Brief Treatment Approach

CAPS utilizes a brief treatment approach when seeing students in psychotherapy. Duration of psychotherapy is generally within the 6 to 10 session range with the goal of rapid stabilization. Essentially, efforts are made to assist students in returning to the level of functioning required for them to successfully carry out their academic work.

In most instances where students' needs don't fit with a brief therapy approach then referrals will be made to alternate clinic sites or to psychotherapists within the Charlottesville private practice community. In situations where there are factors that may interfere with a community referral then exceptions to a brief treatment approach may be made on a case by case basis. These issues will be explored in detail with students once they are seen for an appointment at CAPS.

Brief therapy limits are not applicable to our psychiatric services where patients may be seen for medication prescriptions for up to one year. Similarly, if one is participating in a group therapy the individual would remain a group member for the full duration of the group, even if it extended beyond six to 10 sessions.

Maintained by: studenthealth@virginia.edu Last Modified: Wednesday, 07-Nov-2007 13:57:51 EST © 2002 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia