Let's Talk

Let's Talk is a pilot service that provides easy access to informal confidential consultations with counselors from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). A counselor holds walk-in hours SCSU’s library Room 135G, on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. There is no appointment necessary.

Appointments are first-come, first-served. Usually there is not much of a wait. The counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

Counselors at CAPS provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of group participation or weekly to bi-weekly 45-50 minute appointments. Let's Talk is not formal counseling -- it is a drop in service where students can have an informal consultation with a counselor, typically just on a one time basis.

This service is open to all SCSU undergraduate and graduate students. Let's Talk is the best fit for the following types of students:

1. Those who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor;
2. Those who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
3. Those who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through and problem solve;
4. Those who have a concern about a friend and want some thoughts about what to do.

Absolutely. The counselor will talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way to get help.

If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it's best to call CAPS directly and explain your situation.

Since Let's Talk is an informal consultation, following up with the referral is probably the best idea. Unfortunately, CAPS cannot always provide ongoing counseling to every student who requests it.

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it's best to contact your counselor directly to see if he or she can see you sooner.

The best thing to do in this situation is to talk directly with your counselor. Counselors are eager to get
your feedback, positive or negative. Oftentimes an open conversation about your concern helps smooth
out any wrinkles. If, after talking with your counselor, you prefer to transfer to someone else, just ask
your counselor directly, either in person or by e-mail.

Although Let's Talk counselors are professionals, Let's Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or
formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let's Talk counselors provide
informal consultations to help students with specific problems and to introduce them to what it's like to
speak with a counselor. Your Let's Talk counselor can help you determine whether formal counseling at
CAPS would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment, often for
group counseling as that is commonly the best treatment approach. Your Let’s Talk counselor will also
talk with you about various supportive resources across campus, including peer support, the graduate
counseling clinic, relaxation rooms and more.

Conversations with Let's Talk counselors are confidential, with a few very rare exceptions. Counselors
may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or
others. Counselors are required by law to report when a minor, elderly person, or someone otherwise
incapacitated and unable to act on his/her own behalf is being abused. Let's Talk counselors keep brief
written notes of their contacts with students, and in the event that there is an emergency or a student is
referred to CAPS, other counseling staff may see these notes. Finally, these notes can be released in the
unlikely event of a court order. Let's Talk visits are never noted on a student's official university record.

We don't want anything to be a barrier to students accessing help. If you have further questions about
confidentiality, we encourage you to discuss them with a Let's Talk counselor.