We offer a wide range of services...

Individual counseling ~ Groups & workshops
Crisis intervention ~ Residence Hall Counseling
Alcohol and Other Drugs ~ Career Assessments

Individual Counseling

Who do we see?
All eligible CU-Boulder students for individual, couple, and /or family counseling.

How much does it cost?
Our counseling sessions are free of charge.

What will you receive?
Up to seven confidential counseling sessions with a professional counselor or psychologist.

How do I get started?
Come by Willard 134 during our "walk-in" hours for a brief initial interview session with a counselor. Walk-in times are from 9 am to 4 pm.

What happens when I first arrive?
You will be greeted by our front office staff and asked to fill out some forms. You will then have the opportunity to meet with the walk-in counselor to discuss your situation. At that time, the counselor will provide you with a future appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services and/or a referral to another agency to assist you with your needs.

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Groups and Workshops

How effective is group counseling?
Research suggests that group counseling is the treatment of choice for many issues that are common among university students. It has been shown to be as effective as individual counseling, and for some issues, it can be even more effective than individual counseling.

How can group counseling be as effective as individual counseling? I'm concerned I'll "lose out."
Most individuals are pleasantly surprised at how much they gain from participating in group. Unlike individual counseling, group therapy provides invaluable opportunities for you to connect with others who might have similar problems, practice new interpersonal skills in a group context, and gain multiple perspectives on your concerns from different group members.

What does a typical group session look like?
Groups at CAPS vary significantly in session format. Many groups are structured or semi-structured; these groups are somewhat similar to experiential workshops in that most group sessions focus on a particular topic. Each session usually consists of brief lectures by the group leaders, group discussions, and experiential activities.

CAPS also offers general therapy groups that are typically much less structured. There isn't a specific topic for each group session. Members are welcome to bring any issues to the group that feel are important, and the primary focus of therapy in the group is on the interactions among group members. This occurs as members give each other feedback on their interpersonal styles and identify ways in which they feel more connected to one another.

Please click here to learn more about the variety of groups that we offer. You may also utilize our walk-in services from 9 am – 4 pm, Monday through Friday, to meet with a counselor and discuss group services and how a group may meet your needs. You can call our main office at (303) 492-6766 to be connected with a specific group leader as well.

In what ways is a group similar to/different than being in a class?
Our structured groups or workshops are a little similar to classes in that each group has a "syllabus" and the group leaders teach on particular topics each session. However, there are usually more opportunities for discussion and experiential activities than in a classroom. Another important difference is that you don't have a test or an exam!

Our general therapy or themed groups bear almost no resemblance to a class. As mentioned above, group sessions are relatively unstructured and do not have a syllabus. The group sessions tend to be much more flexible and discussions are tailored to meet the needs of the group members as they arise each session.

Do I have to reveal all my deepest secrets and feelings to the group?
No, you don't have to do that! You decide how much you want to share and no one can force you to reveal your secrets or feelings. Most group members tend to share more about themselves when they feel safe in the group. While we recognize that sharing can sometimes be uncomfortable, we also know that many members report getting more out of group when they decide to share more personal aspects of themselves. We encourage you to be aware of your pace for group involvement and to share when you feel comfortable doing so.

Because there are so many group members, I'm afraid that I'll have few opportunities to talk.
Figuring out how to get your needs met in group is a very common concern among members. If you find yourself needing more time in the group, we recommend that you bring it up within the group. Group is an excellent place to work on assertiveness!

I am shy by nature; I won't be able to talk as much as the other group members.
That's really ok. It's normal that some members will talk less than others in the group. You can tell the group that you're shy. We encourage group members to be respectful of individual differences. You can take your time to open up to the group.

What is the policy on confidentiality in a group setting?
Group therapy is the same as individual therapy in that everything that is said remains strictly confidential. The difference between individual and group with regard to confidentiality is that not only the therapist is bound by confidentiality – all group members are also bound by Colorado law to keep group material confidential. All members sign a group participation agreement before joining in which they commit to keeping others’ identities and stories completely confidential.

What if a member of the group is my friend or classmate?
We recognize that it might be awkward to be in the same group with a friend/classmate. Please let group leaders know immediately if you have an existing relationship with someone else in the group. If that happens, the group leaders, in consultation with the group members, will decide how best to resolve this situation. It may work out to have both of you stay in the same group, or it may be best to have one of you find a different group to join. In the latter case, leaders will consult with you or your friend/classmate and do our best to find another appropriate group that matches your needs and schedule.

If I don't like the group, can I get out of it?
Yes, it's possible to leave the group if you're uncomfortable with it. We know that group is often uncomfortable at the beginning - if you feel this way, you are not alone! We also know that group members report feeling more comfortable after a few sessions, so most group leaders encourage their members to remain in the group for at least a few sessions before they decide to leave. If you do decide to leave the group after attending the first few sessions, most leaders ask that you come to the group one more time to say goodbye to other members.

How many people are in a typical group?
Most groups have between 6 -10 students and 1-2 group leaders.

What kind of people join a group?
Only CU-Boulder students are eligible to join our groups. Students who join our groups do so with different needs and concerns. In our structured groups, group members usually identify with a specific concern related to the group theme. For example, members who join the Dissertation Support usually identify with the theme of struggling to complete their dissertations. Our general therapy groups are made up of members with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, and self-esteem issues. Many students also have feelings of loneliness, isolation, or anxiety in social situations – group can be a great place to work on these issues as well!

What role do the group leaders play?
Group leaders guide and facilitate self-exploration, give feedback and support, provide comments on interpersonal issues in the group, and encourage group cohesion. In our structured groups, group leaders take a more active role than in our process groups by providing instruction on specific topics related to the group theme.

All groups are facilitated by professional staff with graduate degrees in counseling, psychology, or social work. Some groups are co-facilitated by non-CU advanced graduate student therapists as well.

What types of groups do you offer?
View a list of our groups this semester.

How long do groups last?
Most unstructured groups last 8-12 weeks. Others will continue from one semester to the next, perhaps taking a break over summer and winter breaks. You will be informed of your group's duration before it starts.

Our structured groups are only a few sessions or are drop-in.

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Crisis Intervention

We provide immediate crisis intervention and consultation to academic departments, faculty, staff, parents and students. You can access a counselor by calling 303-492-6766 during business hours for support.

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Residence Hall Counseling

The Counselor-in-Residence (CIR) Program places licensed masters or doctoral-level therapists directly into residence halls to address the mental-health concerns of residents and Residence Life staff. We currently have therapists located on-site at Williams Village, College Inn, Athens North and Kittredge during the academic year.

The objective of the CIR program is to support the academic and personal growth of students through the provision of on-site and easily accessed consultation and mental-health support services. Services include:

• Walk-In hours that allow students to speak to a therapist without an appointment to learn about services and to assist with immediate crises.
• Follow-up services to residents and staff following crisis situations
• Consultation with Residential Life staff on mental-health issues
• Brief therapy with residents and Residence Life staff
• Presentations and workshop for the residential communities at CU.

Drop-in hours are posted on each office door during the academic year
or call to make an appointment at 303-492-6766.

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Alcohol and Other Drugs

Here is a brief listing of our Alcohol and Other Drugs services. Click here for a fuller description of these services

• Assessment
• Individual Therapy
• Dynamic Choices Group
• OASIS - A Sober Community
• Parental Support
• Alcohol Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Support

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Career Assessments

We offer students an opportunity to sign up for assessments designed to help well functioning people to know more about themselves and to make better decisions.  Learn more here.

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