Are you thinking about seeing a counselor, but want to learn a little more about it first? Do you have a specific issue you want help with, but don’t need regular appointments? Looking to find out more about on or off campus resources?
Come check out Let’s Talk!
Let's Talk is a weekly program that provides drop-in access to brief, one-on-one, informal conversations with licensed PCC clinicians at campus sites outside of the PCC offices. No appointment is necessary; students are seen on a first-come, first served basis.
Spring 2024 Hours and Location:
Wednesdays from 1-3pm, Beginning 1/24/24
Student Union Building (SUB) Room 416
See below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and to hear what other students have said about Let’s Talk.
We are happy discuss whatever brings you to Let’s Talk. Common concerns are:
Stress/Anxiety
Sadness
Relationships
Transition/Difficulty adjusting to New Paltz
Academic or financial concerns
Family problems
Gender identity/Sexuality
Social/Cultural adjustment
Balancing living at home and being a student
Let’s Talk is open to all currently registered New Paltz students, especially:
Students who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it might be like to talk with a therapist
Students who are not interested in weekly therapy, but would like the perspective of a professional to solve a problem
Students who have a specific question and would like a therapist’s assistance
Students who are concerned about a friend and wonder what to do
The PCC therapist will listen to your question or concern, ask you some brief questions to understand your need, provide support, and help identify resources and solutions. A suggested resource could be another campus department, group or individual therapy at the PCC, or resources in the local community.
Typically, individual and group therapy appointments at the PCC are traditional psychotherapy sessions in which a clinician will facilitate exploration of moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Let’s Talk is a drop-in service that allows students to have brief, informal conversations with a trained mental health professional. Let’s Talk is not a substitute for therapy; it may be considered a “pre-counseling” conversation. The PCC Let’s Talk consultant may providea different perspective or understanding of an issue, and will help students locate services and resources to address a specific concern.
Yes! Small groups or couples are welcome to stop by Let’s Talk for information or brief tips on interpersonal dynamics, howeverLet’s Talk is not designed as a mediation or couples/group therapy service.
Let’s Talk is not designed to be a crisis intervention service.If you or a friend is experiencing a mental health crisis or danger during regular business hours, please contact the PCC at 845-257-2920. After hours or on the weekend, call the same office line, 845-257-2920, and follow the prompts to reach our answering service, who will then contact a PCC counselor to return your call ASAP. For life threatening emergency assistance on campus call University Police at 845-257-2222, off campus please call 911.See Crisis Intervention for more information.
Yes. While the conversations at Let’s Talk are not as in-depth as an initial session, you can stop by for brief tips on coping, and to discuss any possible steps you can take to alleviate your stress prior to your first appointment. However, if you feel you are struggling with a very urgent matter, please contact the PCC directly to discuss scheduling a crisis appointment.
If your next scheduled appointment with your regular PCC therapist is not soon enough, please contact the PCC directly to discuss a crisis appointment.
The best thing to do in this situation is to speak directly with your therapist about your concerns. Often, an open conversation will smooth out wrinkles, and can even lead to more progress in treatment. However, if you still prefer to transfer to someone else after speaking with your therapist, you and your therapist may be able to arrange that directly, or you can arrange an appointment with the Director of the PCC to discuss your concerns.
Yes, your Let’s Talk conversation will be confidential, with some rare exceptions. Clinicians may need to share information in an emergency, such as threat to harm self or others. Therapists are also required by law to report current instances of abuse of a child, elder, or incapacitated person.
"Deep breathing, mindfulness exercises"
"Learning to say no, and taking control of behaviors in my life"
"It’s ok to be angry and to set my boundaries"
"I was validated and left with a few ways to continue to manage my life"
"Some resources for how to find a therapist"
"How to set up an intake at the PCC, and what groups are available"
"I’m allowed to show my problems and talk to my friends about them"
The Psychological Counseling Center is indebted to the counselors at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell University who pioneered and modeled Let’s Talk. They generously shared their experience to help get the Let’s Talk program started at many colleges and universities, including SUNY New Paltz.
