A Convo with CIA’s Counseling and Psychological Services Director
Author Annie B. Milostan ’25 is a Baking and Pastry Arts major.
Growing up and entering adulthood can be a difficult time. Add moving away from home and starting a new school—it gets hard to navigate. Lucky for us students at the Culinary Institute of America, we have people we can talk to for free to help us navigate these challenging times. I personally had a bad experience with therapy and counseling when I was younger, so I’ve always strayed away from seeking help. However, when going to meet and interview the director of CAPS, Christiane Mueller, LCSW, it changed my perspective on these services.
When walking into the office there’s a complete change in atmosphere—it’s calm and soothing and there’s a room where students can just sit and take a breath from stress. There are four therapists available for students to make appointments with. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Christiane. Within just minutes meeting with her it was very eye opening for me and it’s a service I wish I would’ve taken advantage of during my time here! Here’s some more information about CAPS:
What does CAPS stand for?
CAPS stands for Counseling and Psychological Services.
What is the main purpose of CAPS?
Our mission is to support students by offering a warm and welcoming space where they can explore the many personal and emotional challenges that often come up during college life. We offer confidential counseling to a diverse student body to help them reach their academic goals and succeed in life. We promote student well-being through individual support, treatment, and education.
What makes CAPS unique to CIA?
We truly understand how exciting—and at times overwhelming—this field and program can be. Our team has been working in college counseling, and specifically at CIA, for many years. As therapists, we recognize that the hospitality industry brings its own set of pressures and demands, and that insight sets us apart from outside providers.
What kinds of resources and support does CAPS offer?
CAPS offers short-term, solution-focused, skill-building counseling for our associate and bachelor’s students who reside in New York State. Our services include individual therapy, supportive counseling, mental health groups, outreach programming, and coordination with off-campus providers. We also offer consultation and education to faculty, staff, and administration to help create a supportive campus environment.
CAPS is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS), which holds us to the highest professional standards in college counseling.
How can students make an appointment or connect with CAPS?
It’s easy to reach us. You can call us at 845-905-4241, email [email protected], or visit our office in Room 218 of the Student Commons. We encourage students to wait until they have their class schedules before making appointments—class attendance is important, and we don’t provide absence notes or communicate with professors since our services are confidential.
How does CAPS collaborate with other campus departments to support students holistically?
While our services are confidential, we empower students by sharing information about other on-campus resources that can support their overall well-being and success—whether it’s tutoring, financial aid, health services, or safety resources. We also stay in close contact with a wide range of off-campus providers across New York State, including therapists, psychiatrists, holistic care practitioners, and nonprofits. These relationships help us maintain an extensive referral list tailored to student needs.
Through our IACS accreditation, we connect with other college counseling centers across the country and internationally. We’re also part of the Hudson Valley College Consortium, which includes over 25 regional colleges and universities—giving us access to a wealth of shared knowledge, resources, and best practices that benefit our students here at CIA.
Do you collect student feedback, and how is it used?
Absolutely. Each semester, we invite students to fill out an anonymous Client Satisfaction Survey. This gives them a safe way to share honest feedback about their experience with CAPS. We truly value their voices—this feedback helps us adapt and grow our services to better meet their needs.
What does CAPS do to foster a welcoming and inclusive space for all students?
We’re deeply committed to creating an inclusive, affirming, and accessible environment where every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Our approach to care is culturally responsive and respectful of the many identities and experiences within our campus community. We continuously educate ourselves and advocate for students so that every individual has equitable access to the resources they need to thrive.
Is CAPS doing anything special for Mental Health Awareness Month?
Yes, we’re hosting a series of Mental Health Groups with topics like “Adjusting to CIA,” “Change Your Habits, Change Your Life,” “Thrive Together” (for adult learners), and “Situationships”—a fun and real conversation about navigating relationships. Each group is hosted by one of our four therapists and takes place during lunch (12:15–1 p.m.) in the CAPS office.
Also, be sure to stop by our Mental Health Awareness Table Monday, May 12 in the Student Commons!
Every Student’s Journey is Unique—and So is Our Support
No matter what challenges or questions you’re facing, there’s a resource (and a real person!) ready to help.