Let's Talk

Available Monday - Friday | 2-4 pm | Student Union 216
What is Let’s Talk?
- A drop-in service that offers confidential consultation with an MTSU Counseling Services
counselor
- Informal (not intended to be a substitute for traditional counseling)
- Speaking with a counselor can help provide support, insight, and information about
resources
- Visits last about 30 minutes, are on a first-come, first-served basis, and are held
in the Student Union in room 216
FAQs
Who should visit Let's Talk?
This service is open to all MTSU undergraduate and graduate students. Let's Talk is
the best fit for:
- students who have never been in counseling before, are not sure if it’s right for
them, and wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor
- students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective
of a counselor
- students who have a specific problem and would like to talk it through with someone
- students who are interested in learning more about what campus resources are available
to them and how to access them
- students who have a concern about a friend and want some thoughts about what to do
Who shouldn't visit Let's Talk?
- students who already know they want regular counseling
- students seeking specialized services, such as psychiatry
- students who are already receiving counseling with an MTSU counselor or have a provider
in the community
What happens at a visit to Let's Talk?
Let's Talk visits are typically 20-25 minutes, and are offered on a first-come, first-served
basis. Sometimes there is a wait, and occasionally when it’s very busy, the counselor
might not have enough time to see everyone. However, there are Let’s Talk hours every
day, Monday through Friday, during the semester, so you can try again the next day.
During your session, the counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide
support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.
How is Let's Talk different from counseling?
Counseling consists of scheduled weekly appointments. Weekly sessions focus on an
agreed upon treatment goal established between the counselor and student at the initial
meeting. In contrast, Let's Talk is not formal counseling and is not intended to be
a substitute for mental health treatment. Rather, it is a convenient drop-in service
where students can have an informal conversation with a counselor.
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 Let's Talk counselor will talk through your issue with you and help
you determine the best way to get help.
I had a screening appointment at Counseling Service and the screening counselor 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. Unfortunately, Counseling Services is not able to provide
longer term or more specialized counseling.
What else do I need to know?
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 Counseling Services
would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment.
Let's Talk visits are confidential. Are there any limits to confidentiality?
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 their
own behalf is being abused.
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.
*The "Let's Talk" program is modeled on the "Let's Talk" program at Cornell University.
Some of the material on their website has been duplicated here with permission. Special
thanks to Cornell University CAPS, for sharing their expertise and experience.