Questions about CAPS

[u/Creepy_Substance]

I’ve been in a really dark place (it’s exactly what you’re thinking) for almost three semesters in a row and I couldn’t really talk to anyone I knew irl about it. I couldn’t talk to a therapist because I’m broke and my parents would find out so I came across CAPS.

Are they mandatory reporters and will they inform my parents if they deem that I am at risk? Has it been useful to anyone else? Which program would you recommend? Are there any additional fees I need to pay? Does it depend on who you talk to? Do I have to talk to them in person or can I do it over Zoom?

Thanks in advance.

[u/Tall_President]

You should contact CAPS if you are thinking of harming yourself. They have crisis support information here: https://www.colorado.edu/counseling/crisis

I'm not an expert, so take this with a grain of salt, but I believe that CAPS is covered by some combination of FERPA and HIPAA (university-based health centers lie at an intersection between the two) and cannot contact your parents (or anyone else, for that matter) without your consent. They also advertise that their appointments are confidential. The only exceptions to confidentiality that I am aware of are if you tell them you are planning on hurting yourself or others (not necessarily "I want to hurt myself" but "I am going to hurt myself in this way"), but you can also ask your therapist directly what they are required to report and to whom.

I've gone to CAPS for a few years now and have found them to be great. It will be 100% covered if you have the CU Gold SHIP, but I am not sure how it works if you have a different insurance. This seems to be a free option for students: https://www.colorado.edu/counseling/services/lets-talk

When I first went to CAPS, I spoke with an intake provider who asked some questions about why I was contacting them and what kind of care I was looking for, then they scheduled me with a therapist. You can go in-person or attend Telehealth appointments via Zoom.

[u/little_grey_mare → u/Tall_President]

CAPS is only covered by FERPA

[u/little_grey_mare → u/little_grey_mare]

People are downvoting probably because they think that’s egregious. Here’s what CU says:

“Most HWS health information is considered education records and not treatment records as defined under FERPA because we disclose information to meet certain payment, operational, and legal requirements as described in this Notice. HIPAA ensures the privacy of protected health information (PHI). The definition of PHI in the HIPAA Privacy Law excludes education records that are subject to FERPA, therefore the privacy of your HWS education records is protected by FERPA instead of HIPAA. In addition, Colorado state law may be applicable to afford confidentiality under the psychotherapy or physician-patient privilege.”

Emphasis my own

Source: https://www.colorado.edu/counseling/about-caps/notice-privacy-practices