Individual Counseling

Liberty University Counseling & Psychological Services (LU CAPS) employees/interns are entrusted with maintaining the confidentiality of those students seeking services at LU CAPS. LU CAPS is responsible for the confidentiality of student counseling and educational records. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the counseling and educational record of each student is considered confidential. LU CAPS is responsible for declaring, implementing, and enforcing policies regarding the access to counseling and educational records.

For more information about confidentiality, please review our Confidentiality Policy.

We require students to call 434-582-2651 or respond to the automatic appointment reminder text to cancel or reschedule their appointment at least 24 hours in advance of their scheduled appointment time. This is due to high volume of students requesting counseling and out of consideration for other students who desire counseling services. In the event that a student is more than 15 minutes late for their scheduled appointment, the session will be cancelled. Rescheduling sessions during the same week of a missed session is not guaranteed.

We understand that things come up and students may have to cancel; however, if students do not show for their appointment or do not cancel within 24 hours twice within an academic semester, the student will not be scheduled for any additional appointments that semester. The student may request referral information and may participate in workshops or available groups. The student may be eligible for counseling services the next academic semester in which they are enrolled.

All records pertaining to a student’s mental health treatment and/or services at Liberty University’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) are considered part of the student’s clinical record and are confidential. In keeping with HIPAA guidelines, records are maintained for 7 years past the last date on which the last service was provided. CAPS is not authorized to disclose any information to anyone outside of the Counseling Center without the client's written consent, except as mandated or allowed under Virginia law.

If a situation arises where CAPS is required to make an exception to a student’s confidentiality (for exceptions, refer to our Mental Health Policies Guideline here), CAPS will discuss the circumstances and relevant protocols with the client.

To Request Client Records:

In order to obtain clinical records, the client will need to fully complete a Request for Records form:

Records Request Form

Use of the form is required to ensure we are meeting the standards of practice and law regarding your confidential information. A copy is also available from our administrative staff. Please note, signed release forms must be notarized or witnessed and submitted via regular mail to the Counseling Center with an original signature if you are unable to complete the form in person.

To Submit the Request for Records Form:

Students must submit the Request for Records Form in one of three ways:

1. In person at Liberty University’s Counseling & Psychological Services during normal business hours

2. Via fax to 434-592-3904

3. Via mail addressed to

          Liberty University Counseling & Psychological Services
          1971 University Blvd, GH 1830
          Lynchburg, VA 24515

Please note that all signatures on the form must be handwritten or electronically signed.

After submitting a request, a counselor may call to verify the request and/or consult about the purpose of the release of records. Requests will be fulfilled in accordance with the law which provides for the timely and appropriate response. In order to ensure proper handling of records, responses may take up to 15 days and will not be provided on demand. Please ensure your contact information is accurate, as a delay in verification may postpone the release of records. Responses to requests for information contained in a confidential record will be delivered in person, via fax or via USPS Certified Mail due to our inability to ensure the security of email.

For more information on the Law on Patient Health Records see the Code of Virginia § 32.1-127.1:03 - Health records privacy.