Counseling & Psychological Services provides a wide array of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services. These range from information and referral services to comprehensive evaluations, treatment and reentry services. 

1. Alcohol and Other Drug Evaluation: Counseling & Psychological Services provides mandatory and voluntary evaluations for currently enrolled FSU students. There is no fee for an evaluation. FSU students interested in scheduling an evaluation should call 850-644-TALK (8255) and request an AOD evaluation. 

• What does the evaluation include?   

  • The evaluation is completed in one session, with an invitation to continue therapy if desired. A comprehensive interview generally includes a review of the client’s history of  use of substances, health-related questions, and family and personal history. 

• What happens after the evaluation?   

  • Upon completion of the evaluation, results and recommendations are given to the student. Education about potential harmful consequences of continued substance use is part of the evaluation process. 

• Is therapy mandated?   

  • Students may enroll in counseling, but counseling cannot be mandated. The AOD evaluation may not be used for legal purposes, such as DUI charges or court-ordered treatment. A referral will be made for students with legal involvement. 

2. Counseling: Individual counseling is offered to any currently enrolled FSU student who wishes to decrease or end their use of substances. Students follow a brief therapy outpatient model and meet with the AOD counselor regularly as agreed upon. Students may attend weekly therapy groups if appropriate. 

3. Referral: If a student is in need of more intensive treatment, referrals may be made for medical detoxification, intensive outpatient or residential treatment. Our licensed clinicians are knowledgeable about community services and can assist with services outside of Tallahassee if needed. 

4. Re-entry: If a student re-enters FSU after attending an alcohol and/or drug treatment program, the AOD counselors can assist the student with a Relapse Prevention and Recovery program. Students will usually meet with the AOD counselor for individual sessions and will attend local support groups. (Lists of self- help groups with times and locations are provided to students, upon request). 

5. Emergency Phone Calls: The AOD counselors are available to assist parents, students, and faculty/administrators by phone about concerns related to a student´s use of substances. The concerned caller may leave a message if the AOD counselor is not available. If the student is eligible for services, we ask that the student contact Counseling & Psychological Services and schedule an appointment with one of the AOD counselors. Parents and university personnel may not schedule the appointment for the student. If the person is not eligible for services, referrals will be given by phone. 

6. Triage: A student may come in for a triage screening by walking-in on Monday- Friday,  8 a.m. - 4 p.m. where they meet with a counselor to assess the student’s risks and needs. If deemed appropriate, a referral will be made to one of the AOD counselors. Depending on how urgent the needs are, an appointment will be scheduled as soon as is feasible. 

7. Confidentiality and General Information: General information about services at Counseling & Psychological Services and resources in the community will be given in person or by phone. Once a student becomes a client, confidentiality rules apply. Communication by any of our staff with any third party regarding the client will require the student/client to sign an authorization for this communication. 

Couples counseling is offered to students on a short-term basis to help address a variety of issues, including communications skills, conflict resolution/problem solving and other issues that may arise within a relationship. One of the individuals must be currently enrolled at FSU to be considered eligible for couples counseling. 

Different types of crisis intervention services are provided by the counseling center staff. These include working with students on an individual basis, consulting with faculty/staff and at times parents, to help them determine when a referral may be needed for a student. Support services are also provided for parties affected by campus crises. Students having a crisis may come to the center to see an on-call counselor without an appointment. A plan will be formulated to address the needs of the student. This plan may include scheduling a follow-up intake, and/or a referral for other services. Clinicians are available to assist faculty/staff as well as parents to identify when it is appropriate to refer a student to the counseling center. Counseling & Psychological Services has a clinician on duty 24/7 by calling 850-644-TALK (8255). The following agencies may be contacted for additional assistance:

• FSU Police Department
  (850) 644-1234
• 211 Big Bend 24-hour Crisis Help Line - Local
  Call 211 or (850) 617-6333
  Toll Free 1-877-211-7005
• Tallahassee Memorial Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center
  1300 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
  (850) 431-0912
• Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Center
  1616 Physicians Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308
  (850) 431-5105

Counseling & Psychological Services and the University Health Services use a “team” approach in helping people with eating disorders. The team approach is the most successful way of helping those coping with eating disorders or who may be engaged in disordered eating behaviors. Individual counseling, nutrition counseling and medical consultation are all essential aspects of treatment for eating disorders.

 When a student comes in for counseling, the counselor will typically refer the person to a physician for a physical exam and to a nutritionist for nutrition counseling. This team of professionals will then work together with the student to provide the most effective treatment possible. Students with chronic or severe eating disorders may be referred to community outpatient or inpatient services. 

Group counseling offers a safe environment in which to give and receive support regarding specific issues, explore healthy behaviors and develop new ways of coping. It allows an opportunity to learn more about oneself and others in a climate of trust and mutual support. 

We offer a variety of groups each semester for currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students each semester. Those groups recently offered have focused on issues such as relationships, grief, shyness/social anxiety, common experiences or developing specific skills. Like individual counseling, group counseling is confidential; information disclosed to other members is not discussed outside the group. 

While many of our groups run open-endedly, some of our offerings change from semester to semester.  Membership in a group is by referral only; all students in our groups have an assigned primary counselor at CAPS. Please speak with your primary counselor about group therapy if you are interested in participating in a group.  If you do not have a primary counselor at CAPS come see us to get connected. Group counseling is a very effective and efficient way to deal with many of the concerns that face undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students.  

For more information, call 850-644-TALK (8255) or stop by Counseling & Psychological Services, located on the 2nd floor of the Askew Student Life Center. 

Additional information on group therapy can be found at What is Group Therapy? 

Individual short-term therapy is provided at the center to help students address various issues and concerns. Students seek our services for a variety of concerns and needs. After the initial screening appointment, students will be scheduled for a biopsychosocial assessment to review current concerns, symptoms and personal history. A treatment plan to address your goals will then be developed collaboratively with your clinician as appropriate for the brief treatment model. Some common concerns are: 

Alcohol/Drugs 

Anger 

Anxiety 

Assertiveness 

Depression 

Discrimination 

Eating Disorders 

Family 

Grief 

Relationships 

Self-Esteem 

Sexual Abuse/Assault 

Sexual Orientation 

Sexuality 

Social Isolation 

Stress 

Study Skills/Test Anxiety 

Suicidal Thoughts 

Time Management