Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS is closed between 6/15/26-8/15/26.
CAPS is currently closed for student appointments. Our offices are fully closed from June 15 through August 15.
Crisis Help Resources
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – DIAL “988” OR 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
National Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741Maine Crisis Hotline: 1-888-568-1112
Text Support for BIPOC students: Text “STEVE” to 741741
Text Support for LGBTQ students: Text “START” to 678-678
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) works to support the holistic development and psychological health of Bates students. CAPS is committed to provide equitable access and services to all Bates students supporting their personal and educational needs.
Care at CAPS

CAPS is located at 31 Frye Street and open weekdays 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed between 12pm – 1pm for lunch. This is a new location for CAPS and our entrance is the front door of the house.
The Bates radio station, WRBC, is located in the basement of 31 Frye. The entrance for WRBC is located at the back of the building and is fully separate from CAPS.
CAPS services are free and confidential for enrolled students during the academic year. We provide timely appointments, many of these being same-day appointments, to maximize accessibility and address each student’s primary concerns. CAPS offers short-term individual, group and psychiatric services, and referrals when needed.
Getting Started
We see the vast majority of students within a day or two depending on your availability.
If you call or email us to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment, we recommend you check your calendar first. That way, you can identify two or three times and days that work for your schedule.
When you reach out, it sounds like: “I’m calling/writing to set up an initial appointment. I can meet Thursday at 2 pm or Friday at 9 am this week and Tuesday at 1 pm next week. Thanks!”
You and the counselor you meet with will discuss a treatment plan that best meets your needs within the available resources at Bates or utilizes resources outside of Bates.
Frequency and scheduling of sessions will be a collaborative and flexible agreement between you and your counselor.
For frequently asked questions about our services, click here.
| Service | Description |
| Same Day Access | Daily same-day appointments with CAPS staff, both in person and via telehealth. Email CAPS |
| Short Term Counseling | Short term counseling with on-campus providers, both in person and via telehealth. Email CAPS |
| Groups | Therapy groups for students to connect with, learn from each other, and reduce feeling alone. On Campus. Email CAPS |
| Crisis Counseling | 24 hours a day counselor-on-call via Protocall, available to students on campus. Call Crisis Counselor |
| Crisis Support | If you are concerned about a student’s immediate safety or well being. Campus Safety On Campus: 207-786-6111 Local municipal resources Off Campus: 911 |
| Tailored Referrals | Our Case Manager/Clinician will help you connect to community providers for counseling or psychiatric services. Email CAPS about finding a community provider. |
Social Justice Statement
The staff of Bates College Counseling & Psychological Services is committed to social justice and examining the impact of systemic and historical issues of power, privilege, and access to resources at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels. We are dedicated to the active process of critical thinking and rigorous self-reflection to ensure that all students are treated fairly and competently as well as to compensate for obstacles and unequal treatment that can be set in place by individuals, institutions, and society.
Accessibility Statement
Bates College CAPS is committed to creating an environment that meets the needs of all who wish to participate. If you have a disability and anticipate a barrier to your ability to utilize our services, please email Allison K. Brown, Associate Director to discuss possible accommodations.
If you are concerned about a student’s safety or well-being when CAPS is closed, please call Campus Safety at extension 6111 or (207) 786-6254.
If you or the student are off campus, please call 911.
Call 988 for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Faculty and Staff can go here to access a guide for working with students in distress.