TCNJ CAPS will be providing in-person Let’s Talk this semester. Students can schedule a brief consultation with a counselor.
What is Let’s Talk?
The CAPS Let’s Talk program provides easy access to informal, brief, consultation session with mental health professionals from TCNJ’s Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS). It is free and there is limited paperwork and no full intake assessment to complete to participate.
Speaking with a therapist during Let’s Talk can help you access support, gain perspective, explore resources and options, and discuss how a referral to therapy might be helpful.
Let’s Talk sessions could be used to:
- Learn more about mental health resources, virtual group/workshop options, short term virtual therapy services at CAPS and/or assistance with finding long term services in the community.
- Talk about challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Learn about healthy ways to cope with stress and other concerns.
- Get solution focused, directive and/or coaching support when assessing issues.
- Get emotional support and identify ways to increase social connection during shelter-in-place.
- Create a menu of therapy options to consider, or identify a future plan of action with MHS.
Let’s Talk Consent Form: Please download and complete the Let’s Talk remote consent form HERE
How do you access Let’s Talk? Clinicians hold in-person walk-in hours remotely. This semester (Fall, 2022) it will be held in Roscoe West Hall. There is no appointment or fee necessary but you will need to complete the Let’s Talk Consent Form and then reach out to our front office staff at caps@tcnj.edu to get the information on how to log in to meet the clinician (don’t forget to attach the consent form to the email). A schedule of dates and times can be accessed on the TCNJ Let’s Talk web page.
*DISCLAIMER*
Although Let’s Talk consultations are with mental health professionals, they are not therapy sessions and do not constitute mental health treatment. This format may be more directive and may be similar to coaching and is not indicative or resembles a therapy session.
Let’s Talk is not for urgent concerns.
If you are in crisis or need immediate support (M-F 9:00 am to 4:00 pm), please call CAPS Counseling at (609) 771-2247. If CAPS is closed or it is after hours and you are in crisis, please call Capital Health Mobile Outreach at 609-396-4357. If you need support but are not in crisis, please call 1-855-654-6735 or text START to 741-741.
In-Person Let’s Talk Schedule:
Tuesday’s from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
Location: 202C Roscoe West Hall
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Let’s Talk! Frequently Asked Questions
What is Let’s Talk? Let’s Talk is a very brief informal nonclinical confidential conversations with clinicians from The College of New Jersey’s Counseling and Prevention Services. Although Let’s Talk clinicians are licensed mental health professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment.
How do you access Let’s Talk? Clinicians hold in-person walk-in hours. This semester (Fall, 2022) it will be held in Roscoe West Hall. There is no appointment or fee necessary but you will need to complete the Let’s Talk Consent Form and then reach out to our front office staff at caps@tcnj.edu to get the information on how to log in to meet the clinician (don’t forget to attach the consent form to the email). A schedule of dates and times, can be accessed on the TCNJ Let’s Talk web page.
What happens at a visit to Let’s Talk? Appointments are first-come, first-served. Students are encouraged to talk about whatever is important to them. The clinician will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources and/or referrals. Depending on the demand for Let’s Talk services you may get 10 minutes for your conversation.
How is Let’s Talk different from traditional counseling? Counseling involves a clinical evaluation, intake of symptoms or stressors causing distress, a weekly or bi-weekly 45- 50 minute appointment using evidenced based therapies/modalities to decrease the symptom or resolve the stressors. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling — it is a drop in service where students can have time limited informal conversation with a clinician from time to time.
Who should visit Let’s Talk? This service is open to currently enrolled College of New Jersey undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Let’s Talk is the best fit for the following people: 1. Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a clinician 2. Students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through. Who shouldn’t visit Let’s Talk? Students in crisis, distress, and/or highly symptomatic.
Can I go to Let’s Talk if I was referred to a community therapist for longer term therapy instead? Let’s Talk is not designed to be a substitute for ongoing therapy services. We encourage you to follow-up on the referral(s) you are given.
I’m currently seeing a clinician at MHS, but 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 clinician directly to see if he or she can see you sooner. If they cannot see you sooner, you can utilize the urgent appointment services by reaching out to mhs@tcnj.edu.
Are there any limits to confidentiality? Conversations with Let’s Talk counselors are confidential, with a few exceptions. Clinicians may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others, legal requests for documents, and when a minor, elderly person, or someone otherwise incapacitated and unable to act on his/her own behalf is being abused/neglected. Let’s Talk clinicians keep brief documentation of their contacts with students, and in the event that there is an emergency or a student is referred to The College of New Jersey’s Counseling and Prevention Services.
Let’s Talk visits are never noted on a student’s official university transcript. If you have further questions about Let’s Talk, we encourage you to reach out to Counseling and Prevention Services at (609) 771-2247 or email us caps@tcnj.edu