Carnegie Mellon University
Division of Student Affairs  ›  Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS)  ›  Services  ›  Let's Talk

Let's Talk

Let's Talk is a drop-in service that offers an informal, confidential conversation with a CaPS counselor at various campus locations and on Zoom*. Let’s Talk counselors can listen to specific concerns, offer support, help explore solutions, and introduce you to what it’s like to speak with a member of our staff. Let’s Talk is not a substitute for therapy and does not constitute mental health treatment. 

Let’s Talk meetings are…

  • FREE for CMU students
  • Confidential
  • Typically about 20-25 minutes in length
  • Offered first-come, first-served (no appointment required)
  • Informal and not a substitute for therapy
  • Not intended for urgent concerns or mental health emergencies

Let's Talk Fall 2023 Schedule

Wednesdays, 1-3pm
CUC LL75 in the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion

Thursdays, 1-3pm
ANSYS A11

*Zoom available by request
Zoom ID: 944 6933 5805
Must be signed in with CMU Zoom account

Let’s Talk is available every week starting after Labor Day and through finals.

Let's Talk will not be available during the following dates:

  • Fall Break (October 16-20)
  • Thanksgiving Break (November 22-24)
  • After finals (starting December 18).
Abigail Cruz

Meet Our Let's Talk Counselor

Abigail Cruz is a staff therapist and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services at CMU. She is a second-generation Filipino-American and was a first-generation college student. She has previously worked in the counseling centers at Texas Tech University, where she earned her doctorate, and Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed her doctoral internship. Abigail’s clinical interests include family of origin concerns, racial/ethnic identity development, second- and third-generation immigrant concerns, and social anxiety. She is passionate about incorporating social justice and multiculturalism into her work with all CMU students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s Talk is a program that provides easy access to informal conversations with counselors from CaPS. It is a drop-in service (no appointment required; first-come, first-served) that is free to CMU students.

This service is open to all CMU undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Let's Talk is the best fit for the following people:

  • Students who have never been in counseling before, are not sure if it’s right for them and wonder what it's like to talk with a counselor;
  • Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
  • Students who have a specific problem and would like to talk it through with someone;
  • Students who are interested in learning more about what campus resources are available to them and how to access them.
Absolutely. The Let's Talk counselor will talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way to get help. If you feel comfortable with the counselor, it is sometimes possible to meet with them at CaPS in an ongoing way.
If you believe you need to be seen sooner and you no longer can wait for services, it’s best to call CaPS directly (412-268-2922) and explain your situation. CaPS will help you get into appropriate services as soon as possible which may include getting connected to an outside provider in your area.
Since regular counseling appointments are not available at Let’s Talk, following up with the referral is a good idea. If you have questions about your referral please contact CaPS.
If your next appointment is not soon enough, it's best to contact your counselor to ask if they can see you sooner.
The best thing to do in this situation is to talk directly with your counselor. Counselors are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Oftentimes, an open conversation about your concern helps smooth out any wrinkles. If, after talking with your counselor, you prefer to transfer to someone else, you can let your counselor know directly or discuss this with your initial consultation counselor or CaPS administrative staff.
Let's Talk visits are typically 20-25 minutes, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Usually, there is no wait. During your session, the counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.
Students who access counseling through CAPS schedule appointments to meet with a counselor, and sometimes participate in ongoing counseling through scheduled weekly or bi-weekly appointments.

In contrast, Let's Talk is not formal counseling and is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment. Rather, it is a convenient drop-in service where students can have an informal consultation with a counselor.
Conversations with Let's Talk counselors are confidential, with a few very rare exceptions. 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 his/her own behalf is being abused. 

Let's Talk counselors keep brief written notes of their contacts with students, and in the event that there is an emergency or a student is referred to CaPS, other CaPS staff may see these notes.  Finally, these notes can be released in the unlikely event of a court order. Let's Talk visits are never noted on a student's official university record. 

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.
Although Let's Talk counselors are professionals, Let's Talk is not a substitute for therapy and does not constitute mental health treatment. Let's Talk counselors 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 can help you determine whether formal counseling at CaPS would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an appointment.
The Let's Talk Program at Carnegie Mellon University 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 Cornell University.