CAPS Psychiatric Services is a clinical program staffed by Psychiatrists (medical doctors) and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental health issues.
Psychiatric Evaluations
Any student wishing to see the psychiatrist will first meet with a CAPS counselor for a triage and an intake. The intake counselor will do a thorough assessment of your mental health concerns and need for a medical evaluation by the psychiatric provider. After the intake, a referral will be made to the psychiatrist if deemed medically appropriate.
An initial appointment with a psychiatric provider usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes. During this appointment they will review your mental health concerns, and ask questions about your medical history, your family history, your general development, and your feelings and functioning. If necessary, they will also request your past treatment records and laboratory tests. At the end of the first appointment, you and the provider will discuss treatment options, which may or may not include a recommendation for medication and/or follow-up visits. The Psychiatric provider may also order lab tests. If medication is recommended, the CAPS psychiatrist can provide a prescription, but ultimately, the decision on whether to take medication is yours.
Medication Management
Initiation of Medication and Medication Monitoring
If you and your psychiatric provider agree that you should begin medication, you will have periodic follow-up appointments. This allows your provider to monitor its effectiveness and possible side effects and determine if they need to make any changes in dosage or medication type.
It is important that you do not abruptly discontinue psychiatric medications. Thus, we recommend that all CAPS Psychiatry patients schedule any follow-up appointments well in advance of the need for a medication refill.
Continuing on Medications Begun at Home or Elsewhere
If a different provider has prescribed psychiatric medication(s) but you wish to transfer care to CAPS Psychiatry, you will still need to meet with one of our psychiatric providers for a comprehensive assessment. At the conclusion of the assessment, the provider will make further determination about whether or not they will continue you on the same medication or if the medication needs to be changed. This determination is based on your current mental health status.
Eligibility and fees
Currently enrolled Rutgers students are eligible to be seen by CAPS Psychiatry. Our providers are in-network with many insurance plans. CAPS administrative staff will check your insurance benefits and will review these benefits prior to your appointment. Patients are responsible for paying insurance deductible, co-payments, co-insurance, or any other costs not covered by insurance.
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