Full- and part-time DePaul students currently registered
and enrolled in a degree program are eligible for counseling
services through University Counseling & Psychological Services (UCAPS). Please note: Faculty and staff are not eligible for counseling services through UCAPS.
Students are eligible to receive brief screenings and consultations, drop in emergent care, and mental health counseling through two on-campus locations, telehealth session, or a 24/7 mental health support line. Students should dial 773-325-CARE (2273) option #1 to speak to a counselor 24/7, or select option #2 to schedule a consultation. For walk-ins, students should visit the UCAPS offices:
- Loop: Lewis Center, 25 E. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1465
- Lincoln Park: Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 350
Faculty and staff can also call 773-325-CARE (2273) to speak to/collaborate with a counselor in support of students:
- Select option #1 for after-hours access (evenings and weekends)
- Select option #2, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What kind of concerns are addressed by counseling services?
Counseling services strives to help students successfully make important transitions, such as starting college; living away from home for the first time; transferring from another school to DePaul; returning to college after a time away from school; adjusting after a major life event or trauma (e.g., international travel or new cultural experience, parental divorce, illness or death; an assault or accident), and preparing to move from college to the work force.
Clients include a diverse population of students of varying ages and ethnicities, who present with a wide variety of situations and concerns, including:
- Adjustment to college
- Test anxiety
- General anxiety/panic attacks
- Depression
- Self-esteem
- Motivational problems
- Eating concerns
- Relationship issues
- Body image
- Sexual identity
- Family concerns
- Social confidence
- Couple concerns
What about the student who refuses to go to counseling?
Except in certain life-threatening situations, the choice of
whether or not to seek professional help is up to the individual.
If a troubled student refuses to seek counseling in the absence
of risk behaviors, you need to accept the student’s decision.
If you are quite concerned about a student, call UCAPS and speak to a counselor. In an emergency, dial 773-325-CARE (2273), option #1 to immediately speak to a therapist. You also
may consider consulting the Dean of Students Office. Unlike
UCAPS, the Dean of Students Office can call the student in for a
wellness check, if indicated.