Call for Help

Let’s Talk

No-cost, informal, confidential consultations on campus and virtually
No topic is off limits and going to Let’s Talk  can help you gain insight, support, and information about other resources.
Common concerns include: stress, sadness, worry, relationships, academics, family problems, and financial struggles.

  • 20-25 minute-sessions are first come, first served
  • In person: Drop in to the designated space during the scheduled time.
  • Virtual: Click the  hyperlink for the day and time you wish to attend; if the provider is with someone, wait in the virtual waiting room until you’re admitted.

Let’s Talk is not a substitute for ongoing counseling and doesn’t constitute mental health treatment, but consultants can listen to specific problems, help explore solutions, and introduce you to what it’s like to speak to a member of our staff.

Spring Let's Talk Schedule (January 21 - May 9)

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Mondays

Time: 12 -2 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Indigenous Graduate Students
Provider: Serena Cisneros

Virtual

Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Topic: Healthy Sex/Sexuality
Provider: Annie Bruns

Virtual

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of BIPOC Students
Providers: Kathleen Monmany & Neeti Shenoy

Virtual

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Graduate Students
Providers: Charles Woods & Tyler Peterson (Veteran)

Virtual

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Survivors of sexual and/or intimate partner violence
Provider: Alex Little

Virtual

Tuesdays

Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of International Students
Provider: Geetanjali Deole
Location: Pyle Center, Suite 130, Waubesa Huddle Room

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Res Life House Fellows
Provider: Molly Willihnganz

Virtual

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. (beginning February 4)
Topic: Experiences of Law Students
Provider: John Schneider
Location: Law School, Room 5101

Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Business Students
Provider: Julie Phillips

Virtual

Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Providers: Julie Silverman & Bella Granato
Location: College Library, 2191D

Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Students in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Provider: Casey Smart
Location: 116 Agricultural Hall

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of LGBTQ+ Students
Provider: Mariessa Robles
Location: Gender and Sexuality Campus Center

Time: 4 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Jewish Students
Provider: Julie Silverman
Location: Hillel

Wednesdays

Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Business Students
Provider: Julie Phillips
Location: Grainger Hall, 3081

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Dates: 1/22, 2/5, 2/19 (2:30 – 4 p.m.), 3/5, 3/19, 4/2, 4/16, 4/30
Topic: Experiences of Students in the Mercile Lee Scholar Program
Provider: Brittany Howell

Virtual

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Engineering Students
Provider: Michelle Bond
Location: Engineering Student Center, Eng Hall

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of BIPOC Students
Providers: Danyelle Okesanjo and Kayla Eggen
Location: Multicultural Student Center, Room 207A (Danyelle Okesanjo), Room 207B (Kayla Eggen)

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Providers: Matt Sablan & Brian Drozd
Location: College Library, 2191D

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Indigenous Students
Provider: Serena Cisneros
Location: Indigenous Student Center, Wellness Room #202

Thursdays

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. (beginning February 6)
Topic: Experiences of Law Students
Provider: John Schneider
Location: Law School, Room 5101

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Health Professionals
Providers: Lia Warbasse & Dan Torinus

Virtual

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Provider: Kayla Eggen
Location: Chadbourne Hall, Office 112

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of BIPOC Students
Providers: Rianna Bailey & Tang Yang
Location: Center for Academic Excellence, Bascom Hall, B36D

Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. (every other week beginning 1/23)
Topic: Experiences of Indigenous Students
Provider: Rhiannon Kunesh
Location: ACTS Wellness Room, Middleton Building, Suite 224

Fridays

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Nursing Students
Provider: Ross Beattie

Virtual

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Fraternity/Sorority Life Members
Providers: Davida Randolph & Geoff Brown
Location: University Club, Audubon Room

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Topic: Experiences of Engineering Students
Provider: Michelle Bond

Virtual

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Providers: Bob Stindt & Emily Schwartz

Virtual

Meet our Let's Talk counselors

Serena Cisneros

Position title: Indigenous Student Center Embedded Mental Health Provider

Annie Bruns

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Survivor Services; Trans and Gender Diverse Services Coordinator

Pronouns: she/they

Kathleen Monmany

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Neeti Shenoy

Position title: Doctoral Psychology Intern

Pronouns: she/her

Charles Woods

Position title: Psychological Intern

Pronouns: he/him

Molly Willihnganz

Position title: Generalist Mental Health Therapist; Residence Life Embedded Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Julie Phillips

Position title: School of Business Embedded Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Geetanjali Deole

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Multilingual (Hindi, English, Marathi)

Pronouns: she/her

Mariessa Robles

Position title: Psychologist – LGBTQ+ Focus

Pronouns: they/them

Julie Silverman

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Generalist

Pronouns: she/her

Brittany Howell

Position title: Associate Director of Campus and Community Engagement

Pronouns: she/her

Danyelle Okesanjo

Position title: Multicultural Student Center Embedded Mental Health Provider; Outreach Coordinator

Matt Sablan

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Brian Drozd

Position title: Psychologist

Lia Warbasse

Position title: Associate Psychologist; School of Medicine and Public Health Embedded Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Dan Torinus

Position title: School of Medicine and Public Health Embedded Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: he/him

Kayla Eggen

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Rianna Bailey

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Ross Beattie

Position title: School of Nursing Embedded Mental Health Provider & Generalist

Pronouns: he/him

Davida Randolph

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Geoffrey T Brown Jr.

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: he/him

Michelle Bond

Position title: Associate Counselor; College of Engineering Embedded Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Bob Stindt

Position title: Associate Director

Rhiannon Kunesh

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Bella Granato

Position title: Doctoral Psychology Intern

Pronouns: she/her

Alex Little

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Survivor Services; Trans and Gender Diverse Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: they/them

John Schneider

Position title: Law School Embedded Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: he/him

Casey Smart

Position title: Access Specialist; College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Embedded Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Frequently asked questions

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What is Let’s Talk?

Let’s Talk is a program for UW–Madison students that provides easy access to informal and confidential support and consultation with counselors from UHS Mental Health Services. Counselor consultants hold drop-in hours virtually and at sites around campus Monday through Friday. Any student is welcome at any site or virtual link and no fee is charged. Virtual and in-person sections of Let’s Talk are first come, first served with no registration needed.

Who should visit Let's Talk?

All UW–Madison undergraduate and graduate students can come to a Let’s Talk consultation, but it’s the best fit for students who:

  • Aren’t sure about counseling or wonder what it’s like to talk to a counselor;
  • Aren’t interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
  • Have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through; or
  • Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like ideas about what to do.

What happens at Let’s Talk?

Let’s Talk is a program for UW–Madison students that provides easy access to informal and confidential support and consultation with counselors from UHS Mental Health Services. In these 20-minute one-on-one consultations, you can discuss concerns, get support, and experience what it is like to speak with a mental health provider.  Some sections focus on a specific concern or identity, and others are open to all students and concerns.

How is Let's Talk different from counseling at Mental Health Services?

Counselors provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of weekly or bi-monthly 45–50 minute appointments. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling; it’s a drop-in service where students can have an informal consultation with a counselor consultant from time to time.

What is the different between Let's Talk and an Access appointment?

Let’s Talk is an informal drop-in service that provides consultation and support. An access appointment is the first step toward linking students with counseling services at UHS. Part of an access appointment is reviewing and signing formal paper work, and assessing symptoms and distress levels.

I think I have a problem that would benefit from counseling. Would going to Let's Talk help me figure out what to do?

Absolutely. The counselor consultant will help you talk through your issues and help you determine the best way to get support. If you feel comfortable with the counselor consultant, it is sometimes possible to meet with them at UHS in an on-going way.

I am a non-student partner of a UW-Madison student, and I am covered by SHIP insurance. Can I come to Let's Talk?

Yes, the counselor consultant will help you with your immediate concerns and assist you with referrals for ongoing support.

I was offered an appointment at UHS Mental Health Services 14 days from now. Can I stop by Let's Talk in the meantime?

It’s best to call UHS directly if you believe you need to be seen sooner than your scheduled appointment.

I spoke with a UHS provider and they recommended a referral to a therapist in Madison. Can I come to Let's Talk instead?

Since regular counseling appointments are not available at Let’s Talk, following up with the referral is a good idea.

I am currently seeing a therapist at UHS and would like to talk with someone sooner than my next appointment. Can I go to Let's Talk?

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact your counselor directly to see if they can see you sooner.

I am currently seeing a therapist at UHS and I'm not happy with the way things are going. Can I go to a Let's Talk instead?

Express your concerns directly to your counselor. Counselors are eager to hear feedback—both positive and negative. Often, an open conversation about your concerns can resolve any issues.

What else do I need to know?

Although Let’s Talk counselor consultants are professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and doesn’t constitute mental health treatment. Let’s Talk counselor consultants provide informal consultations to help students 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 UHS.

Let's Talk visits are confidential. Are there any limits to confidentiality?

One exception is that counselors may need to share information in a situation in which safety for yourself or others is a concern. Let’s Talk counselor consultants keep brief written notes of their contacts with student in the event that there is an emergency, or when a student is referred to UHS. In these situations, other UHS counseling staff may see these notes. Information is also collected about attendance, so that we can keep track of the students we serve and those we need to continue serving.

Not sure what you're looking for?

We can help.
Call 608-265-5600 (option 2).

Acknowledgment

Let’s Talk at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is based on the Let’s Talk Program at Cornell University. With permission, some of the material from this website has been adapted or reproduced from the Cornell University Let’s Talk website. We would like to thank Matt Boone, LCSW, for his assistance in helping us launch this program on our campus. This successful model has paved the way for us and many others.