College can be a lot, but no student has to go through it alone! One thing that makes Kansas State so great is its free mental health resources to help students get through the ups and downs of university life. At 1105 Sunset Ave., Room 101, Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services has therapists, therapy programs and more to support students. Here are a few of those resources.

Consultation

Before going to any therapy sessions, students must attend a consultation. Consultations are usually 20-30 minutes, and uncover why the student needs therapy and the best therapy options for their goals. The therapist may recommend other resources based on the consultation.

Walk-in times for a consultation go from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Consultations cannot be scheduled in advance, meaning the earlier students come in, the more likely they’ll get a consultation that day.

Workshops

CAPS workshops are smaller group or asynchronous therapy programs designed to equip students with tools they need to navigate life. There is no limit to how many workshops students can attend, and some of the workshops include the following:

• Anxiety Toolbox
• Body Image Workshop
• Breakup Bootcamp
• Building Relationship Intimacy and Dialogue Effectiveness 
• Getting Unstuck
• Reset and Thrive
• Risk and Harm Reduction
• Date Yourself
• ADHD & Life Skills Series
• Recognition, Insight and Openness
• Mood Management

Students can sign up for a workshop through the myLAFENE+ portal and log in with their K-State eID, then click the workshops tab on the left and select the desired workshop. To sign up for an asynchronous class, they can contact CAPS at 785-532-6927.

Students who don’t cancel their workshop appointments more than 24 hours in advance will receive a $25 no-show fee on their CAPS account.

Goal-oriented individual therapy

All students who pay the student services fee can get up to eight free individual therapy sessions every semester. Individual therapy sessions are granted to students struggling with mental health issues affecting their personal and academic effectiveness.

Individual therapy often targets the following concerns:

• Help with immediate crisis situations or distress
• Moderate to severe depression
• Moderate to severe anxiety
• Suicidality
• Adjustment to the university or culture
• Relationship concerns (friends, family, roommates, romantic partnerships)
• Identity concerns (sexual, racial/ethnic, religious, gender, etc.)
• Life transitions
• Sexual assault
• Grief

To schedule an individual therapy appointment, go to the walk-in clinic and discuss it with a professional during the consultation.

Group Therapy

CAPS offers two types of group therapy: Interpersonal Process Groups and Skills Groups.

Interpersonal Process Groups focus on improving relationships. These sessions focus more on communication, interaction and behavior patterns, while the therapy focus fluctuates based on the group’s needs. Interpersonal Process Groups at CAPS include the following categories:

• Understanding Self and Others

• Graduate and Non-traditional Student Understanding Self and Others Group
• Spectrum
• Men’s Engagement Group

Skills Groups are constructed around a group facilitator who coaches students to develop skills. The groups have more focus on therapy, with the following categories:

• Taming Your Anxious Mind
• Calming the Storm
• Restoration Journey

Couples Counseling

CAPS also provides counseling for couples and polyamorous partners who are registered students at K-State. They also provide alternative therapy treatments and resources for partners wanting to include their children in the therapy process. More information can be found on the CAPS Couples Counseling website.

Referral Information

CAPS counseling has resources and referral information to provide students support outside of available resources. Here is a summary of what is listed on the community resources page on the CAPS website, but additional resources are obtainable by calling Lafene CAPS at 785-532-6927. 

Therapy Information

• Psychology Today Therapist Finder
• MHKMentalHealth.org
• Morning Star Inc. Mental Health Recovery: 785-587-4644

Crisis Services

• Crisis Center: 785-539-2785 or 800-727-2785
• Pawnee Mental Health: 785-587-4300
• Manhattan Emergency Shelter: 785-537-3113

Affordable Medical Services

• Community Care Ministries: 785-456-7872
• Konza Prairie Community Health/Dental Center: 785-320-7134
• Riley County Health Department: 785-776-4779