"Let's Talk" is a program that provides easy access to informal confidential consultations with counselors from Gannett Health Services.  Counselors hold walk-in hours at 9 sites around campus Monday through Friday.  There is no appointment or fee 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 weekly or 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 from time to time.

This service is open to all Cornell undergraduate and graduate students. "Let's Talk" is the best fit for the following people:

1. students who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor;
2. students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
3. students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through;
4. students 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 feel comfortable with the counselor, it's sometimes possible to meet with him or her at CAPS in an ongoing way.

Yes. The counselor will help you with your immediate concerns and assist you with referrals should you need ongoing support.

Certainly. All sites are open to all students.

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 regular counseling visits are not available at "Let's Talk," following up with the referral is a good idea. Unfortunately, CAPS cannot 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 pyschotherapy 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.

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 CAPS 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.