Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell Health provides professional and confidential mental health care to help you “live well to learn well” here at Cornell.
Our staff members come from diverse clinical and cultural backgrounds with expertise in responding to the wide range of mental health concerns faced by university students.
About our services: Currently, CAPS counseling staff are providing services in-person and through telehealth (Zoom). Phone appointments may be available, when needed. Our psychiatry staff are providing most services in person, with limited telehealth and phone appointments. Services are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students studying in Ithaca.
Self-care resources & programming
- Visit our Health Topics section and our Fact Sheet Library for tips and information about sleep, managing stress and anxiety, and more.
- Enroll in a self-guided online program on building resilience or helping a friend in distress.
- Try Let’s Meditate for free guided meditation sessions, offered weekly throughout the semester.
- Register for Refresh, Cornell's sleep program.
- Visit our Mental Health Resources page for recommended articles, videos, and online resources to support your well-being.
CAPS services
“Let’s Talk” drop-in consultation
Informal drop-in consultations with a CAPS counselor for students who are uncertain if counseling is a good fit for them, or just in need of a one-time brief conversation with a provider. Offered Monday-Friday during the academic year.
- How to access: Drop-in; currently offered by Zoom and in person
- Cost: No charge
- Learn more: Visit our Let’s Talk page
Group counseling
Therapy groups focused on a variety of clinical issues and/or identity-specific experiences. Groups meet weekly by Zoom, and run from 5 weeks to semester-long.
- How to access: Schedule a brief group orientation if you know what group you would like to join (visit the Group Counseling page for details), or schedule an access appointment (see below) to explore what options might best fit your needs
- Cost: No charge
- Learn more: Visit our Group Counseling page
Individual counseling
Short-term individual therapy from a counselor at CAPS or from our partner organization, Mantra Health, focused on treating common mental health conditions.
- How to access: Schedule an access appointment (see below) to determine if this level of care is a good fit
- Cost: $10 / visit
- Learn more: Visit our Individual Counseling page
Workshops
One-hour skills-based workshops held throughout the semester, designed to help with anxiety, procrastination, and other topics.
- How to access: Drop-in; currently offered by Zoom
- Cost: No charge
- Learn more: Visit our Workshops page
Medication management
Evaluation and management of mental health medication treatment options, available through your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or through our psychiatry providers at CAPS and our partner organization, Mantra Health.
- How to access:
- New medication requests: Schedule an access appointment (see below) to discuss your needs and connect you with an appropriate provider
- Transferring medication requests: Call Cornell Health (607-255-5155) to schedule a virtual medication screening appointment to have a nurse review your history and connect you with an appropriate provider
- Cost: $10 / visit
Referrals
Individualized referrals for therapy, psychological testing (e.g., ADHD), or medication management with off-campus mental health providers, in Ithaca or in New York State.
- How to access: Contact a CAPS Referral Manager, or schedule a referral appointment
- Cost: No charge
- Learn more: Visit our Finding Off-Campus Mental Health Providers page
24/7 phone consultation
Call us 24/7 (607-255-5155) to consult with Cornell Health. When we're closed, you can speak with a mental health professional from our on-call service, ProtoCall.
- How to access: Call 607-255-5155 (24/7)
- Cost: No charge
- Learn more: Visit our 24/7 Phone Consultation page
Other resources for support
Visit the university’s Mental Health at Cornell website for campus-wide options to get support, help others, practice self-care, and get involved.
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Access appointments
Scheduling an access appointment is the first step to connecting with most CAPS services.
During this free 25-minute appointment, a trained mental health professional will assist you by matching your mental health concerns with the right level of care. They will ask questions to get to know you, your background, your reasons for seeking help, and your history with mental health care. At the end of the conversation, they will provide you with care recommendations to meet your needs including those that are available at Cornell Health and in the broader community.
To schedule an access appointment: Log in to myCornellHealth using your Cornell NetID and password, and select Appointments. You may also call 607-255-5155 during business hours to schedule.
For follow-up CAPS appointments: Appointments may be made directly with your CAPS provider. Or call us to schedule at 607-255-5155.