Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (“CAPS”) at Southern Utah University is dedicated to building a clinical staff that reflects the needs of underrepresented individuals in our community. We are making progress in this area but recognize that it is not enough and dedicate ourselves to creating an inclusive place for students to feel safe. We acknowledge the countless deaths that have occurred in the black community due to racial injustice, and we recognize that racism is a constant battle that we need to eradicate.

We see the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans, the racialized violence against our black community, and the increasingly militarized response to peaceful protest. These tragedies reflect a longstanding history of systemic injustice that we reject and dedicate ourselves to addressing. We recognize how injurious these tragedies are to members of the black community. Minority students are more likely to experience mental health issues and are more likely to contemplate suicide instigated by racism. These are the additional burdens carried by students of color and the barriers they must overcome that is a lived experience throughout their daily lives. Experiencing or witnessing trauma often results in a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, or guilt. CAPS is committed to validating and providing care for all of our students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by trauma caused by racism, bigotry, prejudice, and indifference.

For those in the majority, we need to muster the courage to gain a greater perspective and understanding of what minorities endure in this country. We need to ask ourselves how we will react and feel when our brothers and sisters are continually under threat from the local community, state, and country that we call home. We know now that it is not enough to make statements of support, and could never live through the experiences of our black community. However, as mental health professionals, we can help our communities to come together through patience, communication, and understanding that fosters an inclusive environment without restraint.

We join our colleagues in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students in expressing our grief, sorrow, and compassion to all those who have and continue to be impacted by the racially charged tragedies occurring across the nation. We are here to support underrepresented SUU students and campus community and aim to be better allies to make the country and the world more compassionate, thoughtful, and inclusive. We encourage you to contact our office if you (or someone you know) would like support with coping and healing.

We see you, and we hear you, we love you.

As the COVID-19 spreads, CAPS is diligently working to assist you as best we can. CAPS offers our condolences to all who are suffering, and we invite you to call our office if you need support. We also encourage you to stand united against prejudice and selfishness during this ever-evolving public health situation.

While physical hardships are impacting so many of us, a much larger number of people are suffering due to new acts of racism, ageism, and xenophobia. COVID-19 is viral and therefore it is not attributable to anyone. Sickeningly, comments that blame others or disregard human life threaten basic human rights, and frustratingly, some of your SUU peers have spread messages that are completely disrespectful and even hateful! This may be a stressful time for you, and please remember that others may be experiencing stress and pain that is being multiplied by the inhuman messages about them. Please be kind!

Also, please ignore popular (or even “expert”) opinions, and instead, educate yourself with accurate information from directly experienced sources. Despite the current risks, also know that there are ways to manage them and to care for yourself and those around you. Be considerate of your fellow T-Birds, and all community members, as you use humor, social media, and other strategies to cope.

Additional Resources

COVID-19 Survival Guide

Our purpose is to help SUU students achieve their educational, career and personal goals. We understand that students’ first priority is to successfully earn a degree and we are here to assist them in addressing the stress and conflicts that may distract them from achieving their full potential. CAPS is staffed with experienced licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors who work with students to reduce the interference of everyday stress and also treat more serious conditions.

CAPS regular services include:

• Individual counseling
• Couples counseling
• Group counseling and Workshops
• Biofeedback

All of our regular services are confidential* and free* to SUU students. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for students of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, mental and physical abilities, national origins, races, religions, sexual orientations, sizes and socioeconomic statuses.

*There are some limits to confidentiality and some uncommon fees which your counselor will review during the first appointment.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911. Contact SUU Police Office at 586-7793 or Dispatch at 435-586-1911, or go directly to the nearest emergency room. If you are in Crisis, please visit our Crisis Resources for additional numbers to call. 

The below rooms are available to be used by students to attend zoom appointments.
**PLEASE NOTE ALL ROOMS ARE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVICE BASIS.**

If you are in need of a device to attend via Zoom a ChromeBook can be check out from the library.

Hunter Conference Center: Sage Valley, Room 101 on Tuesdays from 8am to 4pm. NOT AVAILABLE March 22nd for Founders Week. (Students will need to bring their own technology.)

Wellness Center Confidential Room: Room available any time center is open and room is not otherwise occupied.

SUU Police Department: Monday through Friday 9:00 to 4:00 (be advised the building is very busy on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons). If you hope to use this space, please notify your counselor so they can communicate your intention with the police department. (Check in with front desk staff. A computer is available so arrive early to login. Campus wifi is also available.)

Sherratt Library: There are a select number of study rooms available. Check in with front desk staff to be directed to room if available.

SUU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) approaches our work with respect for the inherent dignity, worth, unique attributes, and human rights of all individuals as a fundamental principle. We are aware that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity critically undermines advances made in supporting the equality, human rights and dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community. CAPS opposes any action that erodes the integrity and human rights of any person and will fervently strive to protect and preserve the rights of marginalized groups.

Our goal is to work for and promote understanding and acceptance throughout the university community, and to collaborate in creating safe, non-judgmental space for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Queer individuals who share a common vision of social equality. CAPS also works alongside individuals and groups to develop and maintain personal well-being. You are an important part of the SUU community, and we want you to feel respected and to be successful.

YOU ARE VALUED HERE!

Counseling & Psychological Services' values and practices have been and will continue to be consistent with our professional affiliations which include; the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Southern Utah University sponsors photo sharing, video sharing, and other social media sites to further its mission to meet the cultural, educational, and informational needs of the campus community. Fans, followers, members, likers, and/or friends of our social media pages are encouraged to share, post, like, rate, upload videos and images, and converse with other fans and with content posted on this page. At times, the CAPS’ sponsored sites are also a place for the public to share opinions about the center, mental health, and related subjects/issues. The “comments” feature is currently disabled where possible on our social media platforms.  In areas where this is not a possibility, comments will be reviewed prior to publishing. Any communication via comments or via social media will be for the above purpose and is not a means to access mental health services and or crisis services.  CAPS reserves the right not to publish any posting, or to later remove it without notice or explanation.

CAPS offers crisis services M-F 9-4. If you are an SUU student, staff or faculty member and need to talk with someone, a CAPS staff member is available to assist. Call us at 435-865-8621 or email at capsdesk@zyjkbg.com. For more urgent situations and after hours, please use one of the following resources: 1) Call 911, 2) Call campus police at 435.586.1911, 3) go to the nearest emergency room.*

In keeping with its mission, CAPS may participate in the use of various “social media” sites or applications. The goals of CAPS sponsored social media sites are:

• To increase the campus community’s knowledge of and use of CAPS services;
• To promote the value and importance of CAPS’s services among university faculty, students, staff, administrators, and the general public;
• To maintain open, professional, and responsive communications.

CAPS’s social media platforms are public sites used for educational purposes only and are not designed as a forum for provision of clinical care. Therefore, becoming a “friend” or “fan” does not indicate you are a client of our services or participating in therapy.  If you have questions about your mental or physical health, please consult directly with your physician or other treating provider.

CAPS does not collect, maintain or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site in any way other than to communicate with users on that site. Users may remove themselves at any time from CAPS’s “friends” or “fan” lists. Users should be aware that third party websites have their own privacy policies and should proceed accordingly.  

Comments, posts, and messages on the CAPS social media sites should be for the above reasons and at the user’s discretion. Users are strongly encouraged to check facts, cite sources, and show respect in expressing their opinions. While CAPS recognizes and respects differences in opinion, all such interactions will be monitored and reviewed for content and relevance. CAPS is not obligated to take any actions, and will not be responsible or liable for content posted by any subscriber in any forum, message board, or other area within these services.

Code of Conduct

Comments and posts by fans to any of CAPS’s social media sites should be relevant to the content posted on the page and its fans. CAPS reserves the right not to publish any posting, or to later remove it without notice or explanation. Reasons for removal include, but are not limited to:

• Abusive, defamatory, or hate speech.
• Violations of copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.
• Profanity or racial slurs.
• Illegal activities.
• Threats of violence.
• Pornographic or sexually explicit material.
• Information related to non-university related products or services.
• Spam or commercial advertising.
• Off-topic comments.
• Lack of space.
• Posts that become a nuisance.
• In certain situations, the poster, as well as the content, could be blocked from the page or reported to authorities depending on the nature of the content. 
• CAPS reserves the right to remove posts deemed inappropriate.
• Posts that contain names (or identifying information) of specific individuals receiving care or working at the CAPS may be removed if the individual has not consented to having information shared publicly. 
• Names of Southern Utah University employees identified as part of a complaint, concern, or compliment will be handled on a case‐by‐case basis. 
• Depending on the circumstances, at the discretion of page administrators, the post or comment may be removed to protect the identity of any individual. 

In addition,  CAPS reserves the right to edit or modify any postings or comments for space or content (spelling, grammar, etc.), while retaining the intent of the original post. CAPS assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction created or posted by any participant in any CAPS sponsored social media service, and does not endorse content outside the “pages” and content created by CAPS staff. Participation in CAPS social media services implies agreement with all Southern Utah University and library policies.

The role and utility of social media will be evaluated periodically by CAPS staff, and may be changed or terminated at any time without notice to subscribers

Due to increases in Southern Utah University (SUU) enrollment and to honor our commitment to supporting as many SUU students as possible, SUU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is implementing a Scope of Practice.  SUU CAPS serve a unique role on campus in providing Brief Mental Health Counseling and related services. Our services are available to eligible/enrolled students with concerns and needs that fall within our Scope of Practice. Not all students with very real needs can be accommodated within our treatment model. CAPS will work with students to identify other resources. An outside referral may be made following the Triage/Initial appointment with a counselor, or it might occur after some treatment if student needs do not fall within our Scope of Practice. Please review the following to determine how you will be impacted:

• CAPS will no longer see benefits-eligible students employed by SUU, as they can access counseling services through their SUU benefits.
• In addition to an 8-session yearly limit on individual counseling, CAPS will have a 30-session lifetime limit on individual counseling.
• Couples sessions will be limited to 12 lifetime per couple.
• Students with Eating Disorders will be carefully assessed and potentially referred for specialized care.
• Student who are involved in a Legal Process; CAPS are unable to write letters or do specialized treatment that may be needed per court order.
• Students seeking Emotional Support Animals; CAPS are unable to assess or write letters for support animals.
• Other conditions or situations may require long-term or specialized care. CAPS will consult and assist students to identify treatment options that better fit their needs.

If you fit into one of the above-listed categories we will work with you to make an appropriate referral. This might entail looking into counseling options in the community and/or preparing for a transition from individual counseling to group counseling. The Clinical Director and CAPS team will consider each student on a case-by-case basis and determine the best way to meet student needs.  Crisis services will continue to be available for all students. To learn more, please refer to our Scope of Practice at zyjkbg.com/CAPS.