Counseling Services
Please call 402.554.2409 to schedule an appointment. CAPS is continuing to offer free, confidential counseling sessions and other services in person, via phone, and using telehealth.
Enrolled students may call Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. - 5 P.M., to schedule. CAPS counselors also continue to be available for faculty/staff consultations. The main office is in H&K 101. Appointments are also available in Mammel Hall by request.
As always, UNO students experiencing an After-Hours Emergency may contact 402.554.2409 and press "2" after the prompt to speak with someone directly.
CAPS counselors are unable to provide counseling to anyone outside of the state of Nebraska at this time. Students who are currently living outside of the state of Nebraska can request a consult appointment, and the counselor will discuss alternative options for counseling which the student might access in their state.
Also, CAPS policy states we are unable to write letters for emotional support animals or ESA accommodations for housing (on or off campus). If you are interested in this service, please discuss with a therapist in the community for support.
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Offered by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Short-Term Counseling
- Consultation
- Emergency Services
- After-Hours Emergency Services: Call 402.554.2409, press 2
- Group Counseling
- Couples or Partners Counseling
- Prevention Services
- University Gatekeeper Program
- Outreach Education
- Wellness Education
CAPS is dedicated to working with students to provide services that can assist with challenges that have impacted their overall well-being. These could include adjusting to life events, relationship issues, and mental health changes. Some of the ways this can be accomplished are through individual or relationship counseling as well as psycho-educational groups.
CAPS uses a short-term model of therapy to assist students in addressing issues or concerns in fewer sessions. We have competent staff that is trained in these modalities (meet the staff). Couples or partners counseling is another option, subject to counselor availability. UNO counselors have a large referral network for individuals needing longer-term support. Participation in support groups has no session limit.
Some of the areas of concern commonly addressed in short-term counseling include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Grief
- Life transitions
- Accepting self
- Effects of trauma
The goal of CAPS is to provide services to best meet the needs of the students within our current scope of practice. Short-term counseling may not be the best method to meet the needs of all students. Some areas of concern might be better addressed by a professional with more specialized expertise or by someone who can provide a long term treatment model.
The staff will work with each individual to determine the best course of action, such as referral to a UNO counselor, referral to a group, or referral to a community provider.
Counseling staff works closely with Nebraska Medicine Health Services to provide on-campus referrals and collaboration with their services. In the case that an outside referral is recommended, counselors will assist in providing a community referral that will best meet the needs of the individual.
The decision for a community referral will typically occur within the initial intake assessment but may also occur during the course of counseling services as appropriate. If you, or a friend, are not a student at UNO, and therefore not eligible for our services, counseling is available through the College of Education, Health and Human Science's Community Counseling Clinic.
More information can be found on the Community Counseling Clinic website.
Information regarding Alcohol and Drug support services can be found here.
University Gatekeeper Program
Anyone can help prevent suicide by learning the risks, warning signs, and how to intervene. The UNO suicide prevention gatekeeper training program is designed to help the UNO community prevent suicide by teaching faculty, staff, and students how to recognize signs and how to intervene in a crisis. Visit the link below to learn more and sign up for a training now.
University Gatekeeper Trainings and Suicide Prevention
On-Campus Support Groups
Mavericks ask for help when they encounter difficult academic and personal situations. There are so many caring people and resources dedicated to supporting your success.
View all on-campus support groups.
Virtual Support Hour
Every other Wednesday during the semester, 12 - 1 P.M.
Our Virtual Support Hour is a free Zoom meeting for students that provides mental health education and support. Students are invited to join as CAPS counselors discuss different factors that can impact mental health, share strategies for managing the stress of college life, and speak with other students about challenges and successes. The first half is an educational presentation on a mental health topic and a discussion follows during the second half.
Meetings happen on a bi-weekly basis on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00PM.
September 7 - Challenging Anxious Thoughts
September 21 - Circles of Control
October 5 - Supporting Others with Mental Illness
October 19 - Mindful Self-Care
November 2 - Relieving Stress & Burnout
November 16 - Combat Imposter Syndrome
November 30 - Winter Blues & Depression
Participants must register to attend. The Zoom link will be emailed the day of the meeting.
This informational open office hour is not a clinical therapy group. Students needing mental health or crisis counseling are encouraged to call CAPS at 402.554.2409 to make an appointment. By participating in the Virtual Support Hour, each participant agrees to follow the UNO Student Code of Conduct.
Your First Appointment
Your first appointment will consist of a 60-90 minute intake assessment. When you arrive, you will be given a short amount of paperwork to complete. Once the paperwork is completed, your counselor will bring you to their office. During this initial intake, assessment counselors will gather information through a conversation with you, in order to build a big picture of your primary concerns. The intake is the start of counseling and is crucial to determining the direction of services.
After the initial assessment, the counseling staff will discuss with you the best course of action. This may include setting up an appointment with a UNO counselor, a referral to a community provider, a referral to a group, or other referrals as appropriate.
Things You Will Need for Your First Appointment
For your first appointment, it is helpful if you arrive approximately 15 minutes early in order to fill out paperwork. The paperwork will allow us to get some background information from you prior to your appointment.
Legislature of Nebraska (LB 982) provides for minors 18 years of age and older to consent to mental health services as prescribed. If you are under the age of 18 you must have a parent or legal guardian sign a Consent to Treat a Minor Form.
The form can be downloaded below and brought to your first appointment. Questions related to the Consent to Treat a Minor Form are always welcome. Please call 402.554.2409 during regular business hours.
Confidentiality
We pride ourselves on making every effort to protect your personal information. It is important that you feel comfortable in sharing information with us as it will make your counseling experience more beneficial. Information you share with the staff at CAPS is governed by professional ethics and state law.
The records of CAPS are not a part of your academic records. Information will not be released except for the following circumstances:
- Imminent threat to harm self or others
- Child or elder abuse
- Written release from you
- Court ordered subpoena
- Specific legal circumstances
The Age of Majority in Nebraska is 19 years old for medical appointments. To seek counseling services, a recent bill was passed that you may be 18 to sign your own consent for mental health treatment. If you are under the age of 18 we will need to get signed consent to treat from a parent or guardian. In addition, we will need their signature to release information.
Mandatory reporting laws exist for child abuse issues related to abuse, neglect, and sexual assault of a minor (child). The links below can be used to find out more related to Nebraska Law and reporting issues related to minors. If you have any questions about confidentiality, your counselor will be happy to discuss them with you.
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=43-2101
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-711
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-320
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-710
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=43-2922
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-707