Florida Atlantic: A Welcoming Space for Mental Health

Colleges and universities nationwide are facing a mental health crisis. According to a recent U.S. News/Generation Lab report, 70% of students have struggled with mental health since starting college. At Florida Atlantic University, the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Center provides students with mental health services to help improve and maintain their mental well-being. The CAPS Center saw more than 2,100 students for a total of 11,107 appointments during the 2023-24 academic year. During the 2024 fall semester alone, it hosted 19 therapy groups, serving 116 students.

To accommodate students’ needs and provide a more inviting space, the University recently renovated the CAPS Center at the Boca Raton campus.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do,” said then- Interim FAU President Stacy Volnick. “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.”

The renovation brought numerous enhancements to the center, including nine additional therapy offices; two rooms dedicated to teletherapy; a private waiting room; and a spa-like relaxation room, complete with virtual reality headsets, areas for meditation and yoga, and four state-of-the-art massage chairs. Since it opened in October, the relaxation space has welcomed more than 300 students in nearly 700 visits.

The center also integrated advanced technology into group therapy rooms, which expanded its clinical capacity, improved accessibility for students using telehealth services, and enhanced privacy to ensure students feel cared for and supported.

“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.”