Student Health and Wellness

Let's Talk is a program that provides easy access to informal consultations with clinicians from SHaW. It is on a drop-in basis, or you can schedule an appointment online. There is no fee.

This service is open to all UConn undergraduate, graduate, and professional 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 is right for them and wonder what it's like to talk with a clinician.
• Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a clinician.
• 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 therapy.
• Students who don’t want to wait for their next appointment at SHaW (these students should contact SHaW-MH instead to seek an earlier time.)
• Students seeking specialized services, such as psychiatry.

Appointments are first-come, first-served and are about 15-20 minutes. Usually there is not much of a wait. Rarely, a clinician might be full during the Let’s Talk hours.  If this is the case, we encourage you to try again the next day.  The clinician will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

Clinicians at SHaW provide ongoing therapy, which usually consists of weekly or bi-weekly 45-50 minute appointments. Let's Talk is not formal therapy: it is a drop-in service where students can have an informal consultation with a clinician from time to time.

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

If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it's best to call SHaW directly (860-486-4705) and explain your situation.

Since regular counseling visits are not available at Let's Talk following up with the referral is a good idea. If you have any trouble with the referral, contact SHaW for assistance.

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it's best to contact your counselor directly to see if they can see you sooner. If it is an urgent situation or you would like to talk to someone same-day, call SHaW to connect with BeWell@UConn or an on-call clinician.

The best thing to do in this situation is to talk directly with your clinician. Clinicians 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 clinician, you prefer to transfer to someone else, just ask your clinician directly or call SHaW and request a change.

Although Let's Talk clinicians are professionals, Let's Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let's Talk clinicians provide these consultations to help students with specific problems and to introduce them to what it's like to speak with a therapist. Your Let's Talk clinician can help you determine whether formal therapy at SHaW would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment.