As Duke students, we live in a very high-pressure environment. With all of our classes we need to get to, assignments we need to turn in, and meetings we need to attend, things can get pretty hectic. Not to mention, we actually need to squeeze sleep in there too. The end of the semester can get especially stressful, as final projects and exams just seem to pile up. If at any point you find that things are just becoming too overwhelming, do not hesitate to check out a place that we all know exists but may not have actually visited: Duke CAPS.
Duke Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is located in the Page Building (to the left of the Chapel). CAPS is committed to helping Duke’s vast array of students cope with any and all types of mental health concerns. Such concerns can constitute anything from everyday obstacles to more serious psychological diagnoses. The staff members at CAPS place particular emphasis on the fact that students can face an expansive range of concerns and struggles during their Duke careers, and their goal is to accommodate all of this diversity and to provide every student with the services that best meet his/her particular need.
One of CAPS’s most sought-after student services is “Brief Counseling for Individuals.” According to the CAPS website, the goal of this service is to “help students explore, understand, and work through [their] difficulties on a one-to-one basis.” These difficulties constitute anything from struggles with depression or body image, to roommate conflicts, to facing sexism or racism. By providing students with the opportunity to speak with an objective individual, these individual sessions aim to help students gain a renewed sense of confidence or a fresh perspective on their difficulties. However, since students continually find these sessions so helpful, they fill up FAST. If you are interested in scheduling an individual counseling session, make sure to call CAPS in advance in order to book a time slot. In addition, be aware that CAPS counselors tend to become increasingly booked toward the end of the semester, so if you are interested in scheduling an appointment, do not hesitate to call.
CAPS services are not limited to individuals. In addition to individual counseling appointments, CAPS offers counseling for couples and group therapy appointments. Psychotherapy is not limited to one-on-one appointments; sometimes certain psychological struggles and particularly interpersonal difficulties are best solved in the context of a group setting. CAPS also offers workshops that are described by the website as “geared toward the every day life experiences of students.” These group workshops are not necessarily limited to students struggling with a particular problem. Rather, these workshops are aimed at helping students develop various skills that can enhance their day-to-day experiences at Duke. Like the individual appointments, group therapy, couples therapy, and workshops fill up quickly, so be sure to book a spot well in advance.
CAPS offers a vast array of psychological and counseling services that can really bolster students’ quality of life at Duke. However, many students are hesitant to take advantage of these services due to the negative stigma associated with mental health services. This is simply unfortunate. Not only are all CAPS services completely confidential, but they also can be extremely helpful for maintaining a healthy and happy attitude during your time at Duke. There is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about simply wanting to talk to someone about the difficulties in your life. Similarly, if you are experiencing more serious psychological struggles, seeking help from a professional is by far the best solution. Regardless of the gravity of your concerns or difficulties, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by taking advantage of the services that CAPS has to offer.
For more information on Duke CAPS, and for information on how to book an appointment, visit their website:
http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps
Call the office at (919) 660-1000, or stop by the office at 402 Chapel Drive Suite 214 Page Building on the Chapel Quad of Duke’s West Campus.
Image Sources:
http://www.uncanxietyclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/00422409.jpg
Map: http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps/contact-us