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.