Let's Talk
Talking can help.
Whether it is stress, sadness, relationship problems or academic trials, sharing your concern with another person can make a positive difference. Now, just imagine that the person you are talking to has experience in dealing with your issue and may know some solutions. Then talking may really help! And that’s what Let’s Talk is all about.
What is Let’s Talk?
When is Let’s Talk?
Where is Let’s Talk?
How is Let’s Talk different from counseling?
What can I expect when seeking a Let’s Talk consultation?
What happens in a Let’s Talk session?
Who should visit Let’s Talk?
Meet the Let’s Talk Consultant
What is Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is brief consultation that is available to all current graduate and undergraduate students at Notre Dame. It is confidential and completely free. Just walk-in during the times listed because no appointments are necessary! Let’s Talk is a place where you can talk about concerns and receive expert suggestions about solutions and resources or just have someone who listens well and can offer support. No topic is off limits, but common concerns are:
- Stress
- Sadness
- Difficulty adjusting to school
- Academic concerns
- Family problems
- Financial struggles
- Relationship concerns
When?
Every Thursday of the academic year (except university breaks), starting on September 4, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where?
Offices of Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS) and International Student Services and Activities (ISSA) , 2nd Floor LaFortune Student Center
How is Let’s Talk different from counseling?
It is brief consultation (approximately 15 minutes)
- There is no paperwork to complete
- It takes place outside of the University Counseling Center
- No appointment is necessary
- It is free.
What can I expect when seeking a Let’s Talk consultation?
Just approach a receptionist at MSPS or ISSA and say that you would like to see the Let’s Talk consultant. You will sign in with your name, initials, or pseudonym and the receptionist will notify the consultant that you are waiting. If the consultant is with someone else, there will usually be a wait of no more than 15 minutes.
What happens in a Let’s Talk session?
The Let’s Talk consultant will carefully listen to your concern, will mostly likely ask you some brief questions, and will work to understand your goal for coming to Let’s Talk. Once your problem and goal are clear, depending upon your needs, the consultant will offer you suggestions for addressing the concern. You are welcome to return to Let’s Talk at another time, but this decision is up to you.
Who should visit Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is open to all current Notre Dame students. However, Let’s Talk is best suited for the following people:
- Students who are not sure about counseling and are trying to figure out what it is like to talk with a counselor;
- Students who are not interested in on-going counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
- Students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom they could talk;
- Students who have a concern about a friend and would like some perspective on what to do.
Limits to Confidentiality
Conversations with Let’s Talk consultants are confidential, with a few rare exceptions. Consultants may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to yourself or to others. Consultants 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. 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 consultant.
Please remember…
Although Let’s Talk consultants are also mental health professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let’s Talk is for consultation about a specific problem. Most students come to Let’s Talk only once or twice. It is also a place where students are able to have questions answered about formal counseling. Your Let’s Talk consultant can help you determine whether formal counseling would be useful for you.
Meet the Let’s Talk Consultant
Megan Brown, Ph.D., is a licensed counseling psychologist in the state of Indiana and has worked in counseling and consultation for over 10 years. She says that if she had free time, she would travel the world and learn languages. She has lived in Canada, Alaska, Scotland, France, and the People’s Republic of China. But don’t ask her to speak too much French, and her Chinese is limited to market negotiation. However, with little free time (and money), she is content to meet students from around the nation and around the world and help them have happy and meaningful university experiences. Megan’s areas of expertise include adjustment to new life situations, cross-cultural problems, life balance, relationship problems, increasing happiness, and academic success.
The University Counseling Center (UCC) at Notre Dame is deeply indebted to the counselors at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell University who pioneered and modeled Let’s Talk and made it such a successful service at Cornell. Sharon Meir, Psy.D. and Matt Boone, L.C.S.W. of CAPS were generous and inspirational in sharing the concept and name of Let’s Talk with the UCC. Their support and consultation on starting Let’s Talk at Notre Dame was invaluable.
See Also:
Outreach Services
Consultation Services & Programs
Inner Resources Room
