(From Left): Larry Faerman, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs; Laura DiPasquale, Ph.D., director of CAPS; FAU President Stacy Volnick; FAU student government member Alex Mojica (Photo by Alex Dolce)

Florida Atlantic University President Stacy Volnick joined university staff and students for the Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS) Center ’s official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its recently renovated space, including the opening of its relaxation room.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do,” Volnick said. “Supporting our students’ health and safety is a top priority, and these renovated spaces reflect our unwavering commitment to provide a positive campus environment where every student has the resources to thrive.”

During the 2023-24 academic year, the CAPS Center saw more than 2,100 students for a total of 11,107 appointments and nearly 150 students for emergency mental health sessions. During the 2024 fall semester alone, group therapy – a core service provided at CAPS – hosted 19 therapy groups, serving 116 students.

“Beyond functionality, the aesthetic transformation of the center is significant,” said Laura DiPasquale, Ph.D., director of CAPS. “The design is warm and inviting, fostering a therapeutic environment that challenges the misconceptions some students have about therapy. Many come in expecting a cold, clinical atmosphere, feeling apprehensive about discussing personal struggles with a stranger. However, this welcoming space helps alleviate those anxieties, making it easier for students to open up and engage in the meaningful work necessary for success in school and in life.”

The refurbishment of the area was all encompassing throughout the entirety of the CAPS Center. Among the amenities in the newly refurbished relaxation room and its spa-like atmosphere are virtual reality headsets, areas for meditation and yoga, and four state-of-the-art massage chairs. Since its opening in October, more than 300 students have used the relaxation space, for a total of nearly 700 visits.

“The renovation has brought numerous enhancements to our center,” said DiPasquale. “We now have nine additional therapy offices, two rooms dedicated to teletherapy, a private waiting room, and, of course, the much-anticipated relaxation room. We’ve also integrated advanced technology into our group therapy rooms. These upgrades expand our clinical capacity, improve accessibility for students using telehealth services, and enhance privacy, ensuring our students feel supported and cared for.”

The mission of the FAU CAPS Center is to provide FAU students with timely and effective mental health services that allow them to improve and maintain their mental well-being and therefore to meet their educational, personal, emotional and psychological goals.

The services provided by the CAPS Center are available to all FAU students. The offices are in SS-8 above the food court on FAU’s Breezeway, Boca Raton campus.

For more information or to schedule an online appointment, visit here or call 561-297-2277.

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