Services

Single Session Therapy

CAPS is now offering Single Session Therapy (SST), an innovative new service for students who want to get on with their lives, but just need a bit of help to get unstuck.

When some people think of therapy they think of lying on a couch and talking about their deepest darkest issues several times each week for years on end. While that kind of therapy still exists, most people prefer therapy to be brief and focused. They see therapy as a springboard for making changes or coming up with solutions so they can move forward and be ready to face challenges right now.

Research shows that engaging in one session can often be enough to kick-start the process of making effective changes to your life. If you are a student who has a specific issue or situation that is causing stress, but cannot quite figure out how to navigate it or move forward, our Single Session Therapy (SST) option might be best for you.

You may be asking, “Am I a good candidate for Single Session Therapy?” You are if … 

• You have a good understanding of what your issue is, but you just cannot quite figure out what to do about it
• You are facing a difficult situation and do not quite know how to resolve it
• You are willing to work toward solving a specific issue or problem in your life
• You feel “stuck”
• You are generally “action-oriented” and are looking for solutions you can implement now

How to Schedule a Single Session Therapy (SST) Appointment:
Single Session Therapy (SST) is available by appointment. Initial Consultation and Single Session Therapy appointments can be scheduled through the Online Portal. 

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is a unique, confidential, and collaborative relationship between a professional and a person seeking help in which both the skills of the helper and the helping environment assist the student with learning to relate to themselves and others in healthier ways.  Our services are not only for students with "problems."  Many people, including highly successful students, experience significant benefits from participating in counseling.  Counseling offers an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings, explore issues of concern, gain awareness and insight, make decisions, learn to problem-solve, learn skills, and to take charge of your life. Students come to counseling for a number of reasons, including:

Group Counseling

Group approaches to personal growth are frequently the most effective way to explore and support changes you may wish to make in your life. The Longwood University Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS) hosts a variety of groups in which students can gain specific skills and strategies to meet personal goals, explore interpersonal challenges, and gain support and encouragement from other students on campus.

Learn more about group counseling

Crisis Intervention

Crisis intervention is offered to any student who faces a psychological emergency in which there is a need for immediate assistance. Emergency coverage and crisis intervention are provided in collaboration with other resources. During office hours, call CAPS at 434-395-2409, let us know it is an emergency and the nature of the emergency. If CAPS cannot be reached or it is after hours, please call the Longwood Police Department (434-395-2091), your Resident Advisor (RA), or the Resident Education Coordinator for your hall/building.  When needed, the counselor on-call will be notified.  For more information on determining if your situation would constitute as an emergency, please visit our emergency page.

Consultation

Consultation is available to address specific problems or mental health/wellness issues. Please note that no information about a student can be divulged without a Release of Information Form (pdf) signed by the student. Faculty, staff, parents and students concerned about a student are encouraged to call the CARE Team (434)395-2492.

ADHD & Specific Learning Disability Testing

The Longwood University Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS) is pleased to offer formal, comprehensive testing for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Learning Disorders.

Testing is provided by Licensed Clinical Psychologists and supervised CAPS providers. This team coordinates with various services across campus, such as the Office of Disability Resources, as appropriate and only with the signed consent of the student.

More Information

Outreach Services

Outreach services are provided to enhance the well-being of the Longwood community. Programs and workshops vary from semester to semester.  Programs can be arranged by request and will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the campus.

Learn more about outreach services

Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

CAPS offers Light Therapy for students who may be experiencing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the Fall and Winter months. To access this service, call or stop by to schedule a screening to find out if this service might be helpful for you.

SAD and Light Therapy

Well-Being Clinics

Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

CAPS has developed a series of skill-building Well-Being Clinics to address universal concerns such as stress, intense emotions, adjustment concerns, and relationship issues. These clinics are scheduled throughout the semester to provide an expedited way to learn skills needed for personal and academic success.

For many students mental health and well-beings concerns fall into four general areas: Improving Relationships (Interpersonal Effectiveness), Stabilizing Moods (Emotion Regulation), Managing Stress (Distress Tolerance), and Making Change.

During the clinics students will be introduced to activities and worksheets to illustrate and practice each area through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills. For many students, completing the series of Counseling Workshops will be sufficient. For students who need more than the four Well-Being Clinics, group or individual counseling may be an additional resource.

View Well-Being Clinics schedule