If you are new to CAPS: All students are asked to call our office at 802-656-3340 to be scheduled for a phone contact with a counselor. During that call, the counselor will ask some brief questions in order to best assist directing students to the appropriate resources and supports for their needs. Such immediate recommendations may include (but are not limited to) drop-in resources, group therapy options, other on-campus resources, off-campus referrals, or an initial consultation appointment at CAPS.

Initial consultation appointments s are 45-minute appointments that focus on information gathering, immediate support, and discussing further next steps that may include additional services at CAPS, a referral to a community provider or other campus resources. CAPS does our very best to schedule students for initial consultations within the same week or the next week if possible. Also, CAPS does reserve same-day initial consultations for students with urgent concerns or safety needs.

If you are already a client at CAPS: You may schedule an appointment by calling our front desk at 802-656-3340 and requesting to meet with your counselor.

Our first priority is your safety and sense of wellbeing.

• If you are in a life-threatening situation right now, please call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital (if you are in the Burlington area this is University of Vermont Medical Center at 111 Colchester Avenue).
•  If your need is urgent (not life-threatening) and requires a same-day appointment, please call CAPS at 802-656-3340 to speak with a counselor for a phone contact in order to access those same-day services. Same-day appointments focus on providing immediate support, discussing available resources, and planning next steps. If it is after normal business hours and your need is urgent, you may reach the on-call counselor for phone assistance by calling CAPS at 802-656-3340.

When scheduled for an initial consultation appointment after speaking with a counselor over the phone, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire at MyWellbeing, the Center for

Health & Wellbeing’s secure online portal. Your counselor will use this information to begin understanding your concerns.

At your initial consultation appointment, the counselor will share information about CAPS services, talk with you about your current needs, provide immediate support and make a plan for next steps, which may include CAPS services, a referral to a community provider or other UVM resources.

CAPS is designed for short-term counseling. When longer-term counseling is desired or recommended, your counselor will assist you in determining alternative services that will best meet your needs.

Wondering about cost?

•  CAPS Counseling is available at no cost to any UVM student who is eligible to use the services at the Center for Health & Wellbeing.
• CAPS Psychiatry is available to UVM students at an additional fee (learn more).

CAPS staff is available to consult with anyone who is concerned about a UVM student. To access a counselor, please call our front desk at 656-3340. These consultations are available in-person or by telephone. When possible, you will be able to speak with a counselor immediately. If all counselors are busy, you will be asked to schedule a phone consultation for later in the day.

If it is after normal business hours and your need is URGENT, you may reach the on-call counselor by calling the CAPS office at 802-656-3340.