Mental Health

• Individual therapy 
• Daily walk-in hours 
• Crisis intervention  
• Workshops and mental health trainings 
• Consultation to faculty, staff, families, and outside care providers 

If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment at CAPS, we request you provide at least 24 hours’ notice of the cancellation. Please call our office (610-499-1261) or email your clinician to cancel. Walk-in hours do not require an appointment.  

All current, full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Widener University are eligible for services at CAPS, with some exceptions. You can confirm your eligibility for services by calling our office at (610) 499-1261. CAPS services are free and confidential.  

Widener employees can access services from the Employee Assistance Plan through Human Resources.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides short-term, developmentally appropriate counseling services to Widener students who are enrolled full time. Treatment is individually tailored to promote the health and well-being of the whole student to foster a sense of belonging and enhance academic success.  

CAPS services are not an appropriate substitute for specialized or intensive mental healthcare. Students whose presenting concerns require long-term treatment or students who would prefer long-term therapy can request to meet with a CAPS staff member for assistance in finding a referral to a mental health care provider in the community. Some common reasons for an outside referral include, but are not limited to:

• History of psychiatric hospitalizations 
• The need for frequent crisis management 
• Acute symptoms which require intensive treatment or a higher level of care 
• A desire to be seen more than once per week
• Issues which require specialized interventions not offered by CAPS staff (such as substance use disorders or eating disorders) 
   

If you are unsure whether or not the services at CAPS are the best fit for your needs, our staff will be happy to meet with you to discuss your individual situation.

Please note:

• CAPS staff do not mandate psychological evaluations or treatment, unless required in an emergency (i.e., danger to self or others).
• CAPS staff do not offer assessment, evaluation, or treatment to clients or their family members solely to satisfy or avoid legal sanctions or purposes or for the reason of receiving benefits from social service agencies. 
• CAPS staff do not provide evaluations for the request of a support or service animal. For more information about this accommodation, please visit Widener’s Student Accessibility Services. 

As a parent or loved one, there may be times when you become concerned for your child's well-being. You are welcome to call and ask to consult with a member of our professional team. Due to the limits of confidentiality and professional ethics, we may not be able to confirm if your student is a client, but we can certainly listen and, if necessary, take appropriate steps to address your concerns.