Skip to Main Content
UCLA Counseling and Psychological Center

What services does CAPS offer?

CAPS offers comprehensive supportive and clinical care tailored to your needs. You can expect to meet with a trained professional who is interested in listening to you and understanding your concerns so that they may assist you in addressing those concerns. Your clinician will be familiar with the unique stressors facing UCLA students and will collaborate with you to reduce barriers to achieving academic success and emotional well-being. Your clinician will maintain strict confidentiality within the parameters of California law (see Confidentiality for more information)

CAPS Services:

  • Triage services
  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Psychiatry services
  • ADHD testing
  • Care coordination and referral assistance
  • Prevention and outreach programming

What can I do if I need support after hours?

The CAPS phone line (310-825-0768) has counselors available to UCLA students 24 hours per day. Additionally, we encourage students to call 911 if their lives or the lives of others are in danger.

For those in CAPS treatment, we encourage you to make an individualized safety or support plan with your CAPS provider. If you are not a current CAPS client, we invite you to call and speak with a triage clinician who can assist in finding safety/support.

How do I know if I am eligible to receive treatment at CAPS?

Services offered at CAPS are offered only to students who are currently enrolled in degree granting programs at UCLA. View the UCLA General Catalog for more information on the qualifying degree programs provided by the College and professional schools at UCLA. UCLA Alumni, UCLA Extension Students, and those not currently enrolled at UCLA are not eligible for services at CAPS. CAPS can provide consultation and referrals for individuals who are not currently registered as a student at UCLA.

What will happen at the first appointment?

During the first appointment, also known as an intake session, you and your counselor will have an opportunity to get to know each other. Your counselor will likely ask many questions about you to gain a deeper understanding of your current concerns. Together you will begin to discuss what treatment options and/or campus resources would be most helpful in addressing your particular circumstances. Be sure to ask questions if you have them, this will help you and your counselor build a collaborative working relationship from the beginning.

*Prior to meeting with your counselor, you will need to complete some forms to provide information about your past and current emotional health. See more detailed information at How to Prepare for Your Appointment. Please check-in with the Front Desk reception 30-minutes prior to your appointment time to ensure you have enough time to complete the forms so it does not interfere with your face-to-face time with your counselor.

What can CAPS do if I can't see someone virtually or if I don't feel comfortable talking to someone out loud?

While we encourage students to find a secure and private space where they can speak freely, we realize that some students may not be able to do so due to circumstances beyond their control. CAPS has recently secured private rooms on campus that students can utilize for their on-going therapy appointments. Please ask the triage clinician if you would like to explore this option.

If you are able to speak on the phone, we encourage you to reach out to CAPS and speak to a triage clinician who may be able to problem solve and help to identify ways in which our services and resources may best be tailored to suit your unique needs. You can also utilize our online resources if you are unable to secure any private locations.

How many times can I see my counselor every academic year?

The number of sessions with your counselor will be determined by clinical necessity. You and your counselor will work together to discuss a treatment plan and options for further treatment beyond the scope of CAPS services.

What if I don't like my counselor?

We encourage you to provide feedback to your therapist about what you may find more beneficial in your sessions.

You may request a transfer of therapist which can be accommodated once without the need for administrative approval. Subsequent requests will need proper authorization. Requests may be made to your therapist, a Clinical Coordinator, or the Front Desk staff.

How much do CAPS services cost?

CAPS fees vary according to a student's registration status and enrollment in SHIP insurance. See Eligibility & Fees for details.

How is my information treated or stored?

We take protecting your privacy very seriously. Our staff of licensed independent practitioners operate under the professional conduct standard of the UC Faculty Code of Conduct and the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Our services are confidential, meaning that we will not disclose information about your treatment to anyone who is not directly involved in your care without your written permission, or as required by law. If you are age 18 or older, confidentiality includes not disclosing information about you or your treatment to your parent or guardian. For the undocumented student community, please know that clinicians do no state documentation status within records.

CAPS staff and interns adhere to state laws and ethical standards that require all client information disclosed within sessions to be kept confidential. To provide effective service, clinicians or psychiatrists may consult with other CAPS staff and qualified medical providers at the Ashe Center or UC Medical Center. Any other release of information requires the client's written consent, except where disclosure is required or allowed by law (e.g., where there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse of children, dependent adults, or elderly persons; where the client presents a serious danger of violence to another person; where the client is likely to harm themselves; or when required by a valid court order) and as delineated in the CAPS Notice of Privacy Practices. No mental health information will appear on a student's academic records, including any reference to whether or not CAPS services were ever used, unless the student specifically requests the disclosure of this information.

Can I get tested for ADD/ADHD?

CAPS offers ADD/ADHD evaluation for students with SHIP insurance. Students who have private insurance will be referred to providers in their insurance networks for evaluation. Learn more about ADHD Services at CAPS.

How do I get a refill for medication?

If the prescription has been provided by a CAPS psychiatrist, you can send a Secure Message (through the Patient Portal) to your psychiatrist requesting a refill or submit a request with the CAPS Front Desk Staff. If you have not yet established care at CAPS, you will need to start by meeting with a Triage Clinician. See Beginning Treatment for details.

For those seeking a stimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD, please note that in order to receive this type of medication you will need to complete a stimulant clearance examination through your Ashe PCP and either complete CAPS' ADHD assessment or have a copy of a formal psychoeducational evaluation that confirms the diagnosis of ADHD.

How to find a therapist off-campus/how to get in/be in touch with a therapist - how do I find a therapist outside of CAPS?

CAPS provides both referral and care coordination services to UCLA students. We encourage all students seeking off campus care to explore the Community Provider Database where you can search for therapists in the area who meet your specific needs (insurance, location, specialization).

If you are struggling to find an off-campus provider, please call CAPS and we can connect you with a Clinical Coordinator who may be able to assist in navigating the process of connecting with an off-campus referral.

How do I give feedback to CAPS?

The Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) and every member of our team is committed to maintaining the highest standards for client satisfaction. As such, we encourage all comments and suggestions from clients and their concerns loved ones. You can submit feedback confidentially through our online survey or contact our Director of Quality Programs, Kathleen Lambird, at klambird@caps.ucla.edu

If you have any comments about your experience with the student mental health services and options at UCLA and for general questions, please email bruin.mhac@gmail.com