We offer support through our stepped care framework, aiming to ensure all students, across various identities, backgrounds, and experiences, feel welcome to utilize our confidential services.
We’re here to listen
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.
The stepped care framework
Explore self-help resources offering strategies and tools on your time—designed to support your mental well-being whenever and wherever you need it. Whether you're building coping skills, managing stress, or just looking for a little guidance, these flexible options put you in control of your journey.
Referral to Campus and Community Supports connects you with the people and services that are here to help—both on campus and beyond. Whether you're looking for academic support, mental health services, or basic needs assistance, it’s a way to know your IU Bloomington community and get the right help at the right time.
Workshops offer powerful help in a small package—teaching practical strategies you can use right away to ease stress, depression, and anxiety, and tackle challenges that impact your academic success. Whether you're looking for a quick boost or want to get more out of your individual counseling, workshops are a focused, efficient way to make meaningful progress.
See what workshops we offerSkills-based therapy groups offer a deep dive into life-changing skills with others who truly get it. In a supportive setting with other students and experienced facilitators, you'll learn and practice strategies to manage challenges while gaining insight from shared experiences. These confidential groups create a powerful space for connection, feedback, and growth—some are even tailored specifically for graduate students.
See a list of our group sessionsInterpersonal process group therapy helps you connect meaningfully with yourself and others in a safe, supportive environment. Through open, honest conversations with your peers and trained facilitators, you'll explore how you relate to others and gain insight into your patterns. It's a powerful way to grow through shared experience and mutual support.
See a list of our group sessionsShort-term Individual Therapy offers focused individual psychotherapy and limited psychological assessments to help you navigate specific concerns. It's a goal-oriented approach designed to provide meaningful support and strategies within a set timeframe, tailored to your unique needs.
If it turns out that you need weekly sessions or longer-term care, we can help you find what you need.
Psychiatry and assessment referral services offer medical support and limited psychological assessments to help you better understand and manage your mental health. Whether you’re exploring medication options or need a deeper look at specific concerns, these services connect you with the right resources for personalized, professional care.
Referral to outside providers offers extra support to connect with external resources that match your unique needs. Whether you're looking for long-term therapy, specialized care, or services not offered on campus, we’ll help you find the right fit beyond IU Bloomington to continue your journey with confidence.
IU has partnered with Thriving Campus. Thriving Campus is a directory of off-campus mental health providers serving college students, with searchable filters for location and specialization.
Visit Thriving CampusAcute Crisis Management provides immediate support for a mental health crisis, offering urgent care when you need it most. Whether you’re facing a sudden challenge or need rapid intervention, our team is here to help you stabilize and connect with the right resources for ongoing care.
Make an appointment
Call 812-855-5711 to make a CAPS appointment.
Cancel an appointment
Learn about cancelingScope of clinical services
While many students find success with brief, solution-focused counseling, it may not be the best fit for everyone, as some students may benefit from more services than we can provide. Sometimes a student presents with needs that are beyond CAPS’s scope of service or would be best addressed in longer-term psychotherapy or by a therapist with a particular specialty. In those cases, the therapist/Clinical Care Manager will provide community referral options and support the student in connecting with appropriate off-campus providers as appropriate. Some situations that may need additional supports outside of CAPS include but are not limited to:
- An interest or need for ADHD, Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or other psychological testing/treatment
- An interest or need for Emotional Support Animal (ESA) documentation
- An interest or need to be seen weekly. Typically, students getting services at CAPS are seen every 2-3 weeks
- An interest or need for uninterrupted, continuous treatment across semesters
- An interest or need for a specialty or treatment modality we do not provide (i.e., severe substance use, moderate to severe disorder eating behaviors, couples counseling)
- An interest or need for court-mandated counseling
- Students who are currently receiving or intend to receive ongoing individual therapy from a mental health provider outside of CAPS/SACS. This does not apply to students interested in transferring care to CAPS or students interested in accessing groups, workshops, online 24/7 tools, or emergency services/after-hours crisis line
- Students experiencing significant levels of distress who need immediate inpatient or intensive outpatient care
- History of [multiple] psychiatric hospitalizations