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Health and Wellness Programs Student Health Services

Overview

If you are in need of services from CAPS, contact us here, 202-250-2300 (VP), or 202-651-6080 (voice) for more information; we will get back to you at the earliest convenience.

If you are experiencing an emergency right now and it is after 5 pm or a weekend, please contact DPS or call/text 202-651-5555.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS’s) provides service, training, and advocacy focused on all student mental health needs and the deaf community.

We support student academic and social-emotional development by providing high-quality assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and prevention programs. And we provide consultation services for faculty and staff and contribute to the student paraprofessional training programs.

Make An Appointment

Our Diversity Statement

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) department is committed to providing culturally affirming services to the campus community. CAPS follows the multicultural guidelines and professional standards developed by the professional organizations and licensing boards of which the staff are members. CAPS strives to create a safe and supportive climate where students feel comfortable exploring diversity in its broadest sense.

We maintain a high-quality training program for graduate students to increase the number of qualified professionals serving the mental health needs of the Deaf community. We advocate for improved mental health services for deaf and hard of hearing people through education and information dissemination.

It is also our charge to provide culturally affirming services to the campus community. To that end, we follow the multicultural guidelines and professional standards developed by the professional organizations and licensing boards of which the staff are members. In striving to create a safe and supportive climate, students feel comfortable exploring diversity in its broadest sense.

For emergencies, please email, call, or text the Department of Public Safety. As an alternative, you can text “DHOH” to 741741, a Crisis Text Line that is available during any crisis.

If you’d like to start counseling services, fill out the form here.

Programs

CAPS Training Program

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) established practicum, externship training, internship, and other training for master's-level, doctoral-level, and post-doctoral-level students in the disciplines of social work, counseling, psychology, and psychiatry. CAPS is a training site for Gallaudet graduate students from the departments of social work, counseling...

Information

Obtaining Services for Gallaudet Students

Therapy Services : If you are a Gallaudet student, getting services is easy; please click on the button below to schedule an intake appointment or stop by the Counseling and Psychological Services office Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm to...

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CAPS Assessment Services Process

To help you become more familiar with the assessment process, here is some important information. The first step in getting assessment services is to complete the client information form and other paperwork. You will NOT be added to our wait list until we obtain the...

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CAPS Therapeutic Services Process

To help you become more familiar with Therapeutic Services offered by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), here is some important information. The first step in getting individual and/or couple counseling services is to make an appointment for an intake with the CAPS secretary. The intake...

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Office of Student Conduct Screening Process

To help you become more familiar with the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) screening process, here is some important information. The first step in getting OSC screening services is to make the appointment with the CAPS secretary by informing her that you need an OSC...

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Confidentiality

Protecting your confidentiality is a priority to us. All CAPS staff and trainees follow confidentiality laws, professional ethical guidelines, and we know the deaf community have specific confidentiality needs, relating to accessing mental health services. Information about clients is kept confidential among Counseling and Psychological...

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CAPS Confidential Contact Form

Counseling and Psychological Services Confidential Contact Form

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CAPS Statement on Black Lives Matter

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Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the Deaf and hard of hearing

Looking for an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for deaf and hard of hearing people? Check out https://aa-dc.org/asl for options, or email accessability@aa-dc.org.

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FAQs

Services and Support

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has received additional training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are all licensed in the District of Colombia. CAPS has a part-time psychiatrist and psychiatry resident on staff. A CAPS therapist must refer students for psychiatric services.
Psychiatric appointments begin with an initial appointment with follow-up medication management. At this appointment, the psychiatrist will gather information about your general history and background. This can include information about past or current medications, substance abuse, family medical history, and more. The psychiatrist will work with you to determine if medication is appropriate for you. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to discuss your medications if administered, including its effectiveness, modifications needed, and any other questions you may have.
Most mental health conditions have a biological and emotional component. Research strongly supports psychiatric service paired with counseling as the most effective treatment for most mental health conditions. In the best interest of our clients, it is our policy that students receiving psychiatric services must also be actively involved in counseling with a Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) therapist.
Many people feel reluctant to take medications for a variety of reasons. Discovering the right medication that will work for you, coping with any side-effects, and negative attitudes about psychiatric medications and social stigma may discourage a person from considering medication. Whatever your reason, we encourage you to discuss these concerns with your counselor or psychiatrist. Psychiatric services are voluntary and will only be given with your consent. After beginning medication, many people find that it’s helpful, allows them to feel like themselves again, and provides support in reaching their counseling and academic goals.
All students receive six free sessions per academic year, not including the intake appointment. After the sixth session, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) does not bill insurance for appointments. Instead, we have set the fee to $20 per session. We accept all major credit cards, check, cash, and students may add the payments to their student account.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will assign a counselor to you, based on the best available match with your needs and availability. If you have a preference for a specific counselor, you may make a request during the intake appointment. Students are not guaranteed assignment to the counselor requested, but we will work with you to find a counselor that best matches your needs.
Generally, students will get an appointment within one to two weeks after the initial intake visit. If there is a waitlist, the student will be informed and assigned an appointment as soon as possible. Students may request a referral to an off-campus counselor if waitlisted.
Counseling appointments are scheduled to last 50 minutes. If you require a longer appointment, you can request an exception with your counselor after the initial appointment.
If you are experiencing any kind of distress and need to speak with a counselor, you may come to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) any time during business hours (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Should an emergency occur during off hours and you live on campus, contact your coordinator of education (CRE) or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) immediately. If you live off campus, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Crisis appointments are free to all students.
Trainees are graduate level therapists-in-training who provide services under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) trains graduate students to provide culturally appropriate therapy and psychological services to deaf and hard of hearing clients. Our mission is to help increase the number of counselors qualified to work within the deaf community. Supervisors review each case to ensure that trainees are providing quality care. The CAPS assignment team may assign a trainee as your therapist. This means you will have two professionals (trainee and supervisor) monitoring your care to ensure you receive the best treatment.
There are several options when considering Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for a student:
  • CAPS encourages you to discuss your concerns with the student directly in a supportive manner (e.g. “I am worried about you. I think you may find it helpful to meet with someone who can help you. Would you be willing to contact CAPS and make an appointment?”) It may be helpful to accompany the student to CAPS to schedule an appointment.
  • As a concerned parent, teacher, or friend you can contact CAPS to express concern about the student. Since treatment and services at CAPS are voluntary, students will not be forced to attend counseling. However, any information given will be helpful should the student decide to seek services at CAPS.
  • Concerned parents, teachers, and friends can also contact Gallaudet University’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) to share concerns. BIT is a part of the University’s Crisis Leadership Team (CLT) and collaborates across campus units, departments, and divisions to support students in need. Please refer to the link for additional information: Behavioral Intervention Team
A psychiatric resident is a licensed medical doctor who is undergoing additional training in psychiatry, called a residency. They are supervised by a licensed psychiatrist.

Policies and Information

All information about you is kept confidential among the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) professional staff in accordance with legal and professional ethical requirements. There are exceptions to your privilege of confidentiality. We are required by law to act, report, or protect in situations when
  • a client threatens or is at risk of harm to him/herself (e.g., suicidal),
  • a client makes threatening statements or takes action to harm others,
  • there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect,
  • there is reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a dependent adult, or
  • records are court ordered by a judge.
If any of these situations occur, your counselor may discuss the situation with you in detail so that you are aware of their actions.
Lauri Rush

Director, Counseling and Psychological Services

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Health and Wellness Programs Student Health Services

Contact Us

Counseling and Psychological Services

Kellogg Conference Hotel 3203

202-250-2300

(202) 651-6080

Monday
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

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