Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Macon Campus

Getting Started

Counseling Sessions

• All currently enrolled Mercer University students are eligible to receive short-term counseling services at no cost.
• Confidential counseling sessions are scheduled with one of the counselors. There is usually no extended waiting period for appointments.
• Appointments are encouraged, but you may walk in to schedule an appointment. Usually we can see you that day or the next.

To Schedule an Initial Appointment, call CAPS at (478) 301-2862
Please come by about fifteen minutes before your appointment to fill out the necessary forms.

Concerned About A Friend?

Consultation: If you are unsure of how to handle a specific student:

1. Call us at 301-2862, inform the secretary who you are (faculty, staff, administrator) and ask to speak with a psychologist.
   
2. A brief consultation may help you sort out the relevant issues and explore alternative approaches.
   
3. For the student, conveying your concern and willingness to help in any way (including referral) is probably the most important thing you can do. Your support, encouragement, and reassurance will be particularly valuable.

Referral: Tips for referring a student:

1. Explain clearly and concisely why you think counseling will help.
   
2. Having the student call for an appointment right then increases her/his responsibility and commitment to come in for counseling.
   
3. There may be times when it is more advantageous for you to accompany the student to our office.

Some situations are urgent:

• Fear of harming oneself or someone else
• Fear of "losing control"
• Sexual Assault or Date Rape
• Death of  loved one or close friend
• Acting strangely or out of touch with reality

In these cases, call CAPS (301-2862) or Mercer Police (301-2911).

Other points to know:

• All discussions are CONFIDENTIAL except when the student presents a danger to him/herself or others, or when abuse of a child or elderly person is involved.
• All services are FREE to currently enrolled Mercer University students.
• Our individual counseling services are designed for students who can benefit from time-limited counseling.  If long-term therapy, medication prescription/management, or hospitalization is indicated, the student will be referred to an appropriate off campus resource.