Frequently Asked Questions About CPS
- You have emergency counseling available. What is considered an “emergency”?
- Why do I have to make a phone appointment?
- What is the process to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist?
- How long do you keep records?
- Who are the therapists? Do they do peer counseling here?
- Do you only see students with SHIP?
- How many sessions do I get with CPS?
- What if I don’t like my counselor and want to change to someone else?
- I just graduated/withdrew. Can I see still someone at CPS?
- Can I do an informational interview with a counselor?
- I attend another UC campus. Am I eligible for services here?
You have emergency counseling available. What is considered an “emergency”?
If a student is having thoughts about harming themselves or someone else, or is struggling to function and take care of basic daily needs, then that is definitely an emergency and the person should be seen as soon as possible. However, other situations might be considered an “emergency” based on cultural differences, amount of support, coping skills, or immediate and intense stressors the student is facing. Students’ are often the best evaluators of whether something feels urgent enough to warrant seeing a counselor the same day, and we want to be sure to help them in that moment if the need is there.
Why do I have to make a phone appointment?
Phone appointments are an excellent way to access our service and talk with a trained counselor to determine what is the best next step to take to meet a student’s needs (e.g. referral to primary care, recommendation for on-campus resource, schedule an in-person appointment at CPS, etc.).
What is the process to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist?
Students can be referred to see a CPS psychiatrist after they have met in-person with a CPS or Social Services counselor for an initial consultation.
How long do you keep records?
Records are destroyed seven years after the last visit. This process is done annually.
Who are the therapists? Do they do peer counseling here?
Our therapists are a multicultural, multi-disciplinary group of mental health professionals specifically trained to work with a university population. Our therapists include licensed professionals as well as Master’s and doctoral level trainees who are under the supervision of a licensed professional. We do not do peer counseling here. UHS Health Promotion as well as Student-to-Student Peer Counseling are available specifically for peer counseling.
Do you only see students with SHIP?
No, we see any registered student, regardless of whether the student has SHIP or not. We can also see non-student partners and significant others of registered students for couples counseling.
How many sessions do I get with CPS?
The number of sessions is determined by you and your counselor based on your treatment plan and counseling needs. Students are eligible for up to 8 sessions of individual or couples counseling.
What if I don’t like my counselor and want to change to someone else?
If you would like to transfer to a different therapist, then talk with your current counselor about your concerns and request. If you decide that you would still like to see a different counselor, then your therapist can identify another appropriate counselor for you to see either at CPS or in the community.
I just graduated/withdrew. Can I still see someone at CPS?
Yes, you can still see someone at CPS until the last day of eligibility, which is August 14 if your last semester was spring semester or January 14 if your last semester was fall semester.
Can I do an informational interview with a counselor?
Please contact Sue Bell, our Outreach Manager, at 510/642.9494. She will be able to determine if someone would be available to speak with you.
I attend a different University of California university. Am I eligible for services here?
Although you are eligible for primary care and urgent care services, you are not eligible for counseling or social services at UC Berkeley.
