Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

Message to Students

Dear Students,

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) joins the San Francisco State University community in expressing our grief, sorrow, and outrage at the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn and are dedicated to addressing. While these tragedies can be traumatizing for all of us, we recognize that they are especially painful and injurious to members of our Black community. In the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing trauma, it is normal to experience a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, and/or guilt. CAPS is committed to affirming and providing support for all of our students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by experiences of racism, discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping and/or violence.

For more informaton and resources, please visit our Racial Trauma, Resiliency and Ally Resources page.

If you would like to schedule a phone or video appointment with us, please call CAPS at 415-338-2208 during business hours (9am-4pm; closed noon-1pm).  

If you prefer a phone appointment, please be sure you have a private space and good cell service for your appointment.

If you would like to have counseling via secure video conference (Zoom), you will need a good Internet connection, a private space, and a device with a camera. Video therapy will be offered via secure website (you won’t have to download any software). Please review our Telebehavorial Health Services page for more information about remote counseling.

Sincerely,
Stephen Chen, Psy.D.
Director of Counseling & Psychological Services

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Dear Students,

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to providing support to students during this stressful time marked with concerns around the Coronavirus as well as the transition to virtual instruction. CAPS remains open and operational with adjusted services. Due to Coronavirus precautions, we are offering the option of remote counseling and groups. In accordance with California laws, currently we are only able to provide remote counseling to students residing in the state of California. At this time, there are no in-person visits at CAPS. If you are an out-of-state student, please click the following link to download a PDF guide on Searching for Therapy.

If you would like to schedule a phone or video appointment with us, please call CAPS at 415-338-2208 during business hours (9am-4pm; closed noon-1pm).

If you prefer a phone appointment, please be sure you have a private space and good cell service for your appointment.

If you would like to have counseling via secure video conference (Zoom), you will need a good Internet connection, a private space, and a device with a camera. Video therapy will be offered via secure website (you won’t have to download any software). Please review our Telebehavorial Health Services page for more information about remote counseling.

We ask that if you have any Coronavirus symptoms (cough, fever, difficulty breathing) to call the SF State Student Health Services (SHS) at 415-338-1251.  (Note: SHS has shifted all medical appointments to phone visits. Currently there are no in-person visits at SHS.)

For the SAFE Place, services are also modified to continue providing services to the SF State community in accordance with the safety measures put into place by the University. The SAFE Place will continue to provide crisis counseling and advocacy to students who are in crisis (via Zoom). Please call 415-338-2208 with questions or to schedule with The SAFE Place.

Please visit our Self-Care Tips and/or Resources webpages if you need additional resources on or off campus for mental health support.

In this uncertain time, please know that we at CAPS care about you. We are happy to help in any way that we can. If there are any adjustments or updates to our services, we will provide them here as they become available. If you have any questions, please call us at 415-338-2208.

Sincerely,
Stephen Chen, Psy.D.
Director of Counseling & Psychological Services
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The mission of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is to enhance the psychological well-being of the entire campus community and thereby facilitate the retention and successful educational experience of students, faculty, and staff. Click mission statement for full description.

How to Make an Appointment

Appointments can be made by visiting Student Services Building Room 205 or calling the office at (415) 338-2208. We require 24-hour notice for cancellation of appointments. Failure to do so will result in a $20 charge.

CAPS provides a variety of support groups and skill-building workshops. For more information on our groups, please visit our Groups & Workshops page.

NOTE: We do not provide academic counseling (i.e. advice on what classes to take, majors and/or minors, etc.). You may inquire about academic counseling from the Undergraduate Advising Center located in the Administration Building Room 211, or call them at (415) 338-2103. For graduate students, please contact the Graduate Studies department.

Students Experiencing Crisis Situations

For Students: If you believe you are experiencing a crisis that cannot wait for a regularly scheduled appointment, please contact our office. A clinical counselor will meet with you on the first available emergency appointment to do a brief assessment and make recommendations as to how to proceed.

For Faculty, Staff, and Administrators: If you are concerned about a student who may be in crisis, please call CAPS to consult and/or visit the Dean of Students Office website for more information around student concerns. One avenue for reporting student concerns is the Action Crisis Team (ACT). Please visit the Action Crisis Team website if you want to make a report.