Let’s Talk offers students free, easy access to talk individually with professional counselors from the University Counseling Center. No appointment is necessary, though students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Let’s Talk visits are typically 20-25 minutes and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be a wait time if the counselor is seeing another student. During your meeting, the counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, problem solving, and suggestions for resources.

Counselors provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of bi-monthly 45-50 minute appointments. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling; it is a drop-in service where students can meet with a counselor for about 20-25 minutes and get the help they are seeking in just one or two visits.

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

Let's Talk time is open to all GVSU students, while Let's Talk: Black Mental Health is intended for Black and African-American students to have the opportunity to talk with a Black counselor.

Because regular counseling visits are not available at Let’s Talk, following up with the referral is a good idea. Unfortunately, the University Counseling Center cannot always provide ongoing counseling to every student who requests it.

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact the UCC directly (616-331-3266) to see if they can see you sooner.

No. Let’s Talk is not a crisis service and should not be utilized as one. In the event you or a friend is in immediate crisis or danger, please contact GVPD at (616) 331-3255 or got to your local emergency room. The Ottawa County 24-hour Helpline is 1-866-512-4357 and the Kent County 24-hour Access Line is (616) 336-3909.

The best thing to do in this situation is to express your concerns directly to your counselor. Counselors are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Often times an open conversation about your concerns can resolve any issues.

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 meet briefly with students to help them with specific problems and to introduce them to what it’s like to speak with a counselor. Your Let’s Talk counselor consultant can help you determine whether formal counseling would be useful to you and, if appropriate, connect you with the UCC.

Conversations with Let’s Talk counselors are private and confidential, with a few exceptions. Counselors may need to share information in an emergency, such as when there is an immediate threat of harm to yourself or others. Counselors are also required by law to report when a minor or vulnerable adults is being abuse. 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. Remember that Let’s Talk is not to be substituted for psychotherapy or crisis counseling. Let’s Talk visits are conversations and no record of your visit will be documented in any university or health record except in these rare emergency situations.

Information may be collected about attendance, so that we can keep track of the students we serve and those we need to continue serving.