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 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

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)
What is Let’s Talk?
Who should visit Let’s Talk?
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.
I think I have a problem that would benefit from counseling, but I don't know anything about counseling. Would going to Let's Talk help me figure out what to do?
I scheduled a CaPS appointment for a week from now. Can I stop by Let's Talk in the meantime?
I called CaPS and spoke with a counselor. They recommended a referral to an outside counselor. Can I go to Let's Talk instead?
I'm currently seeing a counselor at CaPS, and I would like to talk with someone sooner than my next appointment. Can I go to Let's Talk?
I'm currently seeing a counselor at CaPS, and I'm not happy with how things are going. Can I go to Let's Talk instead?
What happens at a visit to Let's Talk?
How is Let's Talk different from counseling at CaPS?
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.
Let’s Talk visits are confidential. Are there any limits to confidentiality?
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.