Counseling Options

You have options. We’ll help find the one best for you.

Your first meeting with a CAPS counselor will focus on understanding your concerns and what you hope will be different as a result of connecting with our team. We will make recommendations for next steps based on this information and your unique situation.

Recommendations may include: group therapy, individual counseling, psychiatry, referral to a community provider, other services on campus, or other specialized treatment.

Read below to learn about the specific services CAPS provides. To schedule an initial consultation, call, email, or visit CAPS’ office.

Contact CAPS

317-274-2548
capsindy@iu.edu

Lockefield Village, second floor
980 Indiana Ave.

CAPS’ email is not monitored after business hours. Please do not use in emergencies.

Group counseling

A group of people in a circle during a groups session.

Group counseling is a great way to building a support network, find a sense of belonging, and practice new ways of coping, thinking, and engaging. You’ll join 6 to 10 other Jaguars, along with counseling staff, to address specific areas of concern. Groups offered throughout the semester focus on:

Coping strategies
Self-care
Communication
Interpersonal skills
Managing depression, anxiety, and/or stress

Group sessions typically last 60–90 minutes, are free of charge, and are held in the CAPS office.

If you are also using CAPS’ individual counseling services, let your counselor know if you are interested in a group. They will offer their recommendations and may schedule a pre-group meeting with the group leader.

To join a group, contact CAPS by phone at 317-274-2548 or via email at capsindy@iu.edu

Group descriptions and schedule

Spring groups begin in January. Click the different titles below to learn more about each group therapy option and when they meet this semester.

Practice self-compassion by improving emotional well-being, motivating yourself with kindness, and learning self-appreciation skills.

Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m. (CAPS Office)

Build mindfulness skills to increase self-awareness, improve emotion regulation, and encourage self-exploration through art therapy and group reflection.

Tuesdays, 5–6:30 p.m. (CAPS Office)

Seeking sense of community? This group encourages empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of belonging.

Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m. (CAPS Office)

Get support and learn how to integrate coping tools in several areas like emotion regulation, distress tolerance, communication with others, and your capacity to offer and receive support from others.

Fridays, 10–11:30 a.m. (CAPS Office)

Learn about the impact of trauma on the brain, body, and your environment while gaining tools to self-soothe, reconnect with your values, and reengage with or rebuild social supports. Through education and experiential activities, you will improve your daily life beyond your past traumatic experiences.

Fridays, 1–2:30 p.m. (CAPS Office)

Gain insights into yourself and your relationships by learning to communicate honestly and effectively with others. Within a supportive environment, you will learn how others perceive you, share your experiences, and learn how your peers manage relationship problems.

Fridays, 1–2:30 p.m. (CAPS Office)

I am glad I joined group. It was a nice addition to my individual therapy sessions and made me feel less alone and isolated. I always feel better after!
-Anonymous group participant

Seeing that others had similar experiences or thought processes made feel like I wasn’t alone. I always feel like a weight is lifted off of my shoulders.
-Anonymous group participant

Individual counseling

Two students sit outside of the campus center and talk.

When individual counseling is the best fit, you’ll meet one-on-one with an objective, caring mental health professional. Your counselor will help you to set and reach goals based on your unique needs, and sessions last for around 50 minutes. Your needs will be assessed regularly to determine if different treatment options or a referral would be helpful.

Individual counseling may be right for you if you experience any of the following:

Anxiety or depression
Difficulty completing everyday tasks
Eating concerns
Trauma
Grief or loss
Substance misuse

Psychiatric medication management

For many people dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, a combination of counseling and medication is often the most effective treatment. We offer psychiatric medication management services through an independent board-certified psychiatrist to help you get what you need from your treatment.

Psychiatric services are available to any IU Indianapolis student enrolled in a planned course of study. To access these services, you must have completed a free initial consultation with a CAPS counselor. If you initiate psychiatric services, there is a $55 fee, and follow-up appointments are $40. Psychiatric services are not eligible for a fee reduction.

Get to know us

Based on your needs, your recommendation from CAPS might be to seek services from a provider in the community. The options below are not endorsements but are good places to start.

Other services on campus

IU Indianapolis has several options to support your health and wellness needs. Your recommendation might include a referral to a service on campus like:

Counseling Options

You have options. We’ll help find the one best for you.

Contact CAPS

Group counseling

Group descriptions and schedule

Cultivating Mindful Self-compassion

Artful Presence

Jaguar Support Group

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Beyond Trauma

Understanding Self and Others (USO)

Individual counseling

Psychiatric medication management

Get to know us

Other services on campus

Division of Student Affairs social media channels