Facilitated by CAPS clinicians, CAPS Communities are an effective way to gain support within a student community with similar concerns. Community sessions are free and can be attended in addition to individual therapy at CAPS or with an off-campus provider.
For more information about joining a community, please call CAPS at 504-314-2277 or visit our CAPS community FAQ page.
What are the top 5 benefits of CAPS communities?
- Connection and Support: Communities can be a support network where members provide one another with a safe sounding board while working through personal difficulties.
- Universality: It can be a relief to hear other students discuss what they’re going through and realize none of us are alone in facing life challenges.
- Enhanced Perspective: By seeing how other people tackle similar situations, you can gain new perspectives. Hearing how other members are working to overcome their issues can be motivating and encouraging.
- Social Skills: Communities can help ease a sense of awkwardness or isolation by giving an opportunity to practice relating to others.
- Insights: Communities teach you about yourself and help uncover “blind spots,” presenting valuable insights about your own life and way of seeing the world.
What types of communities does CAPS offer?
CAPS offers communities that fall into three categories: Interpersonal Process Communities, Skills-Based Communities, and Support Communities. Please note that communities must have at least three student members to begin meeting.
Interpersonal Process Communities
These are general communities to support students with increasing self-awareness and making changes through connection with others and with the support of the community facilitator. They are open to students with a variety of concerns and are offered at a few different times throughout the week.
Skills-Based Communities
These are tailored communities designed to assist students with developing their “mental health toolbox.” Students can expect to learn skills and strategies that they can immediately begin to apply to their lives. Some communities might be cyclical and run more than once in a semester.
Support Communities
These are specific communities for students who are going through something in their lives and would benefit from connecting with others who share similar experiences. These communities operate on varying schedules and may be open to new members throughout the semester.
Current CAPS Community Offerings
To see a list of communities offered during the current semester, visit our CAPS community offerings page.
Frequently Asked Questions
See our CAPS community FAQ page for more details about communities.
