Services

Initial Evaluation

At the conclusion of the initial evaluation, you and the CAPS provider will develop a set of goals and a plan of action which will include how often you will meet and how many sessions may be needed. An initial evaluation is typically scheduled for 90 minutes. To schedule this initial evaluation please contact our administrative coordinator at 843-792-4930.

Please note, CAPS does NOT provide:

• ADHD evaluations
• Prescriptions for stimulant medications
• Letters documenting need for emotional support or service animals

Patient-Provider Match

We hope that you will be an active partner in your treatment at CAPS. The therapeutic relationship between you and your provider is very important. Please let your provider know if you feel that a different treatment approach or a different provider would be of greater benefit to you. You may also request a different provider by speaking directly with our administrative coordinator at 843-792-4930. If you have time constraints for your appointments, please let your provider know that as well.

If you see your provider somewhere on campus, you can decide whether you want to acknowledge them or not; either choice will be respected.

Individual Mental Health Services

The focus of therapy is to help you address your problems, better understand yourself, and improve your coping skills so that you can enjoy greater productivity and adjustment. Individual sessions are typically scheduled for 50 minutes.

Couples Counseling

Certain problems are best addressed by seeing a couple together. CAPS provides couples therapy to any student and his/her partner involved in a significant relationship.

Psychopharmacological Management

CAPS Attending Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychiatry Residents provide evaluation and ongoing medication management for such problems as depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, insomnia, etc.

CAPS provides therapy for students with ADHD and related diagnoses; however, CAPS does not manage medication for these diagnoses. Students are encouraged to continue their relationship with the current prescribing provider or seek care from a local provider.

Important Information for Students about Prescriptions – Please Read Carefully

It is important that you schedule a return appointment with your prescribing provider to review and evaluate the effectiveness of your medications. Your provider will let you know the appropriate time frame for a follow-up appointment. It is essential that you see your provider to obtain refills for new medications.

When you start a new medication or if there is a dosage change for your medication, the RN will call you in one to three weeks (as directed by your provider) to check in regarding the effectiveness, side effects, and to relay any questions or concerns to your prescribing provider. Please call the RN at 843-792-4930 if you have questions or are experiencing any problems related to your medications.

If it is necessary for you to re-schedule a return appointment for medication management, please allow sufficient time to get on your provider’s schedule. Please keep in mind that providers will have limited appointments available each week.

Please clarify with your provider the number of doses in the prescription and how many refills are ordered.

Prescriptions will be called in, emailed, or faxed to your pharmacy by your provider.

Please allow three business days for refill requests to be processed and sent to your pharmacy.

If you are taking medications routinely, please enroll in your pharmacy’s auto refill option to ensure you receive your medications without unnecessary delays.

Consultation

Sometimes faculty and students are concerned for students experiencing difficulties. The CAPS staff will meet or speak by phone with the concerned individual to explore options and make recommendations. The concerned faculty member or student may remain anonymous or reveal the name of the student. Consultation is available to:

• students concerned about a friend or family member
• student groups and organizations
• faculty, administrators, preceptors and staff concerned about students
• faculty concerned about interpersonal interactions in the classroom environment
• departments and other MUSC offices interested in learning about student issues

Students and faculty have the option of submitting concerns to the Behavioral Support and Intervention Team (BSIT). CAPS works closely with BSIT team members.

Substance Use Treatment

Alcohol and/or drug use can have a serious negative impact on academic and clinical performance. Misuse of alcohol or prescription medications or the use of illegal substance can derail a promising career and endanger others. CAPS provides evidence-based confidential individual therapy for individuals with alcohol or substance use disorder. CAPS endeavors to assist students to choose to abstain from all illegal substances, to carefully evaluate the role alcohol plays in their lives, and make behavioral changes to remain healthy, safe, and to practice their future professions ethically and responsibly.

Therapy will be based on cognitive-behavioral approaches to help the student to identify both internal and situational contributors to alcohol and drug use, and to develop specific skills to make behavioral changes. Therapy will also focus on helping the individual recognize situations which may put them at risk for relapse and to learn and apply strategies to avoid and/or manage temptations.

CAPS also assists students and colleges by arranging for screening for drug and alcohol use and on-going random testing for alcohol and substances when needed.

More information here.

ADHD Assessment/Learning Disorders Assessments - Not Provided

CAPS does not provide psychometric testing for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or provide medication management for ADHD. CAPS does not provide evaluations for learning disorders.

CAPS provides individual therapy to assist with related problems, including organization, time management, problem-solving, decision-making, emotion regulation, procrastination, and relationship issues.

If you would like to be evaluated for ADHD or a learning disorder, please contact your health insurance provider to determine if psychometric/neuropsychological testing is a covered service and obtain information about the deductible and copay. If this is a covered service, the insurance company will have a provider panel from which you may select a provider. We encourage you to double-check with the provider when you call to schedule testing in order to ensure coverage.

If you are currently under treatment for ADHD with an outside provider, you will need to continue with your current treatment provider or other community providers. If you have the MUSC Student Health Insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) and administered by Academic Health Plans (AHP), care for ADHD may be covered under the policy if their conditions are met (which may include appropriate testing and preauthorization for medications). You can call the AHP-BCBS insurance Customer Service directly at 1-800-868-2520 for information or find an in-network provider.

If you are covered under another insurance plan, please check with your insurance company about coverage and community providers. In this case, it is important to confirm with community providers their office practices regarding insurance coverage.

CAPS does not make referrals for ADHD or neuropsychological testing. The MUSC Student Health Plan (AHP-BCBS) does not require referrals for mental health care or ADHD.