Options for Care Outside of CAPS

It is important to choose a provider who is licensed to provide therapy or medication. Licensed providers agree to abide by a professional code of ethics, are overseen by a practice board, and must meet specific levels of education and testing to maintain their licenses.

Providers with the following types of titles/licenses are able to provide individual therapy:

• Psychologist (PhD, PsyD)
• Clinical Social Workers (MSW, LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCC)

Only Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are able to prescribe medication. Most therapists can refer you for medication evaluation and management when indicated. Some Psychiatrists provide both therapy and medication management.

• Psychiatrists (MD)- these providers are able to prescribe medication
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)- these providers are able to prescribe medication

The Stanford Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences provides services outside of  CAPS and Vaden Health Services. Go to this page for information on how to connect. You can self-refer.

If you are currently seeing a CAPS therapist, they can make the referral for you to the specific clinic you need.

• Gronowski Center- multiple specialties for affirmative gender identity care, LGBTQ+ specialty, trauma treatment, spanish-speaking services, and mind-body oriented treatment 
  • Clinics
  • Fee Schedule
• Family and Children’s Services
• Kara (Grief Support Services)
• Community Health Awareness Council
• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective (sliding scale $30 - $50 for individual counseling, $30 - $80 for couples and family counseling)
• Healing for Activists (low-fee or free therapy for activists and community)

Undergraduate Students:

• If you are currently enrolled and registered for classes, fill out the “medical/dental expense form” for assistance from the Financial Aid Office and meet with a Financial Aid Advisor. 
• If you are low income or first generation, and are not registered in classes, or if you are enrolled in classes but Financial Aid options you received were not sufficient to cover medical expenses, you can apply for funds through the FLI Office (First gen and/or low income- FLI). Fill out the Opportunity Fund application and meet with a FLI advisor.
• If neither of these options are sufficient, you may also work with your Residence Director to see if you are eligible for further assistance through the Dean of Students office.
• LGBTQ+ students- In addition to the above resources, the QT fund is a grant program offered regularly through Queer Student Resources and Weiland- you can apply when the application cycles are open, for additional support of any kind, including mental health costs.

Graduate Students:

• There may be general financial support available through graduate departments to assist you in getting health insurance, Summer Access Fee, or other medical coverage expenses. You can meet with your department, or, if you want more support and information first, meet with a Graduate Life Office (GLO) Dean. GLO Deans are happy to support Graduate students. 
• If your department is unable to provide sufficient assistance with your medical expenses, you can apply for Emergency Grant in Aid. Graduate Life Office (GLO) Deans can assist with this application. There is also a “Graduate Student Aid Fund” available through the Financial Aid Office.
• FLI office (first Gen and/or Low income- FLI) is for Graduate students too- connect with them to learn more- they can assist FLI Grad students with Grant in Aid and other programs.
• LGBTQ+ students- In addition to the above resources, the QT fund is a grant program offered regularly through Queer Student Resources and Weiland- you can apply when the application cycles are open, for additional support of any kind, including mental health costs.

Many of the web platforms in the search tools tab, allow you to email a therapist privately from the site to arrange a call or set up an appointment. 

However, you may still need to use the phone to connect with the therapist to confirm they meet your requirements (insurance they accept, specialties they work with, experience with issues you want to address, etc) and some therapists decline to use email for confidentiality or other reasons.

If you use the phone for contact, know that most mental health clinicians do not have an administrative staff answering phones, so you may need to leave a voicemail and be prepared to answer a return call.

It is best to select a minimum of 3-5 providers, and reach out to all of them in one sitting, as it is common for practices to be full or holding a wait list- the more providers you contact, the better chance to link with a therapist and an appointment time that works for you!

How-To Guide: Connecting with Therapists/Psychiatrists over the phone or email

For any phone call, expect to get confidential voicemail and to leave a voicemail. In your first communication with a provider, provide this information on the voicemail, or in the email message:

• Your name 
• Your identity as a Stanford student
• If you received their name from someone, tell them who referred you (eg: Stanford CAPS or the name of your CAPS therapist)
• If you plan to use insurance, share your insurance name (eg: Cardinal Care student health insurance through Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, United, etc.) and ask if they are currently accepting new clients with your insurance plan. 
• Your preference for follow up (you can give both options for phone and email, but let them know if one is best- phone or email)
• Your phone number and what times/days are best to contact you directly. Let them know it is okay for them to leave a voicemail on your phone. 
• Your email address and that it is OK for them to contact you and on email if they are willing to use email. (some therapists and MDs will not use email)
• Request that they contact you to let you know either way, if they have an opening or if they are full.

Checklist:

• Make sure that your phone has voicemail set up and the voicemail box is not full. 
• Answer calls that come in, even if they are “unknown” number, to avoid missing the call-backs from therapists
• Check your spam or “other” box in your email to prevent missing responses or reach-outs from therapists via email
• Don’t hesitate to send a follow up message or call if you do not hear back in 48 hours.

How to interview and choose: 

You may find it helpful to spend a couple of minutes on the phone with several clinicians to get a sense of who you feel a connection with. 

You may also choose to meet with a couple of different clinicians, then decide who you feel most comfortable with. It is okay to talk with or meet with a couple of different people, then make a decision about whom you would like to continue with. You are welcome to tell the providers you are doing this. 

For example, “I am talking with a couple of therapists to get a feel for who might be the best fit for me. I’d like to talk with you for a couple of minutes about how we might work together. If this feels like the best fit, could I call you back  or email you to schedule an appointment?” 

If you talk with or meet with a couple of therapists, you may find it helpful to ask about the following when you are trying to get a sense of who might be a good fit: 

• Tell them a little about how you are feeling and what you are struggling with. Ask how they might help someone with your concerns. What experience do they have helping someone with the types of problems you are experiencing? 
• Could they describe their approach to treatment? 
• What are their specialties? 
• What hours are they available to see you?
• Any other questions you have for them

If you will be away from campus for summer break, a leave of absence, study abroad, or other reasons, get a head start in connecting to mental health services while you are away. 

In the US:

Urgent Mental Health Needs In the United States

For urgent medical or mental health crises while you are in the U.S., call 9.1.1 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

Non-urgent care in the US for students

Support outside of the US when students are in a Stanford-Affiliated Program:

URGENT Support: 

International SOS (ISOS) is available for any and all crisis needs abroad for students in Stanford affiliated programs. ISOS also can find hospitals and mental health resources such as psychiatrists, in the location if the location has any resources. The number is 1-215-942-8342. 

Non -Urgent Support: 

If student is an undergraduate and in the BOSP (Bing Overseas Study Program) they may have access to free local mental health care via the program. Students are requested by BOSP to disclose any and all health needs, including mental health needs, prior to travel, so BOSP can assist them with resources. If the student is open to it, they can sign an ROI and you can also consult with BOSP staff about recommendations. 

If the student is a graduate doing field work or is a grad or undergrad doing another Stanford-affiliated program not associated with BOSP, it is also important they communicate with the program about medical needs ahead of time, to access resources that may be available and get support for these via their department. 

International care and Cardinal Care (applicable to all students currently enrolled in Cardinal Care) 

For students enrolled in the Stanford student health care plan, Cardinal Care, Cardinal Care Aetna has a travel assistance program called International On Call Travel Assistance Services. 

The On Call Travel Assistance Services number is on the Cardinal Care Aetna card, and listed below: 
Toll free from US: 1-866-525-1956 
International: 00-1-603-328-1956 

On Call Travel Assistance Services can help a student find a psychiatrist in the location. The provider may require payment up front. A student can submit claims for covered incurred costs to Aetna and be reimbursed at Tier 2 benefit level. More information can be found about Tier 2 Benefits in Student Health Matters. 

To file for reimbursement with Cardinal Care/Aetna of covered, incurred costs outside the US: 

Use this link for reference, and for electronic claim filing options. 

You may also mail claims to the address on the back of the Cardinal Care /Aetna ID card: 
Submit Claims to: 
Aetna Life Insurance Company 
P O BOX 981106 
EL PASO TX 79998