At Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), we want every student to feel safe, welcome, and supported. Everyone’s mental health journey looks a little different, and there’s no one “right” way to start. Our counselors will work with you to figure out what kind of support fits best and connect you with the right resources for your needs.
All IU students who have paid the student health fee can access counseling services at no cost. (Psychiatry visits do have a charge—see pricing detailsfor more information.)
CAPS offers three ways to get started. Use the guide below to find the best first step for you.
Counseling and Psychological Services
IU Student Health Center, Fourth Floor 600 N. Eagleson Ave Bloomington, IN 47405
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Phone: 812-855-5711
Call to make or cancel an appointment. Our crisis line is available 24/7 by choosing option 1 after-hours.
You have a specific concern you want to address and prefer a focused, one-time session to create an action plan. This option is not appropriate for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Single Session Therapy
A collaborative, goal-focused conversation where you and your therapist work together to clarify your main concern and create a plan for next steps. This is intended as a one-time session, and you shouldn’t expect additional appointments.
You would like to talk through general concerns and find out which services or resources are the best fit.
Initial Consultation
A conversation where you and a clinician review your background, discuss current concerns, and determine next steps based on the CAPS Stepped Care model.
You or another student are in immediate crisis–such as thoughts of suicide, thoughts of harming others, or have experienced a recent trauma.
Emergency Services
Same-day, immediate support from our crisis team. We'll help stabilize the situation and connect you with ongoing care and resources.
You have experienced interpersonal violence—at any point in your life—and want a supportive space to work through your experiences.
A safe, inclusive space for students who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or other forms of interpersonal harm—at any point in their life. Services include individual therapy and case management. Staff help students process experiences, promote healing, and connect with resources—all in a confidential, trauma-informed environment.
Have an emergency?
Students can contact us 24/7 to speak to a crisis counselor. Call 812-855-5711, option 1 or contact your local hospital emergency department. You may also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
If you’ve experienced a sexual assault, call 812-855-8900 at any time.
If you believe your life or someone else’s life is in imminent danger, please call 911 or visit the closest Emergency Room.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital 2651 E Discovery Pkwy, Bloomington, IN 47408 812-353-9515
Meadows Hospital 3600 N Prow Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404 812-331-8000
If your situation is critical or if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, CAPS offers emergency service drop-in hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. These services provide an opportunity to speak with a counselor about an immediate crisis, get support, and develop a plan to help you manage your crisis. Please note this appointment CAN NOT be scheduled in advance.
The following examples are why someone may seek emergency or “crisis” support:
Suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, or other risks to harm to yourself
Homicidal thoughts, intent, plan, or other risk of harm to others
A traumatic event occurred recently (e.g., a crime, natural disaster, sexual or physical assault)
Someone close to you has recently died
Perceptual disturbances such as hearing things or seeing things that others do not hear or see
Feeling persistently unsafe, a sense of impending doom or danger, or that something or someone wants to hurt you or is out to get you
Currently living without food, clothes, or shelter
Unable to care for yourself, such as not eating or sleeping for several days
Having withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol (call 911 for medical assistance)
Experiencing uncontrollable panic and unable to calm down
We are always here to help! The above is not an exhaustive list. If you’re experiencing a crisis that is not listed above and feel you need to speak with someone urgently during our regular business hours and want to drop-in for crisis services, come to CAPS for an emergency services appointment.
When CAPS is closed (including weekends and holidays), you can access our after-hours crisis line by calling 812-855-5711 and pressing option 1 when prompted.
All currently enrolled Indiana University Bloomington undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for services.
Counseling and Psychological Services are provided at no charge to all IU students who have paid the student health fee.
CAPS and SACS counseling services are confidential for students age 18 and older. CAPS and SACS do not release information to others without your written permission. The only exceptions involve situations where protection against explicit harm to human life is involved or there is suspected abuse of a child or elderly person. Your counselor will talk with you about confidentiality at the beginning of your first visit and will answer any questions you may have.
CAPS and SACS counselors are not mandated reporters for Title IX.
New clients Students who are not currently receiving ongoing services at CAPS should call 812-855-5711 to make an appointment for a 45-minute initial consultation. Currently it is not possible to schedule CAPS appointments online.
Current clients If you are currently a CAPS client, you typically schedule directly with your therapist at the end of each session for the next appointment. If something has prevented this, or you need to reschedule an appointment, you can call CAPS at 812-855-5711 or stop by the front desk in the Student Health Center (fourth floor) during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM) to schedule an appointment with your ongoing therapist.
If you have a particular request before being assigned a therapist, please let us know. Although we cannot always fulfill your request, when asked we do try to honor this request.
If you feel that you are not connecting with your current therapist, you may call or stop by the front desk and ask to be reassigned to a different therapist.
In both cases, the wait time for an appointment may be longer.
We do understand that there are times where you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. All that we ask is that you please contact us and cancel the appointment as far in advance as possible. You may do this by calling 812-855-5711.
If a student does not call CAPS to cancel a scheduled appointment by 8 a.m. on the day of that appointment, there may be a cancelation fee ($30 for individual appointments, $15 for group appointments) that will be charged directly to their student account. Learn more about Canceling an Appointment.
Group therapy does not have a session limit and individual therapy operates on a brief, solution-focused model. Indiana University Bloomington provides a variety of resources and support for individuals to overcome challenges, build resilience, and thrive at college and beyond.
CAPS operates a stepped care model which recognizes that each person's needs are unique and do not require the same level of intensity. It demands expanding service options to meet the diversity of needs. Stepped care invites collaboration, problem-solving, and client empowerment, which does not necessarily result in a referral for individual psychotherapy.
App-based self-guided mental health resources are available at the student's fingertips such as TimelyCare.
Single-session therapy, for students to meet with a therapist to address concerns through a one-and-done meeting.
Short-term workshops or 3-week skills groups to develop tools for their toolbox of well-being.
Case management to identify additional campus resources that may better support their concerns.
Semester-long skills and interpersonal process groups to increase connection and community.
Short-term individual psychotherapy.
Psychiatric care.
Supportive guidance and referrals to the community when long-term therapy is needed.
Crisis services for students and consultation about students for faculty and staff members.
Whether you are engaging in group or individual therapy, maximize your progress by being an active participant.
Clarify your goals — write down your thoughts, be specific, and prioritize your concerns
Be descriptive about your concerns — this gives your therapist insight
Arrive on time and try not to miss your scheduled appointments — this maximizes the time you have in treatment
Be open and honest, ask questions, and seek clarification
Let your therapist know if you are feeling worse
Be honest about safety concerns — your safety is our priority
Make time to think about the things you have discussed with your counselor and/or in group in between sessions
Follow through on homework assignments from your therapist — practice strategies and skills discussed in your session, and keep a journal
CAPS offers support through a stepped care framework. Stepped care is a flexible approach to mental health treatment that starts with the simplest, most effective options and adjusts as needed. It begins with low-intensity support—like self-help tools or peer support—and can “step up” to more intensive care, such as therapy or psychiatric consultation. The model is built on the belief that people shouldn’t have to wait for mental health support, different individuals need different levels of care, and the right fit often comes from tracking outcomes along the way.
CAPS has several counselors embedded with academic units across campus including:
Yes! Here’s all that’s required for a virtual visit:
You need to be physically located in Indiana during your appointment.
You need to have access to audio/video technology (a phone, tablet, or computer).
You need to have access to a confidential space for your sessions. If you need a private, confidential space to go, CAPS has confidential rooms available to reserve. To reserve a room call 812-855-5711
How to get the most out of your virtual visit:
Identify what you want to get out of the session or the most important topic to discuss – this helps you get the most out of your visit!
Choose a quiet place where you can be alone and without distractions (e.g., pets), and close the door.
Use earbuds or keep the audio level low – this helps protect your privacy!
Sit upright instead of lying down – this helps you to be more engaged!
Use your laptop instead of phone/tablet and place it on a table (not your lap), so that you are looking at the counselor at eye level.
Place a light source (e.g., window, lamp) behind your camera; this helps the counselor see your face.
Things to know:
To protect your confidentiality, we use HIPPA compliant video software but using phone/video brings additional risks to confidentiality (e.g., being overheard by others who are around you, hacking).
To reduce risks to confidentiality, use a secure internet connection instead of public/free WiFi and use your personal laptop/phone instead of a shared device (e.g., someone else’s laptop).
You cannot record the virtual visit.
Although we understand the value of sharing our living spaces with animals we love, CAPS is unable to provide assessments to document the need for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).
Under the Federal Housing Act (FHAct, 42 U.S.C.A. 3601 et seq), ESA are considered a “reasonable accommodation” for those who have a physical or mental disability.
All Indiana University events, groups, activities, and educational, cultural, and historical observances welcome all IU students and other members of the Indiana University community.
