During business hours (M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm), call us at (513) 556-0648 to schedule a free appointment with a counselor. 

If you are in need of crisis support or after hours care, dial (513) 556-0648 and follow the prompts to be connected to care. 

Meet with a Counselor

Our counselors are here to help you and are experienced working with students across a range of concerns. We will meet with you and collaborate in developing strategies and resources that best meet your individual needs. Get to know our staff and learn more about each of our approaches to working with students.  

Ways to Connect with a Counselor

Initial Consult

Our initial consultation appointment is our first point of contact and is free. At this session, we will discuss the nature of your concerns and work together on next steps. CAPS provides solution-focused counseling services and many of your concerns can be addressed within this brief model.  You may be connected with other CAPS services or referred to a community partner or external therapist. 

Individual Therapy

Individual counseling is not easily described in general statements. At its core is a collaborative relationship that develops between you and the therapist (and members of a group).  Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it requires a very active effort on your part. In order for therapy to be most successful, you will need to work on things discussed in your sessions at other times as well. 

Many students use individual therapy to address personal concerns. Students typically seek services for help with adjusting to new situations, managing stress, difficulties in relationships, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, family problems and personal identity. Sometimes academic difficulties may reflect an underlying problem in one of these areas.

Group Therapy

Group Based Services provide group-based counseling treatment services to UC students that address a variety of topics ranging from anxiety, depression, mindfulness to social justice. Group therapy is often a treatment of choice for many students’ concerns. By engaging in group therapy, students can expect improved overall well-being and connection with others.

Groups are free and confidential for all UC enrolled students. Talk to a clinician and ask about our group counseling program to get connected and learn more. A pre-group appointment with the facilitator(s) is needed before attending a group. 

We offer a variety of groups each semester including support, theme focused, or general process therapy groups. Groups may be in-person or virtual.

Summer 2023 Groups

In-Person, Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30pm

The ARISE group is a gender-inclusive group for all survivors of sexual and/or relationship violence. ARISE group provides a safe and empowering space for group members to connect with other survivors, talk about their experiences, and identify what they need to move forward in their healing journey.

In-Person, Thursdays, 2:30-4:00pm

This is a psychoeducational and experiential group informed by the Gottman Method with experiences tailored to individuals/partners looking to further develop relational skills that support building romantic connections. Students will walk away with skills that foster relational-awareness, boundaries, listening skills, conflict skills, and foundational friendship and play. 

In-Person, Thursdays, 3:00-4:30pm

A four-week group experience where we’ll utilize the art of collaging with magazine images to explore the values we hold and what our soul wants to tell us. We’ll engage in vision board exercises as well as SoulCollagetm practice. 

In-Person, Tuesdays, 2:00-3:30pm

Learn effective strategies for a compassionate way to view yourself and others that improves mood, reduces stress, and builds healthy relationships.

In-Person, Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm

Want to learn more about yourself, building healthy and fulfilling relationships, while trying new ways of connecting with others? This group provides the opportunity to gain a better understanding of yourself, share personal experiences, and receive support and feedback. Topics vary from week to week depending on group members’ needs and focus can be given to stressors and experiences associated with graduate school.  

What costs are associated with group therapy?

All of our groups are free to currently enrolled students at the University of Cincinnati. 

What time commitments are associated with group therapy?

All of our groups require weekly 90 minute meetings. Groups typically meet for the duration of a semester for an average of ten meetings per semester.  

How many members are in a typical group?

Group membership can vary by topic and semester. Groups typically include 5-8 student group members with one to two CAPS clinicians acting as group facilitators. If you are interested in the exact number of group members of a specific group, feel free to ask the group facilitator for the group you intend to join. 

I’m nervous about sharing my concerns in a group setting. Is this okay?

Absolutely! It is normal to feel nervous about starting a new group. Most new group members experience fears of rejection and embarrassment when starting group. Fortunately these feelings typically subside within a few sessions. You will never be forced to share anything you do not want to share.  

What would happen if a group member is also my friend/roommate/acquaintance? 

We understand that it can be awkward to have a friend, roommate, or acquaintance in your group. If this would occur, you could inform your group facilitator(s) of the situation. The group facilitator(s), in conjunction with group members, would attempt to find a solution that maximizes the benefit and minimizes the risks for group members. In some cases, both group members may remain in the same group. In other cases, one group member may be asked to join another group. 

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Services

UC CAPS provides support for UC students who have survived rape, sexual assault, harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual orientation or gender discrimination, and are seeking therapy to focus on the impact of sexual violence through the ARISE (awareness response intervention support empowerment) program. Students receive mental health services at no cost. To participate in ARISE, you are not required to report your experiences to the Office of Gender, Equity and Inclusion (formerly Title IX) or anyone else on campus.

Case Management

For clients who have other needs, we provide case management services, helping them identify on-campus or community resources. This may include financial, legal, academic, or housing issues as well as support with referral to specialized mental health care.

UC has many offices that assist students with academic and personal needs. These include Learning Commons, Women's Center, African American Resource Center, Ethnic Programs and Services, LGBTQ Center, Center for Access and Transition, Career Center, Financial Aid, University Health Services, Accessibility Resources, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and others.

Psychological Assessment Services 

The assessment team offers a specialized service conducting psychological assessments on a referral basis. Students participating in CAPS services may receive a referral from their primary therapist to clarify diagnosis. Mandated assessments such as alcohol or other drug evaluations required by the university or the court system are outside of the scope of Psychological Assessment Services.

Students who are participating in CAPS services are also eligible for assessment services. Students who are self-pay or have private insurance, the initial assessment interview is $100. If a full assessment is completed (regardless of the number of testing appointments) the fee is $400. For those students who have UC Student Health Insurance they will be billed $20 for the Initial Assessment Interview and $80 for the test administration.

  1. Referrals: A referral for assessment Services is completed by the primary clinician regarding those concerns that require further assessment. The Assessment Coordinator will then contact clients in order of receipt prioritizing those clients with urgent needs first (e.g., graduating soon, failing coursework). The student will then be scheduled with one of the Assessment Team providers for an Assessment Interview.
  2. Assessment Interview: The student will arrive 30 minutes to complete assessment specific paperwork. The student will then meet with the Evaluator for 2 hours regarding presenting concerns, relevant history, and specific diagnostic criteria. If after this appointment the referral question has not been answered additional data will be gathered in a more comprehensive assessment. The process of testing, feedback, and expectations will be provided at this time.
  3. Testing: Evaluators will review collaborative data and self-report measures in conjunction with the Assessment Interview to determine appropriate performance based testing to be administered. This could include measures of attention, memory, intelligence, and achievement.
  4. Report Writing and Feedback: Following the gathering of assessment data and history, the Evaluator will create an integrated, comprehensive report with specific recommendations. This process should take between 2-4 weeks after the testing has been completed depending on the level of the clinician and whether they are independently licensed. 

The feedback appointment is focused on helping the student understand the diagnoses and findings of the assessment, guide students in finding strategies that are effective for them, and inform them of specific recommendations. A signed copy of the report is available for students. However, if test data is requested, that information is only given to professionals with the training to interpret the data.