Direct Service

University Health Services strives to provide the greatest benefit to the most students in the shortest amount of time. Throughout our history at University Health Services we have wrestled with what it means both philosophically and practically to be a short-term agency. This struggle is born out of our belief that flexibility, creativity and a respect for the therapist's clinical judgment are key elements in creating a healthy therapeutic alliance and helping clients move forward. In our desire to foster growth and respect in clinical judgment and to encourage clinicians to think "outside of the box."

Each intern is required to co-lead with a senior staff member at least one therapy group during the fall semester. During the spring interns have the option to co-lead another group of their choice with a senior staff member or another intern (under the supervision of a senior staff member). Although individual counseling at CAPS is offered through a brief therapy model, group counseling can be longer term in nature.

Expressed needs of University Health Services clients determine the number and content of groups. Sometimes, in order to meet a newly defined need or to deal with client press, new groups are formed during the course of the semester. Types of groups that are offered include general process groups, structured groups, and groups with a particular theme.

Training in crisis intervention occurs in the initial orientation of interns and throughout the year as each intern works closely with administrators and our crisis team in the delivery of crisis services.

The first session is called an initial assessment. In this brief, 45-minute session, you will conduct an assessment to get a broad idea of what’s bringing the client in. The goal is for you to collaborate together on what kinds of services, either at University Health Services or elsewhere, will be the most helpful for the client.

In an initial session an intern is responsible for clarifying the presenting problem(s), assessing the need for immediate intervention, creating an initial treatment plan, and evaluating the appropriateness of University Health Services to meet the client's needs. It is incumbent on the intern to make an appropriate disposition.

Interns may have the opportunity to provide supervision to practicum students during the spring semester. Practicum students most often come from the doctoral counseling psychology program at Texas A&M, although relationships with the Texas A&M clinical psychology program and counseling-related programs at other nearby universities have also been established. The availability of this opportunity varies based on the current size of our practicum program.

Interns provide consultation with faculty, staff, and family members of students.