Getting Started

At CAPS we offer individual counseling, group counseling, wellness workshops, referrals to long-term services in the community, and psychiatric medication management services on-site. All counseling services are provided to students who are registered students and have paid the current semester Counseling and Health Fee.  Counseling services now may be provided either virtually or in person, depending on students’ needs and preferences. Students will determine, with their brief consultation counselor, which format is best for them moving forward. Some reasons to be seen virtually include transportation barriers, distance from campus, and accessibility concerns. 

• I'd like to speak with a counselor. How do I get started?
  • To get started you may schedule an initial brief consultation by using our self scheduler on your Wolfie Health Portal or you may call the office at 631-632-6720, Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, to speak to someone who can help you schedule your appointment and answer any questions you may have.
  • You will receive a text message reminder for your appointment. To facilitate possible future messaging, please be sure to "opt-in" to receive text messages. You can do so by clicking on the "Forms" tab in the Wolfie Health Portal, and scrolling down to select "Text Messaging Opt-in."
  • Once you choose an available appointment time, you will be asked to complete paperwork and consent forms, which will take about 10 minutes. Completing this information provides us with your consent to counsel you and helps us understand what your needs are and how best we can help you.
• What if I have to cancel my appointment?

  Things happen, and sometimes we may have to cancel for unexpected reasons. If you need to cancel your appointment please call the front desk at (631) 632-6720 as soon as possible after you become aware that you cannot come to your appointment. You can leave a message if you are calling outside of business hours, or you can cancel your appointment via the self scheduler.

• What to expect when you come to CAPS

  Everyone seeking services at CAPS first speaks with a CAPS counselor to talk more about your situation and which services may be the best fit for you.  These appointments last approximately 20-30 min. The counselor will then collaborate with you to make recommendations based on your unique needs, discuss different treatment options, and assist you in getting connected to the most appropriate services. Sometimes those services may be provided on campus and other times they may be off campus.

• What happens during and after my initial brief consultation?

  During your initial meeting you, and your counselor will discuss next steps based on your individual needs and your identified goals. They will ask you to think about what was spoken about, review the possible options, think about what best fits your needs, and schedule a follow up appointment with you to further clarify and discuss. Options may include brief solution focused counseling at the counseling center on campus, a referral to a local outside provider that can best meet your needs, and /or utilizing a variety of other services available on or off campus including groups and workshops.  

  If you have any questions or concerns about the counseling process, please know that your counselor will be more than happy to discuss them with you. The specific course of your counseling experience will depend on the issues you bring into counseling, your counselor's perspective, and the goals you set for your work together.

• Am I eligible for services offered through CAPS?

  All counseling services are provided to students who are registered students and have paid the current semester Counseling and Health Fee. There are no co-pays for any services you receive unless you utilize the pharmacy for prescription needs.