Let's Talk 

Let's Talk is a drop-in service that provides informal, confidential consultation with a counselor from Counseling Services. We listen to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources. 

There is no appointment or fee necessary. 

Let's Talk conversations are... 

  • FREE for Sterling students
  • Offered on a first-come, first-served-no appointment necessary
  • Typically about 20-25 minutes in length
  • Informal, and not a substitute for counseling 

"Let's Talk" Schedule 

Let's Talk consultations are available on the days and times listed below: 
In Person: Mondays and Tuesdays 12:30pm - 2pm

David Miller 
Kelsey Hall 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is a program that provides easy access to informal confidential consultation with a counselor from Student Counseling Services. Counselors hold walk-in hours on campus during the week. There is no appointment or fee necessary.
 
• What happens at a Let’s Talk visit?
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.
 
• How is Let’s Talk different from Sterling College's Counseling Services?
Counselors at Sterling provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of 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.
 
• Who should visit Let's Talk?
This service is open to all residential Sterling undergraduate and graduate 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.
 
• I think I have a problem that would benefit from counseling, but I don’t know anything about counseling. Would going to Let’s Talk help me figure out 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 Student Counseling Services in an ongoing way.
 
• I called Sterling College’s Counseling Services and spoke with a counselor. She offered me an appointment 10 business days from now. Can I stop by Let’s Talk in the meantime?
If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it’s best to call Counseling Services directly and explain your situation.
 
• I’m currently seeing a counselor at Sterling College’s Counseling Services, and I would like to talk to someone sooner than my next appointment. Can I go to Let’s Talk?
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.
 
• What else do I need to know?
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 would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment.
 
• Let’s Talk visits are confidential. Are there any limits to confidentiality?
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 Sterling College’s Counseling Services, other Counseling Services 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.