Direct Service

CAPS strives to provide the greatest benefit to the most students in the shortest amount of time. Throughout our history at CAPS 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," we developed the case review process. The Case Review Committee is a team composed of CAPS staff that collaboratively consult with the clinician to consider future directions for treatment after clinical work has extended beyond fifteen sessions. Therapists work with the committee to determine if the client's needs can still be best conceptualized with short-term principles or if the client would be better served with more consistent long-term psychotherapy. We believe this process encourages us to value clinical judgment and the needs of our clients while keeping in the forefront of our minds our short-term mission.

Each intern is required to co-lead with a senior staff member at least one personal 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 CAPS 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 several staff psychologists in the delivery of crisis services.

The first session is called a triage appointment. In this brief, 25-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 CAPS 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 CAPS to meet the client's needs. It is incumbent on the intern to make an appropriate disposition.

CAPS is strongly committed to assisting students with academic performance and career development issues. Additionally, career counseling services at CAPS are designed to support retention of first generation college students. Training in career counseling uses a holistic approach.

Interns 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.

Interns provide consultation with faculty, staff, and family members of students. Outreach consists of topical presentations to various campus groups. Interns are required to conduct at least eight outreach programs during the internship year.