Let's Talk Program

Let’s Talk is a program that provides easy access to informal confidential consultations with counselors from Student Counseling at UMN Morris. Counselors hold walk-in hours; no appointment is necessary.

Walk-in appointments are first-come, first-served. The counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

Counselors at the Counseling Center provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of 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 UMN Morris students. “Let’s Talk” is the best fit for the following people:

• students who are not sure about counseling 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 someone with whom to talk it through
• 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 the Counseling Center in an ongoing way.

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.

Since regular counseling visits are not available at “Let’s Talk”, following up with the referral is recommended.

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. Often, 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 or contact the Student Counseling office to schedule with another counselor.

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 UMN Morris Student Counseling 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 UMN Morris Student Counseling, other Student Counseling staff may see these notes. Finally, these notes can be released in the unlikely event of a court order.

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 or contact UMN Morris Student Counseling.