Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) engages in multiple research projects throughout the year.  CAPS is a University unit whose methods of service delivery are based on psychological science. Staff members function as both practitioners and scientists.  There are two main goals for our research efforts.  First, we conduct programmatic research to evaluate the effectiveness, quality, and utilization of our services and training program.  Second, we engage in empirical research to contribute to the body of psychological knowledge.

CAPS staff members may offer their consultation to other units on campus regarding research and other empirical efforts.  The staff members at CAPS are trained as scientist-practitioners; this means that our staff is skilled at not only providing direct psychological services to students and the University community, but also possess skills to engage and carry-out research projects. 

All research conducted under the auspices of CAPS must be approved by the Research Committee and the Director.  In addition, all published research conducted under the auspices of CAPS must conform to the UCSD Human Research Protections Program regulations, as well as adhere to the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association.

 

Research Committee

The CAPS committee has several purposes (measuring satisfaction, measuring outcome, monitoring quality, advising/approving PCS research) that serve different constituencies (our clients, Registration fee committee, PCS staff, accrediting bodies (i.e., International Association of Counseling Services and American Psychological Association).  We work collaboratively with our staff, committees and other stakeholders (student health, colleges, office of research).  We add to the body of psychological knowledge through publication of research.  We provide accurate and useful information.

Chair:  Jerry Phelps, Ph.D.,

Committee Members: Sam Park, Ph.D., Monique Balestreri, Alison Cerezo, M.A., and Yong Park, M.A.

 

Programmatic Research

CAPS regularly engages in programmatic research to evaluate the effectiveness, quality, and utilization of our services to students.  The information gained from these efforts is important in our mission to meet the needs of UCSD students.  Our most recent project has been surveying students who have utilized CAPS services in their perceptions regarding their counseling experiences.  Using the "Client Experiences Survey" (CES) during the 2002-03 academic year as a measure of their perceptions, we have found students to find our services valuable and would recommend us to a friend.

In our most recent survey to students (2002-03), we asked 262 students to complete the CES.  The following tables illustrate some of our findings:

Research Assistantships Periodically, CAPS and the Research & Evaluation Committee recruit students interested in providing research assistance to our projects.  Research assistantships are typically voluntary, and can provide extensive research experience that can be valuable in preparing one for graduate school. If you are interested in being a Research Assistant at CAPS, please contact Dr. Sam Park. Staff Publications The clinical staff members at CAPS provide not only excellent clinical and consultation services to the UCSD community, but are also productive researchers and writers.  The CAPS staff members possess an impressive list of publications.  To see a list of studies and writings published by our staff, please click here.