Getting Started - Initial Brief Assessment

All appointments will be done over the phone/Zoom until further notice. 

 

How to get started

The best way to get connected to CAPS is to have an Initial Brief Assessment. When you are ready to explore options for mental health services, please call CAPS (805) 893-4411 or submit a CAPS Services Request Form. Brief assessments are usually done remotely (on phone or Zoom) but other acomodations can be made for in-person support: Monday thru Friday, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. 

At the time of your Brief Assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that asks you about your concerns and emotional health that will be reviewed by the clinician before your Brief Consultation. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to fill out.

What happens in a Brief Assessment?

During your Brief Assessment, you will talk privately with a mental health clinician in their office, have a chance to share your concerns, and develop a plan that will best meet your needs.  You and the clinician will discuss the many mental health resource options both on and off campus to determine a plan that best suits your needs. Some options include brief therapy at CAPS, long term therapy off-campus, group therapy, workshops, peer counseling, and/or other campus and community resources. The clinician will guide you through potential next steps depending on your unique needs and situation. The goal of the brief consultation is to have you leave with a supportive plan in place. 

Please take a look below at the different options that you and the mental health clinician may explore during your Brief Assessment. If you have a sense of what would be best for you, please feel free to share your preferences with your clinician at the start of the Brief Assessment. 

Please click here to access more information on Frequently Asked Questions.

As always, if you have any questions about the process give us a call at 805-893-4411.

 

[Text overlay on screen showing names of participants:]

Doctoral Psychology Interns - Dhriti Tiwari, M.S., Katherine Wu, M.A., Dana Campagna, M.A.

Mental Health Peer - Tony Munoz

[Speakers on screen begin speaking] 

Katherine W.: Hello and welcome to CAPS. Many students ask what happens in a BA and your first step in getting connected to caps is to schedule this brief assessment which we also call a “BA”. You can call for an appointment or fill out our online request form. 

Tony M.: So the purpose of a BA is to find out what concerns you want to address with a therapist and to make sure that we match your needs with the best resources available. BAs typically are about a 10 to 15 minute phone appointment, or longer if needed. 

Dhriti T.: The mental health clinician you meet during the BA will talk with you about why you reached out to caps and what areas you want help with this won't be an actual therapy appointment but a way to determine together what type of services are most appropriate for you and your goals

Katherine W.: And the person who you talk to on the phone for your ba likely won't be your therapist either you will go into your concerns more deeply with the therapy provider assigned to you after your ba when you discuss is confidential with the exception of imminent safety concerns and the clinician will review this with you.

Dana C.: So, many students come and seek support for things like academic stress, feeling overwhelmed, low motivation, anxiety, loneliness, depression, trouble with family or personal relationships, perhaps a traumatic event, suicidal thoughts, and many other concerns.

Katherine W.: So here are the steps. Once you talk to the clinician about the areas where you want help they're going to discuss options with you.  This may include brief therapy, single session therapy, or long-term therapy in the community. Together you will talk about what is best for your needs.

Tony M.L: So, they'll also discuss the differences between the options as well as what type of therapists you prefer to work with; whether they be female, male, or have a specific focus or identity. Your therapy appointment options will take place all on zoom.

Dhriti T.: The BA clinician may also talk with you about other options that may be helpful such as group therapy, psychiatry, social work, or other departments and resources on campus.

Tony M.: So what happens next? If short-term therapy is the best option after the BA the front desk will contact you via phone to schedule your intake appointment with a caps therapist. Please have your phone on  and know that calls may come from a blocked number during this “COVID response” time 

Dana C.: And if long-term therapy is the best option, the BA clinician may provide you with resources, such as a referral form and information for the therapist in the community. They may also walk you through our community therapist database which can help you narrow down which therapists to contact.

Katherine W.: CAPS is here to help and even if you don't know what help you need the brief assessment appointment is going to help you figure out your next best step. We really look forward to meeting you. Thank you so much for watching.

[Text showing at end of video:] 

How to get Connected to CAPS:

  1. Call 805-893-4411 or submit an online Services Request Form (capos.sa.ucsb.edu) to schedule a Brief Assessment
  2. Follow instructions on how to fill out paperwork for your appointment and talk to your BA provider about your concerns and needs.
  3. Follow up with the recommendations from your BA appointment. This may include setting up your first real therapy session, signing up for group therapy, or getting connected with a community provider.

If at any point you need to connect with CAPS urgently, please call (805) 893-4411 (24/7) and press 2 to connect with a live counselor on the phone.