Frequently Asked Questions about Let's Talk

Whether you meet with a consultant in person or over a secure video platform, the consultant will listen closely to your concerns, possibly ask questions, and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources. 

First, check the  Let's Talk page for the most up-to-date information about the locations and times for Let's Talk. Come to the office listed and look for an open door or posted instructions.   

Any scheduled cancelations are usually posted on the Let's Talk page or on the CTC Instagram. 

There may be a short wait as the consultant speaks with one or more students who arrived before you. We make every effort to meet with all students who present at Let’s Talk each day, and to see them in the order they arrived.  Sometimes, during particularly busy times of the semester, we are not able to meet with every student.  If you aren’t able to meet with us today, please come to Let’s Talk at another posted day and time, or contact CTC to make an appointment with a counselor.  

Students come in with a variety of concerns; no topic is off limits. Common reasons often include: 

• Are not sure about counseling & wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor.
• Are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like a counselor's perspective.
• Help with a specific problem such as stress, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles.
• Learn how to help a friend

Counselors at CTC provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of regularly scheduled 45-50 minute counseling appointments. Let's Talk is not counseling; it is a drop-in service where students can have an informal conversation with a counselor.

Let's Talk is an informal service that provides consultation and support in locations outside CTC. The Triage appointment is a brief phone consultation to assess symptoms, distress & needs, and provide recommendations for counseling services. Triage is the first step toward linking students with ongoing counseling services. The process includes completing paperwork.

Urgent Care occurs in the CTC office and is a service for students in crisis. Some examples of a crisis may include serious concerns about their own safety or the safety of others, serious mental health symptoms, or recent traumatic experiences. If a student presents to Let's Talk in crisis, the consultant will assist the student in connecting with our Urgent Care services or accessing other emergency treatment.  

Let's Talk is open to all UWL graduate and undergraduate students currently enrolled in classes. Let's Talk is the best fit for the students who: 

• are not sure about counseling and wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor.
• are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor.
• have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through.
• have a concern about a friend and want some ideas about what to do.

Absolutely. The consultant will help you talk through your issues and help you determine the best way to get help. If you feel comfortable calling CTC, these would also be concerns you could bring to a counselor at a Triage appointment. 

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

Let's Talk is not a substitute for regular counseling. We would recommend following up with a referral or messaging the counselor you met with for additional questions. 

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact your counselor or CTC directly to see if you can be seen sooner. 

The best thing to do in your situation is to talk directly with your counselor. Counselors are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Often, an open conversation about a concern helps smooth out any wrinkles and helps get things back on track. 

Although Let's Talk consultants are professionals, it is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and doesn't constitute mental health treatment. Let's Talk consultants 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 consultant can help you determine whether formal counseling at CTC would be useful to you and, if appropriate, assist you in getting connected at CTC. 

Conversations with Let's Talk consultants are confidential, with a few rare exceptions. Counselors may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of serious harm to self or others.  Let's Talk consultants keep brief written notes of their contacts with students.  In the event that there is an emergency or a student is referred to CTC, other CTC staff may see these notes. Information is also collected about attendance, so that we can keep track of the students we are serving and those we need to continue serving.  

Students have the option of maintaining their anonymity by not disclosing their name when they are seen by the consultant. We don't want anything to be a barrier to students accessing help. If you have further questions about confidentiality or any other aspect of Let’s Talk, we encourage you to discuss them with a Let's Talk consultant. If you would like to learn more about CT's confidentiality policy please view the About Us page.