Counseling & Psychological Services

In this section:

CAPS Same Day Services

If you feel like you need to speak to someone about your immediate concern, we have counselors available to talk with you for a one-time meeting during business hours. 

Brief Therapy

Counselors are here to help you identify and address personal goals, enhance your personal development, meet life's challenges, and improve your interpersonal relationships that will benefit from several therapy appointments. We offer brief therapy to individuals and couples who are matriculated students of San José State University.

You do not need to be in significant distress to seek counseling. Sometimes our beliefs or expectations of ourselves, or of counseling, results in a delay in seeking help until situations become serious. While no issue is too big or small, many students tell us that they wish they had come to counseling sooner. Start the journey now with an Initial Consultation (ICON) appointment and seek counseling earlier rather than later.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling facilitates the exploration of personal concerns and needs of the individual.

Some of the issues often addressed in individual counseling are:

  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Self-esteem
  • Identity exploration, formation and expression
  • Body image and/or disordered eating concerns
  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Relationship concerns

Couples Counseling

Sometimes people who care about each other encounter impasses in their ability to resolve issues in their relationship. Counselors can help couples improve self-awareness, insight, communication, and relationship skills.

Counselors utilize a variety of interventions to assist couples in resolving problems. Couples may be given assignments to work on, either as a couple or individually. 

Group Counseling

Groups are a fantastic way to connect with peers who share similar concerns, learn new skills and strategies, and grow both emotionally and educationally!

Groups are often the most effective way to:

  • Gain support and encouragement from others
  • Learn how you are perceived by others
  • Gain specific skills to improve your life
  • Develop relationship skills

Ground rules, including confidentiality, are typically established with group members to help promote trust. For most benefit, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged. 

Some groups may require registration. To register, visit the SWC Patient Portal. 

If a group requires a referral or pre-group screening to attend, please call (408) 924-5678 to make an appointment.

If the group is online, you must log-in to the SWC Patient Portal at the time of the event to retrieve the Zoom link. 

Clinical Case Management

Clinical Case Management helps students to access resources in the community to assist with a variety of needs including long-term mental health services, health insurance, addiction related services, support groups, dental/vision care, disabilities resources, eating disorder treatment/resources, immigration support services, immune disorder testing/services, information about public benefit programs, legal services, Victim Support services and veterans resources. 

For more information about immediate basic needs, such as housing and food resources, visit SJSU Cares.

What to Expect

Clinical case management services are time-limited to assist students in obtaining support in connecting with needed on-campus and community resource(s). Clinical Case Management appointments may be conducted through a televisit or held in-person at the Student Wellness Center.

During your first meeting with the clinical case manager, you will discuss your situation and identify what types of community resources may be available. The clinical case manager can help you contact these resources, set goals, and plan for next steps. Some students find that they only need one appointment to meet their needs; others may need to return for an additional appointment until the case management need is resolved.

Psychology (Doctoral) Training

CAPS also hosts an APA-Accredited Health Service Psychology Internship Program and Multicultural Postdoctoral Residency program. Both training programs are essential to the values of CAPS to provide multicultural and social justice-oriented training and services, and are an important part of our center. Please visit links for both programs for more information.