• “We haven’t talked in a while. How are you doing?”
  • “You seem kind of down lately. Let’s talk and see if there’s a way I can help.”
  • “Seems like you are having a hard time. I’ve been there too, and it can help to talk about it.”
  • “If you’re having a hard time, I am a judgement-free ear you can talk to.”

OFFICE LOCATION

1505 Oakwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC

27610

919.231.8077

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program is designed to help students enhance strengths and develop abilities to deal with the experiences of living, growing, and learning. CAPS offers individual counseling/psychotherapy, consultation, couples and group counseling to currently enrolled students at no additional cost.

Students have an opportunity to meet with a licensed Psychologist to address personal issues, work through challenges, and deal with the implications of growth and change. The CAPS program also offers psycho-educational workshops designed to enhance personal and academic skills and to teach more effective strategies for coping with problems.

Some of the concerns that students discuss with CAPS counselors are:

  • relating to family, friends and dating partners
  • academic performance
  • self-esteem
  • stress
  • depression
  • loss of an important relationship
  • issues related to sexual orientation
  • sexual assault and rape
  • concerns about your or another’s use of alcohol or other drugs

Students may call or come by the office to make an appointment. CAPS carefully adhere to professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. If a student wants information concerning his/her contact with the CAPS staff released, he/she must sign a specific written authorization.

 

CAPS Services Offered

  • Psychotherapy
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Crisis Management
  • Psychological Testing

Saint Augustine’s University Counseling & Psychological Services maintains strict rules of confidentiality for all students seen in the center. Counseling records are kept separate from academic and student health records. Information shared between student and counselor cannot be released to anyone, including family members or university personnel with the consent of the student.

Please understand that, according to federal and state law, once a student has made an appointment, we cannot reveal information about the individual unless he or she provides written permission.

Exceptions are:

  • When a counselor believes you present an imminent danger to yourself or others.
  • When the life or safety of a readily identifiable third person is endangered.
  • When a counselor believes that a child or vulnerable adult is being subjected to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • When disclosure is made necessary by legal proceedings.

As with any important endeavor, please try to attend your sessions regularly and on time. It is extremely helpful if you call the office if you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, thus enabling this hour to be be available to other students. We make the assumption that a student who fails to keep two consecutive appointments with notifying our office is no longer interested in receiving services at this time.

Communicating in Urgent Situations

Should you experience a crisis or clinical emergency and need to speak to you counselor immediately, you can contact our office at 919.516.4255.

If you contact our office after hours, you will be given the phone number for the psychiatrist on call at Wake County Crisis and Emergency Services at 919.250.3123 or Holly Hill Charter Hospital 24-hour Response line at 919.250.7000.

Referral to Outside Services

If the services you require are specialized beyond the limits that CAPS can provide, you will be referred to a local professional or facility. We will take into account you resources, health insurance and your personal needs and preferences.

What will the first visit be like?

You will be greeted by the Clinical Services Coordinator. You will be asked to complete intake documents that cover verification of SAU student status, explanation of confidentiality/ HIPAA / FERPA rules and Consent Forms.

With whom will you be meeting?

First contact will be with the Clinical Services Coordinator, then the Counselor of your choice or the on duty Clinician.

What information is confidential?

All information can be presumed confidential. CAPS operations follow strict HIPAA guidelines. A presence of imminent danger is the exception.

What happens after the first visit?

A follow up counseling session is typically scheduled as indicated. Otherwise one may return whenever necessary.

What should you give to counseling?

Verification of SAU student status, contact and emergency contact information as well as any documentation relevant to the reason for referral.

CAPS will be expanding its service hours to Monday 5 -7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. These hours are by appointment only and will begin October 9, 2021. Appointments should be made by the end of business day on Friday and by 4 p.m. on Monday.

 

Monday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

On Call 24 Hours (Contact Campus Police for assistance)

Strictly Confidential – 919.231.8077

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STAFF

Birchie Warren

Birchie Warren

Director
bswarren@st-aug.edu
919.516.4253