Let’s Talk Drop-In Consultation

Let’s Talk is a program that provides easy access to informal consultations with counselors from the SPU Student Counseling Center. It is not necessary to schedule an appointment, and there is no fee.

This service is open to current undergraduate SPU students. Let’s Talk is the best fit for the following people:

• 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 with an immediate or urgent concern.
• Students who already know they want regular counseling.
• Students who don’t want to wait for their next appointment at SCC (these students should contact SCC instead to seek an earlier time).
• Students seeking specialized services, such as psychiatry.

Let’s Talk visits are typically 15–20 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. During your consultation, the counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

Students who access counseling through SCC schedule appointments to meet with a counselor, and sometimes participate in ongoing counseling through scheduled weekly or bi-weekly appointments.

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 consultation with a counselor.

Absolutely. The Let’s Talk 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 is sometimes possible to meet with them at the SCC 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 SCC directly (206-281-2657, press 0) and explain your situation.

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

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it’s best to contact the SCC (206-281-2657, press 0) to see if they 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, please contact our front desk to discuss your options.

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 the SCC would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you with getting connected to more formal counseling.

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. Let’s Talk 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. 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 the SCC, other SCC 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.