What to Expect

• Must be currently enrolled and have paid the Health Fee.
• Eligible students can schedule an initial appointment.
• After the first meeting, you and your counselor will decide the most appropriate follow-up care (brief individual counseling, group counseling, or off-campus referral).

Schedule by calling 559-278-2734 or visiting the Student Health and Counseling Center.

• Before your appointment, you’ll receive an email with instructions for completing required forms, including our Informed Consent Form. (allow 20 to 30 minutes).
• Your counselor reviews your forms beforehand.
• Sessions last about 45 to 50 minutes, are confidential, and focus on understanding your concerns and experiences.
• At the end of the session, your counselor will recommend treatment options:
  • Brief individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Skill-building workshops
  • Community referrals, if needed.
• Follow-up care and session frequency are guided by the Clinical Care Tier Process to ensure you receive the most appropriate level of support.

If you believe you might benefit from what our counseling and psychological services team has to offer, we encourage you to take that first step and schedule an initial consultation. 

CAPS provides short-term counseling for common college-related concerns, including:

• Mood & personal concerns: anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, self-esteem
• Relationships: partners, roommates, teammates, classmates, family
• Developmental concerns: identity exploration, transitions, adjustment
• Academic concerns: motivation, test anxiety, perfectionism
• Other: trauma, assault

Some needs fall outside the scope of what CAPS can provide. In these cases, referrals to community providers may be recommended.

Examples include:

• Need for weekly or long-term counseling
• Need for specialized or intensive treatment
• Inappropriate, harassing, threatening, or violent behavior toward staff

Important:

1. CAPS does not provide ADHD assessments. See our ADHD Policy 
2. If you need an ADHD evaluation, your counselor can help you explore community options.
3. For information on Letters for Medical Excuses and Accommodations, click here. 

If you feel another counselor may be a better fit, you are welcome to request a change.

To change counselors, please complete the Change of Counselor Form* here, or you can fill it out at the Student Health and Counseling Center front desk.

Students can expect a response within 3 to 5 business days, excluding holidays when the campus is closed.

*This form is CONFIDENTIAL, and will not be shared with anyone but the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services. 

Students who need mental health support during our business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) please call the Student Health and Counseling Center at 559.278.2734.

If students feel they need immediate mental health support, they may be seen for a Mental Health Triage visit. Students will be seen by a counselor in person or through Zoom within one hour of arrival.

You may access after-hours mental health support during moments of crisis for brief solution-focused support when you call 559.278.2734 outside of our business hours, during holidays and weekends. Press 2 when prompted to speak with a mental health counselor. Please be advised, the after-hours counselor is not a University employee and cannot make or change appointments, or answer any questions related to the Student Health and Counseling Center. 

Students experiencing a mental health crisis outside of business hours can call 911 or go to: 

Exodus Crisis Stabilization Center
4411 E. Kings Canyon Rd.
Fresno, CA 93702
559.453.1008

Students can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988. 

Learn more by visiting our Mental Health Triage webpage. 

After Hours Support

• After Hours Support can be accessed during moments of crisis and provides brief, solution-focused support outside business hours, including holidays and weekends.

Individual Therapy

• The Student Health and Counseling Center offers Free individual counseling services. Learn what to expect or fill out an interest form by visiting fresnostate.edu/health/counseling. 

Suicide Prevention

• Free Suicide Prevention training is open to all students, staff and faculty on campus. Attendees learn to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and receive a certificate for participation.

Crisis Care Services

• Crisis Care Services are available during business hours. Completion of a brief questionnaire is required, and if the criteria are met, the student will be seen within one hour of arrival. Students experiencing a mental health crisis outside of business hours should call After Hours Therapy 559.278.2734, call 911, or go to Community Behavioral Health Center, 559.449.8400.

Let's Talk

• Let's Talk is a free, anonymous, drop-in virtual mental health service. For more info and Zoom. Click bit.ly/letstalkfs to learn more. Available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Psychiatry Services

• Free psychiatric services are available for medication management. Students must meet with a provider for a referral to access psychiatry services.

Groups and Classes 

• Free groups and classes address relationships, stress, anxiety, depression, body image, emotions, and gender identity, provide opportunities for support, and to learn new skills.

Center for Essential Needs 

• The Center for Essential Needs is a case management office on Fresno State's campus that helps connect students to services on- and off-campus. Focused on basic needs, such as housing, food security, and resources needed to succeed in college. Essential Needs is a case management office on campus that helps connect students to services on and off campus. Focused on basic needs, such as housing, food security, and resources needed to succeed in college. 

The CARE Team

• The CARE Team supports students of concern and provides additional resources or support. Learn more about CARE Team
  services and/or submit an online referral here: fresnostate.edu/care