No appointment for initial assessments
All students or Postdoctoral Fellows begin their work with CAPS through an initial walk-in assessment. Initial assessments occur without an appointment for students seeking counseling or psychological services for the first time that term at UNC-Chapel Hill. The initial assessment is an opportunity to speak with a mental health professional about challenges and determine a plan for next steps.
Hours
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Hours may vary during holidays and academic breaks.
Initial Visit Flow
- Complete a brief questionnaire. Be as detailed as desired.
- Speak to a mental health professional about challenges managing academic and personal demands.
- Create an agreed upon plan for moving forward to reach goals.

Possible Next Steps
- Brief therapy offers support for issues that are relatively well-defined and can be adequately addressed or resolved in a brief time frame, available through on CAPS therapists or Academic LiveCare.
- Group therapy offers connection with people struggling in similar ways or desiring similar support.
- Referral coordination helps you navigate the process of connecting with a provider in the community for long-term therapy, considering factors like insurance, transportation, and specific needs.
- Medication management is available through CAPS psychiatrists or pharmacy practitioners, who provide education, evaluation, prescription, and ongoing monitoring of psychotropic medications.