Let’s Talk

Let’s Talk provides easy access to informal, confidential 15-minute consultations with a counselor from AIC’s Dexter Counseling Center. Let’s Talk is for drop-in sessions only. The schedule of dates, times, and locations as well as counselor information can be seen here.

Consultations are first-come, first-served. Usually there is not much of a wait. The counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.

Counseling Center based services are private counseling sessions, which usually consists of 45–50-minute appointments, scheduled in advance. Let’s Talk is a drop-in service where students can have a brief, informal consultation with a counselor from time to time.

If you are in an immediate crisis, it’s best to contact the local crisis agency, Behavioral Health Network (BHN) at 413-733-6661, go to your nearest ER, or call Campus Safety at 413-205-3333. Let’s Talk is not a crisis intervention service.

This service is open to all AIC students. Let’s Talk is a great fit for the following people:

• • Students who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it’s like to talk to a counselor.
  • Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like a counselor’s perspective.
  • Students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through.
  • Students who have a concern about a friend and want some thoughts about what to do.

Absolutely. The counselor will talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way to get help. If you feel comfortable, they can help you schedule an appointment with them at the Counseling Center.

Yes, Let’s Talk is open to all AIC students. If your next appointment with your counselor is not soon enough, it’s important to contact them directly and express your concern.

Let’s Talk counselors are professionals, however Let’s Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let’s Talk counselors provide brief, informal consultations to help students with specific problems and to introduce them to what it is like to speak with a counselor. A Let’s Talk counselor can help you determine whether formal counseling would be beneficial for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment with a Dexter Counseling Center professional.

Conversations with Let’s Talk counselors are confidential, meaning what we discuss stays between us. There are a few exceptions to this based upon safety which will be outlined below. However, Let’s Talk occurs in public spaces, so complete privacy cannot be assumed. Scheduling an appointment at the Counseling Center will provide more privacy.

• Counselors may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others. Counselors are required by law to report when a minor, elderly person, or someone otherwise incapacitated and unable to act on their own behalf is being abused. Let’s Talk counselors keep brief written notes of their contacts with students that are protected in their health record. Let’s Talk visits are never noted on a student’s official academic record.