage concerns relating to sexuality
- Recover from past abusive experiences
- Get help adjusting to life in a new culture
Psychiatric Services
CAPS offers limited psychiatry appointments for medication. Psychiatry appointments are not free but we accept EMU student insurance and many forms of Blue Cross. Call us for more information about ways to pay for psychiatric services or if you have any questions.
Good Faith Notice for Psychiatry Notice Expand dropdownNOTICE FOR PSYCHIATRY PATIENTS
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your
medical care will cost.- Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.
- You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
- For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
- This notice is not intended to be a full summary of the No Surprises Act. It is intended only to be a general information summary of technical legal standards.
Referrals/Longer-term Care
Because our services may not be appropriate for what you are experiencing, your counselor may recommend career counseling, academic tutoring, medical evaluation or another counseling agency or mental health professional. If you require more than 12 sessions, you will also receive a referral. You can also contact your insurance to learn how to connect to providers in the community.
Consultation for Faculty, Staff or Friends
Faculty and staff may speak with a CAPS staff member about a student/classroom problem. Discussion may resolve the problem or help the student obtain the proper referral. Find resources for faculty and staff.
If you're concerned about a friend, you can talk with a therapist by phone or set up a brief appointment. If you think it is a crisis, call immediately.
Special Events
CAPS offers several special events and programs throughout the year, such as National Depression Screening Day. Please call 734.487.1118 for the latest information. Light Therapy
What is light therapy?
Research indicates that natural light affects the receptors in our brains that produce serotonin. Serotonin levels affect people’s mood. Fall and winter seasons are characterized by a reduced amount of daylight. Light therapy provides a full spectrum of artificial light into your eyes. According to NAMI, “Scientists believe that light therapy works by altering the levels of certain brain chemicals.” Light therapy consists of sitting about 2-3 feet from the SAD light for about 20-30 minutes. Morning is the recommended time for light therapy. You can eat or read while sitting in front of the light.
When is light therapy not enough?
- When symptoms occur throughout the year
- When symptoms don't improve with light treatment
- When suicidal thoughts occur
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are uncommon and usually mild. Light therapy consumers have complained of eyestrain, dry eyes, headaches, or insomnia. The effects can be combated by reduced time and light exposure. People who have bipolar disorder are encouraged to consult with a physician prior to using the lamp. In addition, people who are taking light sensitive medications or have medical conditions such as retinal diseases, diabetes, and lupus should use light therapy only with physician approval.
I am interested in light therapy. What should I do next?
- A counselor may use a screening tool or assessment to help determine whether light therapy is right for you. If you would like to learn if light therapy is a good option for you, please call 734-487-1118.
Want to learn more about seasonal depression?
Groups and Workshops
CAPS offers a variety of groups and workshops during the Fall and Winter Semesters. To attend these groups, you must first attend an intake appointment and group-screening. Please call 734.487.1118 for more information or to schedule an intake.
Coming Out/Being Out
This group will be offered on Fridays from 1:00 - 2:30. To participate, you will need to complete an intake and/or a group screen. Please call CAPS at 734-487-1118 or email at [email protected].
This group is designed for students who identify as LGBTQAI or questioning their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. We discuss issues regarding the lifelong process of coming out, being out, sexuality, identity and other topics.
Not the Perfect Family
This group will be offered on Fridays from 10:00 - 11:30. To participate, you will need to complete an intake and/or a group screen. Please call CAPS at 734-487-1118 or email [email protected].
This interpersonal process group is for students struggling with family conflict and dysfunction, both current and past. We'll explore important moments in your family history and improve your understanding of family dynamics. We will also discuss how your family relationships impact your current mental health and relationships.
NAMI Sponsored:
Campuses in Color
This group is sponsored by the Washtenaw County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Join us for a tri-campus well-being support group for graduate and undergraduate students of color at U-M, EMU, and WCC. Support group meetings will be held on the 1st & 3rd Sundays 3-5 PM (rotating between in-person and on zoom)
Upcoming Dates (** dates are in-person):
February 5 + 19
March 5** + 19
April 2 + 16**Register at: