Let's TalkDrop-In Support Service

When & Where
1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
In The Counseling Hub, JSU Room 105
(near the Center for Inclusive Excellence)
Let's Talk is only offered on days that classes are in session.

Let's Talk is a free and confidential service meant to provide students with immediate support on an as needed basis. Students are able to meet with a Mental Health Therapist from the Counseling Center for individual or conjoint consultations. Appointments are first-come, first-served and usually last 15 minutes each. The Mental Health Therapist will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources. 

Let's Talk does not replace counseling:
Let's Talk is not a replacement for ongoing counseling or for students experiencing a life-threatening crisis. Let's Talk is a drop-in service where students can have an informal consultation with a Mental Health Therapist from the Counseling Center.

Let's Talk is a good fit for:
Students who have questions about counseling and what it's like to be in counseling.
Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a Mental Health Therapist.
Students who have a specific problem and would like to review options for that problem.
Students who have a concern about a friend and want ideas about how to help that friend.

Some reasons to stop by:
Stress—academic problems—anxiety—relationships—adjustment to new culture—family problems—depression—financial difficulties—other concerns.

Let's Talk Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Let’s Talk”?
“Let’s Talk” is a program that provides easy access to informal confidential consultations with Mental Health Therapists from the Counseling Center. Therapists hold drop-in hours from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, weekdays that classes are in session. No appointment necessary.

What happens at a visit to “Let’s Talk”?
First-come, first-served — usually there is not much of a wait. The therapist will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

How is “Let’s Talk” different from counseling appointments at the Counseling Center?
Mental Health Therapists at the Counseling Center provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of 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 therapist from time to time.

How do I decide between attending "Let's Talk" or scheduling an appointment through the Counseling Center?
Although staff who host Let’s Talk are mental health professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let’s Talk therapists provide informal consultations to help students with specific problems and to introduce them to what it’s like to speak with a therapist. Your Let’s Talk therapist can help you determine whether formal counseling at the Counseling Center would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment.

I think I have a problem that would benefit from counseling, but I don’t know anything about counseling. Would going to “Let’s Talk” help me figure out what to do?
Absolutely. The therapist will talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way to get help. If you feel comfortable with the therapist you saw during your Let's Talk session, it’s sometimes possible to meet with them at the Counseling Center in an ongoing way.

I called the Counseling Center and scheduled an appointment for next week. Can I stop by “Let’s Talk” in the meantime?
If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it’s best to call the Counseling Center directly and explain your situation.

A counselor at the Counseling Center recommended a referral to a therapist in the community. Can I go to “Let’s Talk” instead?
Since regular counseling visits are not available at “Let’s Talk”, following up with the referral is a good idea.
 
I am currently seeing a therapist at the Counseling Center, and I would like to talk to someone sooner than my next appointment. Can I go to “Let’s Talk”?
If your next appointment is not soon enough you are welcome to stop in for Let's Talk. You could also consider reaching out to your therapist and let them know that you are needing to be seen sooner than your next appointment.

I’m currently seeing a therapist at the Counseling Center, and I’m not happy with how things are going. Can I go to “Let’s Talk” instead?
The best thing to do in this situation is to talk directly with your therapist. Therapists are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Often, an open conversation about your concern helps smooth out any wrinkles. If, after talking with your therapist, you prefer to transfer to someone else, just ask your therapist directly or contact the front desk at the Counseling Center to schedule with another therapist.

Are "Let’s Talk" visits confidential? Are there any limits to confidentiality?
Conversations with Let’s Talk therapists are confidential, with a few very rare exceptions. Therapists may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others. Therapists 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 therapists keep brief written notes of their contacts with students, and in the event that there is an emergency or a student is referred to the Counseling Center, other Counseling Center 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 college 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 therapist or contact the Counseling Center directly.

The Let‘s Talk program at Gustavus Adolphus College is based on the Let’s Talk program at Cornell University that has been adopted by hundreds of colleges nation-wide. With permission, some of the material describing this program has been duplicated from the St. Thomas University Let’s Talk website.