Student Affairs

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confront negative thoughts and behaviors. Specifically, the modules help students struggling
with depression, anxiety, relationships, communication, chronic pain, and alcohol and/or
drug use. Students can access TAO on their smartphone, tablet or computer and complete
the treatments on their own. If a CAPS counselor assigns TAO, a 10- to 15-minute weekly
videoconferencing appointment is scheduled to monitor progress. However, the student
can also self-enroll with their Clemson University student email. The Mindfulness Library
has a wealth of resources on various topics of interest to students. For the sign-up link, visit
or search for “TAO Mobile” in the app store.
Mood and AnxietyManagement Services
These programs treat symptoms from a holistic perspective with creative approaches,
including web-based resources. Given there is often an overlap between anxiety and
depression, these programs offer the well-received Tranquility Workshops. This four-week
series focuses on increasing self-understanding and self-acceptance while challenging
participants to recognize anxiety, stress, depression and increase effective coping.
Relationship and Sexual Violence Services (CU-CARES)
CU-CARES is a program that serves survivors of trauma in both individual and group
counseling. Survivors often benefit from providing and receiving support. CU-CARES
also provides educational programming to bring attention to healthy relationships for all
students.
Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Assessment, Choices, Transitions and Training (ACTT) program assists students with
issues resulting from the misuse of alcohol and/or other drugs. ACTT accepts referrals from
legal and judicial systems, faculty, staff and family as well as self-referrals. ACTT aims to
increase understanding of risk factors associated with both legal and illegal use of alcohol
and/or other drugs and promotes responsible decision-making.
Eating Disorders Program
This program encourages addressing eating concerns through a multidisciplinary approach,
which is necessary to address psychological, medical and nutritional perspectives. SHS
provides medical and psychological treatment to students struggling with their relationship
to food, along with a referral to a dietitian specializing in the treatment of disordered eating.
Body positivity is at the core of our model, and students are empowered to value their unique
identities as well as make peace with their bodies.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
This is the most intense program at CAPS involving one and a half hours of a skills class and
one hour of individual therapy for a total of two and a half hours per week. The program is
semester-long, covering four areas of exploration: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress
Tolerance and Interpersonal Effectiveness. This is a very effective program for students
wanting to improve their experience and management of emotions.
Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric consultation is available to evaluate and manage the medication needs of clients.
Students have access to the in-person psychiatrist or telepsychiatry, seeing a Medical
University of South Carolina psychiatrist. Fees for missed appointments and late
cancellations will apply.
Consultation and Outreach
CAPS counselors offer a variety of outreach services throughout the academic year and upon
request. Services include presentations on mental health issues, skills-building workshops
and crisis debriefings. CAPS also provides consultation services to assist students, faculty
and staff members with projects or specific situations where the advice of a mental health
professional may be helpful.
Services to Student Athletes
Recognizing the special needs of student athletes, CAPS in partnership with the Athletic
Department, has embedded psychologists in the Nieri Student-Athlete Enrichment Center.
Although the emphasis is on improving mental wellness, performance enhancement is
a corresponding outcome.
Services to Student Veterans
CAPS has an established, collaborative relationship with Military and Veteran Engagement
within the Department of Community Achievement and Student Empowerment that serves
student veterans. CAPS supports student veterans by providing counseling services as well
as facilitates referrals and connects students with various resources on campus.
CAPS on Call
For psychological emergencies, counselors are available for crisis assistance and consultation
24/7. After hours and on weekends, a CAPS counselor can be reached by calling the Clemson
University Police Department at 864-656-2222 and asking for the on-call counselor.
Training Programs
CAPS is home to a doctoral internship program accredited by the American Psychological
Association. This program provides a capstone experience for students in counseling
and clinical psychology doctoral programs. CAPS also provides a counseling internship
experience for master’s counselors-in-training. Both training programs provide services
under direct supervision. Undergraduate internships offer an introduction to the mental
health service delivery system.
Given that leaving home and entering a new educational environment can be a time of
transition, paying attention to your student’s mental health is important. Responding to
this time of change with some anxiety and a low mood is very normal. Most students rise
up to the challenge and, with your support and encouragement, can regain their balance.
However, sometimes these issues can worsen and may require more attention.
As much as therapeutically possible, CAPS involves the parents as we collaborate to enhance
the mental health of the student. However, know CAPS honors each student’s right to
confidentiality, and others are only involved with the student’s consent. Given that some
mental health needs also require medication, CAPS works collaboratively with Medical
Services for medication management. CAPS also provides psychiatric services.
Recognizing Signs of Concern
In learning about our many services on
campus to support healthy living, you can
be our partner to help prevent any issues
for your student. Staying alert and in tune
to any signs or symptoms of concern will
help keep students healthy — both mentally
and physically. Below is a list of signs of
concerning behaviors to keep in mind, but
also know many of these are common to the
student’s experience. You will want to look
for persistent patterns of behavior that are
out of character for your student:
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Recurring colds or minor illnesses
• Frequent muscle aches and/or tightness
• Being more disorganized than usual
• Increased difficulty in getting things done
• Greater sense of persistent time pressure
• Persistently sad, anxious, irritable or
empty mood
• No interest in previously enjoyable
activities
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Clemson has been a wonderful place to
watch our daughter mature into a self-
confident young woman. As parents,
it became our role to guide her as she
made her own decisions. We talked less
and listened more. It was uncomfortable
at first. We wanted to make things easier
for her and she did too! There were a few
tears and bumps along the way, but we
could not be more proud and amazed
as she transformed before our eyes.”
Robin D. Stringer
Anderson, S.C.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT:
RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF
CONCERN
• If you are concerned about your
student and want them to seek help,
encourage them to go to Counseling
and Psychological Services (CAPS).
CAPS is located in Redfern Health
Center and services are confidential.
For the initial visit, students are seen
through the walk-in clinic, Monday-
Friday, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on a
first-come, first-served basis.
• Based on the initial assessment,
follow-up treatment options include:
skills-building workshops and group,
couples or individual therapy. A
physician or psychiatrist consultation
may also be recommended. If the
issues of concern are related to
academics, behavior, emotional
health, finances, personal wellness,
adjustment or other concerns, you
may seek support for your student
through the Office of Advocacy and
Success by completing an online
CARE Report at
or by calling 864-656-
0935. A staff member will follow up to
offer resources and support. If it is an
emergency, call 911.
• If you have reason to suspect your
student’s well-being is in immediate
danger, you can contact the Clemson
University Police Department at
864-656-2222 or 911.