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, 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 offered in-person at 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

Fall groups begin in September and continue throughout the semester. Click the different titles below to learn more about each group therapy option.

Therapy groups:

This is an open, creative therapy group that focuses on building mindfulness skills to increase self-awareness, improve emotion regulation, and encourage self-exploration through multiple creative activities and group reflection.

This is a closed, skills-based group designed to increase your capacity to alleviate symptoms related to past traumatic experiences and to reclaim your life. 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 build social support.

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.

This is an open, general mental health group, that is beginner-friendly. Focused on creating a space for skill-building, emotional processing, and connection with others for the purpose of improving overall wellness and functioning.

Geared toward participants who require/desire more than once-a-week individual counseling and are open to building foundational coping skills. This group meets twice a week for 90 minutes each session.

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

Mental health services around Indy

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

Therapy groups:

Creative Connections

Beyond Trauma

Understanding Self and Others (USO)

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Lite

Individual counseling

Mental health services around Indy

Other services on campus

Division of Student Affairs social media channels