Call for Help

Let’s Talk

Let’s Talk sessions are available January 23 – May 10, 2024.
No-cost, informal, confidential consultations on campus and virtually
No topics 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 2024 Let's Talk (ends May 10, 2024)

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Mondays

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Healthy Sex, Healthy Relationships
Virtual: Zoom
Providers: Annie Bruns, Mariessa Robles

Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Focus: APIDA students
In person: MSC, 2nd floor Mezzanine
Providers: Melanie Daovannary, Kathleen Monmany

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, Room 2191D
Providers: Hannah Glenn, Austin Folger

Time: 4-5 p.m.
Focus: Student survivors of sexual and relationship violence
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95284802163
Provider: Annie Bruns

Tuesdays

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Business students
Virtual: Zoom
Provider: Julie Phillips

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: CAE students
In person: Bascom Hall, Room B36D
Provider: Sandra Becerra

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: All students
Virtual: Zoom
Providers: P J Young, Haley Solberg

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: Jewish identity
In person: Hillel
Providers: Julie Silverman

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, Room 2191D
Provider: Matt Sablan

Wednesdays

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Business students
Virtual: Zoom
Provider: Julie Phillips

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, Room 2191D
Providers: Brian Drozd, Danyelle Okesanjo

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: LGBTQ+ medical questions
In person: GSCC
Provider: Erika Enk

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: Indigenous students
In person: Indigenous Student Center, 2nd floor wellness room
Provider: Serena Cisneros

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: Black students
In person: MSC, Second floor mezzanine
Provider: Kayla Eggen

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: Engineering students
In person: Wendt Commons, Room 415
Provider: Michelle Bond

Thursdays

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Health profession students
Virtual: Zoom
Providers: Lia Warbasse, Dan Torinus

Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Focus: Students with disabilities
Virtual: Zoom
Providers: Jo Hoese, Bob Stindt

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: Latinx students
In person: MSC, Second floor mezzanine
Providers: Sophia Smith, Sandra Becerra

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: LGBTQ+ students
In person: GSCC
Providers: Blake Bettis, Austin Folger

Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, 2191D
Providers: Charles Woods, Elizabeth Axtell

Time: 4-5 p.m.
Focus: Student survivors of sexual and relationship violence
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Molly Caradonna

Fridays

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Focus: Nursing students
Virtual: Zoom
Provider: Ross Beattie

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Focus: International students
Virtual: Zoom
Providers: Geetanjali Deole, Felix Savino

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: Chadbourne Hall, Room 112
Provider: Kendall Ferguson

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Engineering students
Virtual: Zoom
Provider: Michelle Bond

 

Meet our Let's Talk counselors

Blake Bettis

Position title: Mental Health Provider - LGBTQ+ focus

Pronouns: he/him

Michelle Bond

Position title: Associate Counselor - Engineering Focus

Pronouns: she/her

Geetanjali Deole

Position title: Mental Health Provider - Student of Color Focus, Multilingual (Hindi, English, Marathi)

Pronouns: she/her

Kayla Eggen

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Sophia Smith

Position title: Crisis Response Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Leya Moore

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Julie Phillips

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Bob Stindt

Position title: Associate Director

Carol Heins-Daniels

Position title: Violence Prevention Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Melanie Daovannary

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Kathleen Monmany

Position title: Postgraduate Master's Fellow, Student of Color Focus Provider

Pronouns: she/her

Jo Hoese

Position title: Senior Psychologist

Pronouns: she/her

Felix Savino

Position title: Staff Psychologist and Training Team Manager

Pronouns: he/him

Alex Little

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Survivor Services

Pronouns: they/them

Paul "PJ" Young

Position title: Access Specialist

Pronouns: he/him

Haley Solberg

Position title: Access Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Matt Sablan

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Tommy Wild

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: they/them

Brian Drozd

Position title: Psychologist

Erika Enk

Position title: Nurse Case Manager, TGD/FNE

Pronouns: they/them

Mariessa Robles

Position title: Postdoctoral Resident

Pronouns: they/them

Ross Beattie

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

Pronouns: he/him

Kendall Ferguson

Position title: Mental health provider, Survivor Services specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Hannah Glenn

Position title: Doctoral Psychology Intern

Pronouns: she/her

Charles Woods

Position title: Psychological Intern

Pronouns: he/him

Liz Axtell

Position title: Doctoral Psychology Intern

Pronouns: she/her

Danyelle Okesanjo

Position title: Mental Health Provider and Outreach Coordinator

Annie Bruns

Position title: Mental Health Provider and TGD Coordinator

Pronouns: she/they

Julie Silverman

Position title: Mental Health Provider, Generalist

Pronouns: she/her

Dan Torinus

Position title: Mental Health Provider

Pronouns: he/him

Frequently asked questions

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

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.

Contact UHS Mental Health Services

Email the MHS Outreach Team or call 608-265-5600 (option 2).

UHS offers 24/7 crisis intervention services for enrolled students or for those who are concerned about an enrolled student. If you feel desperate, are thinking about suicide, or you’re afraid for the well-being of someone you know, call UHS at 608-265-5600 (option 9). Learn more information about crisis services.

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.