Counseling and Psychological Services

The mission of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is to support the academic goals of the College through assisting students with personal challenges that interfere with their academic progress. We encourage students to attend to all of their developmental needs, whether they are academic, personal, physical, interpersonal, social, or spiritual. Toward this end, we provide an environment that is safe, confidential, and supportive. Our work is guided by the ethical and practice standards of our professions, with the goal of providing the best services possible.
CAPS is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.

CAPS Services

CAPS provides group counseling, brief individual counseling and referral services to TCNJ students. Services are confidential; no record of counseling appears on the student’s permanent academic record. CAPS is staffed by a team of licensed mental health professionals as well as interns from both master’s and doctoral degree granting programs, under direct supervision from licensed professionals. During the initial consultation with the student, the student and the therapist will create a plan best suited to meet the students’ needs. Resources that may be included are those within CAPS, other campus offices, and/or through an outside provider.

Please familiarize yourself with CAPS services:

Group Counseling – All requests for services are first considered for potential group membership in one of our many groups. Unlike with individual counseling, group attendance is not time-limited.

Individual Counseling – Utilizes a brief counseling model in order to accommodate the many students who request our services. Brief counseling focuses on the issues or concerns at hand, for resolution of a particular problem. If on-going, continuous therapy would be helpful (or has been helpful in the past), CAPS will assist the student with the referral process to an outside provider.

Please note: if you are currently being treated by a mental health professional (including a psychiatrist), we recommend you continue that relationship if possible; for example, by scheduling periodic appointments, phone sessions, etc. First year students may be eligible for a parking permit given availability and if they meet certain criteria. Learn more about parking exception requests.

Referrals – For those concerns not well matched to a brief model, we offer referrals to local agencies and private practitioners.

Crisis Intervention and evaluation available as needed

Peer Education – CAPS Peer Educators are trained student advocates who are available for information, support, and referrals. Learn more about this program

Requesting Services

To begin this process, please fill out a Request for Services Form (RFS).

Referrals to Off-Campus Service Providers

Examples of when students would be referred to off-campus service providers include the following:

Long-term, ongoing individual counseling services
Psychiatric medications and/or refills (also not provided by Student Health Services)
Psychiatric evaluation (also not provided by Student Health Services)

Psychological/Educational testing (evaluations for ADHD, etc.) Please contact Disability Support Services for more information.

SPRING HOURS

Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For urgent situations, visit our office in 107 Eickhoff or call 609-771-2247

EMERGENCIES:

For Immediate Concerns: Call 911 or Campus Police 609-771-2345

Capital Health Regional Medical Center Emergency Mental Health Services at 609-396-4357

New Jersey Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

Youth Resource 2nd Floor Youth Helpline 1-888-222-2228

LGBT Resources Trevor Helpline 1-866-4u-TREVOR

GLBT National Helpline 1-888-843-4564