Mental Health Resources
USU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
USU CAPS offers individual therapy, group therapy, skills training groups, workshops and outreach, case management, as well as assessment services. If you are interested in starting services, please call the CAPS office at: 435-797-1012. You may also explore services at the USU CAPS website. Though USU CAPS serves the entire campus community, CEHS also has specific, embedded services which you can read about below.
USU CAPS Embedded Psychologist
USU CAPS has an embedded psychologist who is in part dedicated to working with graduate students in CEHS. Dr. Alex Calder offers brief, short-term individual therapy for graduate students along with outreach and assessment. When contacting Alex, please inform him that you are a graduate student in CEHS and the specific program that you are in. To set up services with Dr. Calder, email him at: alex.calder@usu.edu. Please see below for a list of virtual webinars and recorded workshops.
Specific Descriptions of Services Offered
Psychologist Office Hours
Office hours are an opportunity for CEHS students to stop by for an informal, non-therapeutic chat. This is an opportunity to discuss any concerns you face that may not require individual therapy, but would still be helpful to talk through. Alex’s current office hours are Mondays 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 AM. All office hours are held in Alex’s office, ECERC room 317.
Consultation
After contacting the embedded psychologist, the first step to receiving services is a 30-minute meeting. The purpose is to go over concerns and explore treatment options to determine which service is best for you.
Individual Therapy
Counseling may help you with self-understanding and other relationship skills, such as effective communication, and appreciation for how personal actions impact both your life and others. Many students say discussing their concerns with a professional who is a third-party to their lives helps them resolve personal problems and develop strategies for better problem solving. CAPS typically provides short-term, goal-oriented therapy (6-8 sessions). In general, individual therapy at CAPS is not recommended for students seeking and/or needing intensive or long-term treatment.
Single Sessions
Students may schedule a single session appointment to address their mental health concerns. Single session appointments are solution-focused meetings in which the therapist and the client work together to quickly identify core problems and find actionable ways to address them within the confines of one meeting. This format allows students to quickly receive assistance, support, and perspective from a mental health professional without having to commit to ongoing therapy.
Group Therapy
USU CAPS offers a specific group for graduate students. Group therapy allows you to explore feelings in a trusting, confidential, and supportive environment. You can try new behaviors, improve social skills, and receive feedback from peers. Groups are helpful if you feel isolated or are concerned about how you relate to others. As you hear others’ experiences and share your own, you find support and be able to support others as well. (Please note, this is not facilitated by the embedded psychologist for CEHS and takes place at the main CAPS office in the TSC).
Assessment Services
CAPS also offers full assessment batteries for ADHD, Autism Spectrum, and Learning Disability. Students who are interested should contact USU’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) to schedule an appointment. All assessment referrals are handled through the DRC. After going through the DRC, CEHS students will be scheduled to work with a CAPS therapist or with the CEHS embedded psychologist, based on whoever has the shortest waitlist.