Let’s Talk offers students free, easy access to talk individually with professional counselors from the University Counseling Center. While no appointment is necessary, students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Let’s Talk visits are typically 20-25 minutes and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. During your meeting, the counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, problem solving, and suggestions for resources.

Counselors provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of bi-monthly 45-50 minute appointments. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling; it is a drop-in service where students can meet with a counselor for about 20-25 minutes and get the help they are seeking in just one or two visits.

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

Because regular counseling visits are not available at Let’s Talk, following up with the referral is a good idea. Unfortunately, the University Counseling Center cannot always provide ongoing counseling to every student who requests it.

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact the UCC directly (616-331-3266) to see if they can see you sooner.

No. Let’s Talk is not a crisis service and should not be utilized as one. In the event you or a friend is in immediate crisis or danger, please contact GVPD at (616) 331-3255 or got to your local emergency room. The Ottawa County 24-hour Helpline is 1-866-512-4357, the Kent County 24-hour Access Line is (616) 336-3909, and the national mental health crisis line is 988.

The best thing to do in this situation is to express your concerns directly to your counselor. Counselors are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Often times an open conversation about your concerns can resolve any issues.

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 meet briefly with students to help them with specific problems and to introduce them to what it’s like to speak with a counselor. Your Let’s Talk counselor consultant can help you determine whether formal counseling would be useful to you and, if appropriate, connect you with the UCC.

Conversations with Let’s Talk counselors are private and confidential, with a few exceptions. Counselors may need to share information in an emergency, such as when there is an immediate threat of harm to yourself or others. Counselors are also required by law to report when a minor or vulnerable adults is being abuse. 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. Remember that Let’s Talk is not to be substituted for therapy or crisis counseling. Let’s Talk visits are conversations and no record of your visit will be documented in any university or health record except in these rare emergency situations.