CAPS offers short-term individual and group counseling; consultation for faculty, staff, parents, and students; and educational programs to the campus community. Comprehensive services are available during the academic year (fall and spring semesters), and limited services are available during summer sessions. 

Any enrolled student can make an appointment for an initial visit with a counselor to assess clinical needs and recommendations and to identify appropriate resources. After the initial visit, counseling sessions at CAPS will be scheduled depending on individual need and available resources. Sessions are often time-limited and solution-focused. Students who want or need more frequent or longer-term contact with a counselor may be referred to off-campus resources.

Not all types of counseling related issues are best dealt with at CAPS. CAPS does not provide on-going weekly counseling, treatment for severe psychological disorders, or court-mandated treatment. Weekly therapy is best provided by off-campus resources, and CAPS helps students to find off-campus counseling in these cases. We work with local providers to find ones that have openings and that work with the student’s insurance. There are several resources in the community that lower fees for students who cannot afford counseling or that see students regardless of ability to pay. If you would like to find a therapist yourself, the Psychology Today website is an excellent resource that allows you to search by location, insurance provider, type of therapy, among others. CAPS can also inform students about the best ways to get transportation to off-campus appointments, including use of the Medi-Car Service available through the Health Center.

Check to see if your existing Psychotherapy or Psychiatry provider is able and willing to continue to see you via Telehealth! You may not need to switch services.  This availability may be impacted by licensing restrictions for out-of-state students but NY resident students may have this available as an option.

Students seek counseling for a wide range of concerns. Many have issues related to typical development, such as identity or relationship issues. Others are dealing with more specific psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, bereavement, substance abuse, or eating and body image issues. Some students are not sure what the problem might be—they just know they are having a hard time studying, eating, sleeping, or otherwise functioning. A counselor can help sort out what’s wrong in order to help get students back on track. 

Initial appointments may be scheduled as soon as the next day, although availability of these appointments depends on the student’s schedule and the demand for appointments. We do our best to schedule initial appointments within 5-7 business days. We recommend scheduled appointments for non-crisis matters. These appointments are longer (approx. 60 minutes), more in-depth, and preserve crisis hours for students with urgent concerns. The first appointment at CAPS is focused on students’ presenting concerns and a comprehensive mental health assessment. CAPS goals for this appointment are to provide professional support and recommendations for next steps.

Students who want ongoing counseling are given counseling options so that they can make an informed choice between an off-campus referral and more counseling at CAPS. For those who wish to keep meeting with CAPS counselors, scheduling varies based on the student’s availability and the clinical needs of the student.  Students are also informed about the availability of crisis services.

Yes. Medication can only be prescribed by medical personnel through Cayuga Health at Ithaca College in the Hammond Health Center. Contact them at 607-274-3177 for more information.

CAPS staff can also refer students to local psychiatrists in the Ithaca area. 

If there’s a crisis, any student with urgent needs can be seen the same day for Same Day Crisis Services (SDCS). SDCS are not counseling sessions, instead these brief (30 minute) appointments are designed for assessment of crisis, problem-solving, and recommendations. Any need for continued counseling can be scheduled for future appointments. SDCS is typically offered from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call CAPS for more information at 274-3136.

On weekends, holidays, and after 5 PM, the CAPS After-Hours On-Call Counselor is available for students in distress. The Office of Public Safety is available to address life-threatening situations 24 hours a day.

Counselors are available during business hours to consult about the well-being of an Ithaca College student. Strategies for helping the student and, if appropriate, getting the student in to see a counselor can be discussed. CAPS staff members do not contact students to inquire about their mental health or ask them to come in for an appointment. It is our belief that counseling is most effective when it is voluntary, and many students often contact us at the urging of family, friends and advisors. On weekends, holidays, and after 5 PM, the CAPS After-Hours On-Call Counselor is available for consultation.  

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of a student, contact the Office of Public Safety (607-274-3333).

By law, and according to ethical principles, information about counseling is confidential except in rare circumstances. No information can be released, including whether or not a person is attending counseling, without the informed written consent of the client. If it seems that there would be a therapeutic benefit to release information to a third party, a counselor will discuss this with the client and come to a mutual understanding about the nature of such a release.

There are exceptions to this related to the age of the student (i.e. if they are a minor under NYS Law). For more information, please read our Confidentiality Policy.

Services are FREE.  We do not utilize insurance or third party payment of any kind.  

Appointments are required (except for emergencies) and can be made in person at CAPS (located on the ground floor of the Hammond Health Center) or by calling 607-274-3136. Business hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.