Counseling Services

Short-term, Individual Counseling and Group Therapy help students succeed.

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A picture of counselors office, with warm lighting, a movie poster, and decorations such as bobbleheads and coffee mugs, all in front of a large, bright floor to ceiling window.

Individual Counseling

The primary service CAPS offers is our short-term, individual counseling, which is free for enrolled Seattle University students. Individual therapy provides students with the opportunity to identify, explore, and work through problems with a licensed clinician.  A therapist can help students enhance general coping skills and enable students to deal more effectively with personal problems and the normal challenges of life during undergraduate, graduate, or professional school.

CAPS therapists work within a short-term model; the number of sessions you have is based on clinical need determined by the therapist and the individual student. In order to provide counseling and psychological services to as many students as possible, we are not able to accommodate those who need or desire more frequent or ongoing psychotherapy. We can help you identify appropriate therapists and mental health professionals in the community. Visit our Case Management page to learn more. 

If you would like to make an appointment for scheduled individual counseling or learn more about our policies, visit the Appointments & Policies page. 

What Concerns Does CAPS Individual Counseling Address? 


The CAPS staff assists students in making a plan of action to address a wide variety of concerns. Depending on the concern, individual counseling or urgent hours may be the most appropriate service. The concerns CAPS staff have addressed include but are not limited to:

  • Adjusting to college/homesickness
  • Academic concerns (test anxiety, motivation, career uncertainties)
  • Self-esteem
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship concerns
  • Family conflicts
  • Roommate conflicts
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Disordered eating concerns
  • Coping with loss
  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Sexuality
  • Identity
  • Coping with disability or chronic illness
  • Mental health
  • Sexual abuse, sexual assault
  • Relationship violence

Drop-In Hours

CAPS Drop-In hours (formerly Urgent Care hours) are time for students without an appointment to speak with a counselor, on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon arrival, students will complete a short questionnaire so we can determine what type of session would be appropriate for their needs. Drop-In hours include Crisis sessions and are offered at the First Hill campus from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Mondays - Fridays, and the South Lake Union campus from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.

Drop-In hours include but are not limited to Crisis/Urgent Care services. Students experiencing a mental health crisis are recommended to visit our office during Drop-In hours to speak with a counselor. During these times a counselor is dedicated to responding to drop-in students, but we welcome students experiencing a mental health crisis during all open hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays). Our staff will respond to crisis concerns outside of Drop-In hours to the best of our ability. 

Contact our office if you have any additional questions. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, visit our Suicide and Crisis Information page. 

Group Therapy 

The CAPS office is happy to offer group therapy opportunities for Seattle University students, to provide them with an avenue to discuss and process mental health concerns collectively.

Under facilitation of CAPS staff, clients will join other student clients in discussion and processing of the relevant mental health concern or skill building topic. Students understand that CAPS staff will facilitate the group to the best of their abilities and are not liable for the behavior of other group members, whether in or outside of group meetings.

Group Therapy & Skills Building Topics 

Group therapy and skills building offerings will cover a variety of mental health topics in an effort to support the whole student. Some groups offered to Seattle University will be available for open sign-up, while others will require a screening process for admission to ensure that care is being offered to students who would benefit from the resource. Group therapy will never be mandated but may be recommended to clients at all stages of their mental health care. 

Previous group topics include Build Your Social Confidence and Handling Holiday Stress. 

Registration for Groups

Registration instructions for groups will be posted on our web page and on all group promotional materials. If there are any questions about registering for groups please contact our office at caps@seattleu.edu, 206-692-6090, or find us in PAVL 120.