Frequently Asked Questions
What is counseling?
Counseling is a cooperative process between you and a counselor to explore and resolve your personal concerns. Counselors may vary in their specific approaches, but there are many similarities, including building trusting and nonjudgmental relationships, maintaining your privacy, and helping you seek ways to resolve your struggles. Counseling can help you cope more effectively with a variety of concerns, including adjustment to college, family and relationship concerns, academic and career questions, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Who is eligible for counseling services at CAPS?
Any undergraduate or graduate student of St. Cloud State University who is currently enrolled may be seen for individual, group, or couples counseling. During summer months, summer school students or students enrolled in fall semester may be seen for services. Students who were enrolled the preceding spring semester and plan to enroll for fall semester may also receive services during the summer. Students who drop all courses or withdraw from a semester become ineligible for services and may be referred to providers in the community to ensure continuity of care.
How much will counseling cost?
Counseling and Psychological Services will bill your medical insurance for billable services. There are some services at the counseling center that are not billable, including mental health triage visits. Case management and group therapy are also at no cost to students. Your bill is determined by your insurance plan. If you do not have health insurance, we will connect you to a Navigator who can help you sign up for health insurance. If you aren't sure if you have insurance or what your coverage is, call the number on the back of your insurance card for more information. Staff at the counseling center are committed to helping you through this process so reach out for help if you need it. Office support staff can assist with insurance navigation questions. Please know that if you’re struggling to pay for healthcare bills, we will help with problem solving and, in some instances, accessing emergency/grant funds. It is most important that you get the help you need.
Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can attend?
We have no set limit on the number of sessions available to you. The number of sessions you attend is typically based on your counselor’s assessment of your need, your preferences, and the overall demand for services in our center.
Can I be seen for counseling during summer?
Yes. Beginning July 5th, CAPS is open during student breaks and summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Will the counseling center keep what I say private?
Yes, CAPS counselors treat you and your personal information confidentially. Confidentiality applies to information such as your identity, when and how often you attended counseling, what you shared, and any information about your mental health or how you are doing. These records are not part of your academic record, and we do not let parents, professors, or anyone else know that you have been in counseling unless you have given consent for your information to be shared.
When can counselors share my personal information with others outside the center?
In most cases, only with your consent will counselors share information about you with persons outside the center. On rare occasions we may share information about you without your consent. This might occur if we feel you are at imminent risk of danger to yourself or someone else, if a court orders us to do so, or because we are mandated to report abuse of children and vulnerable adults.
