Counseling and Psychological Services

Our Pledge of Support

CAPS would like to express our pledge of support to our students, to the campus community and to the community as a whole as actions of hatred and threats of violence continue to occur in the world around us. CAPS stands by all communities who are targets for oppression, aggression, microaggressions and discrimination. We know that it is essential to come together as a community to promote civil discourse and respect, and take responsibility for promoting an environment of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

When our community is shaken by tragic or abhorrent events on campus or beyond, the CAPS staff wants to acknowledge the impact of these events on the students we serve, and the faculty and staff with whom we work. As believers in every human being’s potential for healing and growth, we hold firm the values of inclusion, multicultural diversity, multicultural humility, and social justice. We believe in empowering all people, including those who are marginalized and oppressed, to act together peacefully, to challenge injustice, to condemn discrimination, and to promote a common humanity of equitable treatment and social cooperation.

We strive to foster a community of safety, openness, acceptance, and understanding. All of us, including the CAPS staff, are uniquely affected and respond to controversial and discriminatory acts differently, with an array of complex emotions and viewpoints. We applaud the tireless efforts of campus organizations, student groups, and committed individuals who provide spaces for discussion of all forms of inequality at our University and in our world.

We join voices in making this pledge to all Pacific students, staff, and faculty: Your perspective, values, and experiences are welcomed and will be honored at and by CAPS.

You will be safe. You will be respected. You will be heard.

We invite students to reach out to CAPS as needed for support, and faculty and staff for tailored outreach programs, or for referrals to support in the community. We can be reached by phone at 209.946.2315 x2. On call 24/7 therapeutic support can be accessed by calling 209.946.2315 x3.

Please check out our Race-Related Violence Resources for Support.

Mission and Values

Our mission is to promote student growth and development, with regard to both personal characteristics and interpersonal competencies. We do this in the service of enabling students to benefit from and maximize their educational experience at Pacific.  We also consistently strive to integrate multiculturalism into the everyday functioning and structure of our agency.  Through the broad range of therapeutic services that we offer, persons may come to appreciate the uniqueness of their personalities and discover new ways to develop their potential. We have seen students make personal progress through the therapeutic process and tools. 

Additionally, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) serves a role within the University at large. As the mental health experts on campus, we work in conjunction with our colleagues in the Division of Student Life toward the promotion of a healthy university environment for all those who learn and work here. We accomplish this part of the mission by providing professional outreach and educational services and by fostering collaborative relationships across the university.