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, conversation session with mental health professionals from TCNJ’s Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS).
Speaking with a therapist during Let’s Talk can help you access support, gain perspective, and discuss helpful resources and options.
Let’s Talk sessions could be used to:
- Learn more about mental health resources including group/workshop
- options, Uwill virtual therapy and/or assistance with finding therapy services in the community.
- Learn about healthy ways to cope with stress and other concerns.
- Get emotional support and identify ways to increase social connection.
- Create a menu of therapy options to consider, or identify a future plan of action with CAPS.
How do you access Let’s Talk?
Clinicians hold walk-in hours to be determined during the semester. There is no appointment or fee to use Let’s Talk. A schedule of dates and times will be available on the TCNJ Let’s Talk web page.
Disclaimer
Although Let’s Talk conversations are with mental health professionals, they are not therapy sessions and do not constitute mental health treatment. This format may be more directive and be similar to coaching.
Let’s Talk is not for urgent concerns.
If you are in crisis or need immediate support (M-F 9:00 am to 4:00pm), 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:
Wednesdays 11 AM to 12 PM for Fall 2023
Location: CAPS/SHS Suite 107 First Floor Eickhoff Hall (same hallway as the dining hall).
Let’s Talk! Frequently Asked Questions
What is Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is a brief informal nonclinical confidential conversation with a clinician 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’s schedule is Wednesdays from 11 AM to 12 PM. There is no appointment or fee.
Please come to Eickhoff, Suite 107. For more questions, you can send an email here: aiyegbob@tcnj.edu
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, direction, and suggestions for resources and/or referrals. Depending on the demand for Let’s Talk services, you may get up to 20 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, and weekly or bi-weekly 45-50 minute appointments using evidenced-based therapies/modalities. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling — it is a drop-in service where students can have time-limited (15-20 minute) informal conversation with a clinician.
Who should visit Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is open to currently enrolled College of New Jersey undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Let’s Talk is the best fit for:
1. Students not in crisis who are uninterested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a therapist
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 are 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 emailing calling 609.771.2247 or by walking in to Suite 107 in Eickhoff Hall daily from 830 AM to 430 PM. If this is an emergency, call 911.
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.