By Raya Tahan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Don't Just Survive at UA... Thrive!Ÿthat is their motto.
The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) division of Student Health will continue to offer a wide range of free services this semester to all UA students.
Individual, couples and group therapy is available, as well as support groups, workshops and a self-help library. The mission of CAPS is to help students cope with problems and successfully achieve their educational goals.
"The challenge is to continue to inform new students and remind returning students that we are here and we are available and eager to help if they need our help," said Maria Teresa Velez, a licensed psychologist and program director
Five groups will be offered this semester: a general therapy group, an eating issues group for those with problematic body images and eating patterns, a relaxation group for stress relief, a group for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and a graduate student support group to help deal with the problems specific to the life of a graduate student.
Performance anxiety workshops will be offered to assist students who have trouble demonstrating their skills under performance conditions, such as tests and presentations.
Four video and discussion sessions will be held to provide information about the most common and treatable psychiatric conditions seen in the Student Health Center. They will deal with anxiety, depression and panic disorder.
CAPS also offers a bio-feedback machine, which monitors a person's stress levels electronically. It uses physical measuring devices such as perspiration and heat from the skin. There is a charge of $18 for each one-hour session.
Also located on the second floor of Student Health is a self-help library which contains over 1,000 books and tapes. Topics range from relationships to addictions to psychological well-being. Students may borrow from the self-help library at no charge.
Treatment at CAPS is short-term only. According to the CAPS staff, brief therapy is often helpful, particularly when the problem is treated early. However, cases that require long-term therapy are referred elsewhere.
The staff of CAPS is accredited and includes six psychologists, a psychiatrist, other mental health staff, and an eating disorders team.
Up to four sessions in CAPS are free to all UA students. Following those, the charge is $10 per visit, which can be waived for financial difficulties. The groups and workshops are always free.
Walk in appointments are staffed on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are available by calling 621-3334.
All visits are confidential and no information about them is released.