Psychiatric Services

Your first visit is a one-hour diagnostic appointment. You’ll complete a psychiatric history form and assessment prior to your visit. The provider will then complete a diagnostic interview, offer impressions and recommendations, and discuss treatment options with you. This is a collaborative conversation where you’re encouraged to ask questions and share your thoughts. 

If medication is part of your treatment plan, you'll return for regular follow-up appointments (usually every 2–3 weeks) to assess how you're responding and make adjustments if needed. These 20-minute appointments complement your ongoing counseling at CAPS. 

CAPS psychiatric services are $30 per visit. This can be charged to your student account or paid at the time of the appointment. CAPS can bill directly to Student Heath Insurance Plan for Penn State; other insurance plans require self-submission using provided billing statements. 

When appropriate, CAPS will help connect students with community psychiatric providers for ongoing care, particularly for ADHD treatment or medication management. Speak with your CAPS case manager for personalized guidance on setting up care, navigating insurance, and exploring low-cost options. 

Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is able to honor a limited number of requests for ADHD testing. Students can inquire about possible ADHD evaluation through CAPS by calling and requesting a phone screening first. Given the limited volume of ADHD testing cases CAPS clinicians can do, referrals to community providers who perform ADHD testing are provided to students if CAPS cannot perform the testing. Assessment results attained by the evaluating psychologist who performed psychological testing with the student can be communicated to Student Disability Resources if the student is seeking academic accommodations and a valid ADHD diagnosis is present. 

CAPS offers short-term individual therapy for students at Penn State for a variety of presenting concerns. CAPS also offers a four week clinic called Finding Focus for individuals that present with attention related concerns. If you are interested in learning more about treatment of ADHD at CAPS please call to schedule a phone screening.

Previous Provider 

If you are already being prescribed medication by a provider at home, consider asking if they would be willing to continue to manage the medication if you schedule visits when you are home during breaks. 

University Health Services 

If you have never been prescribed medication or, if continuing with a previous provider is not possible AND you have been tested and have a formal report by a qualified provider, a provider in University Health Services may be able to prescribe a medication for ADHD. This may be possible if ADHD is your only mental health disorder. To find out if a University Health Services provider can treat you, contact University Health Services, tell them your diagnosis and that you have an assessment report and you will be scheduled with the Case Manager to assess your eligibility. 

Local Psychiatric Provider 

If you have not had formal testing and/or you have another mental health disorder that needs treatment (i.e., depression or anxiety) then it is best to seek care from a psychiatric provider in the community. In addition to medication, it is usually best to work with a therapist on behavioral strategies when first being treated for ADHD. 

• See the Community Provider Locator and the guidelines for setting up private care for information on how to schedule with a provider and work with your health insurance. 

• Student Disability Resources provides reasonable accommodations and services to students with disabilities. The process for accommodations takes some time and requires thorough evaluation and documentation.
• Penn State Learning offers tutoring, workshops, and guided study groups.
• Check with your local college or department to see if other tutoring options are available. 

• Private Psychotherapy refers to talk therapy sessions typically held once per week for about 45–50 minutes. These sessions can be led by a licensed psychologist, counselor, social worker, or therapist and are designed to support ongoing mental health goals.
• Private Psychiatric Care involves evaluation and treatment with a medical provider—such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant—who can prescribe and monitor medications. Psychiatric care is often most effective when combined with talk therapy. 

If you have health insurance, here are some steps to take: 

1. There will be an 800 number on the back of your insurance card to call for mental health benefits. The insurance company will ask you for your ID number, which you can find on the front of the card.
2. Ask the insurance company what your "outpatient mental health benefits" are. They will tell you if you will owe a deductible or co-payment for visits and how many visits you are allowed per year.
3. Ask for a listing of therapists and/or psychiatric services in the zip code of 16801 or your local zip code. Make sure to get more than 1 or 2 names, as you may need to call several different practitioners. The insurance company may also give you a website address to look up this information.

If you do not have insurance, a counselor or case manager at Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can help you figure out other options. 

Once you have a list of names, start calling providers. Keep in mind that many have full schedules, so you may need to reach out to several. Be prepared to leave a voicemail with your name and phone number spoken slowly and clearly. 

The first few sessions are a time to evaluate how well you connect with your provider. It’s okay if the first person you meet isn’t the right match. Communicate openly—most providers are happy to adjust their approach or refer you to someone better suited to your needs. 

• See the Community Provider Locator and the guidelines for setting up private care for information on how to schedule with a provider and work with your health insurance. 

• If you think you need counseling, don't wait to begin the process! Availability tends to become scarce late in the semester. The sooner you call someone, the sooner you may be able to get an appointment.
• If money is tight, and you are going to have to pay $10, $20 or even $30 per visit, consider asking someone for some help. Would your parents be willing to help?
  Consider asking your therapist if attending therapy bi-weekly would be appropriate. Additionally, some therapists and/or clinics might be willing to work with you on a sliding scale fee if you ask them.
• If you are taking any medications (over the counter AND prescriptions), tell your psychiatric provider about ALL of them. Some medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies can affect the efficacy of psychiatric medicines.
• If you see a therapist and a psychiatric provider, it is best to tell them about each other and sign consent forms so that they communicate about your treatment and what is best for you.
• If this process seems overwhelming or you need further assistance, please contact CAPS and we may be able to help you through it.