Let's Talk Program

"Let’s Talk” is a program developed by UC San Diego CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to offer drop-in consultation services to students who are seeking informal support and assistance with mental health and campus resources. While this does not constitute professional counseling or mental health treatment, Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues. This is a great opportunity to chat with a psychologist and ask questions about your well-being, accessing resources, and getting connected with CAPS.

Below are programs that offer let's talk. Follow the steps below, as each department has its own schedule and signup procedures. If you have any questions, please contact the CAPS counselor or your home department's Student Affairs office for more information.

International Students (ISPO): Rina Schul, PhD
Graduate Students and Professional Students (GRAD): Christina Lambert, PhD
School of Medicine Students (SOM): David Kersey, MD
Skaggs School of Pharmacy Students (SKAGGS): Sophia Chang, PsyD
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Graduate Students: Fengqin Lian, PhD
Veterans or Military Connected Students (SVRC): Sarah Clavell-Storer, PhD
Scholar Athletes (ICA): Ben Metta Penhas, PhD

International Students

Serving	International Students
Info	Link to ISPO Let's Talk Page Flyer (PDF)
Facilitator	Rina Schul, PhD
Format	Zoom
When	Spring 2021: Mondays, 3:30-4:30 PST Meetings are 30 min long, and a student can sign-up for two such meetings in a quarter.
Description	The UC San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is pleased to offer “Let’s Talk”, a program designed to provide drop-in consultation services to undergraduate and graduate international students. Let’s Talk meetings with Dr. Rina Schul (CAPS/ISPO Liaison) are for international students who are seeking informal support with general wellness issues such as stress, adjustment, cross-cultural challenges, motivation, focus, and relationships. Let’s Talk sessions are one-on-one, and are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support. They are available to ALL international students regardless of where they reside. Dr. Schul is looking forward to meeting with you!
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please use this link to sign up for a Let’s Talk meeting anonymously. You will be asked to generate an alpha-numeric code of your choice, and place it in a specific time slot. By doing that you would be reserving that time slot for an individual Let’s Talk meeting with Dr. Schul. You can find the Zoom link for the meeting on the sign-up sheet.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. Dr. Schul can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

Graduate and Professional Students

Serving	Graduate and Professional Students
Info	Download Flyer (PDF) for more information
Facilitator(s)	Tyler Hatchel, PhD Christina Lambert, PhD Haim Shemer, PsyD
Format	Zoom
When	Winter 2021: Wednesdays, 9:00-11:30 am (Dr. Lambert) Wednesdays, 1:00-3:30 pm (Dr. Hatchel) Thursdays, 2:00-3:00 pm (Dr. Shemer) Meetings are 30 min long, and a student can sign-up for two such meetings in a quarter.
Description	Informal support with issues such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, and relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please look for an email from your graduate coordinator with more details, including the sign-up and Zoom links. The sign up process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation you will be asked for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

SOM Students

Serving	SOM Students
Info	Download Fall Flyer (PDF) for more information. Winter Flyer coming soon.
Facilitator	David Kersey, MD
Format	Zoom
When	Winter 2021: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 12:00-2:00 pm Sign-up sheet has 15 minute increments and students can sign up for 1 or 2. No meetings on holidays
Description	Informal support with issues such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, and relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please look for an email from Jamie Nye with more details, including the sign-up and Zoom links. The signup process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation Dr. Kersey will ask for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

Skaggs School of Pharmacy Students

Serving	Skaggs School of Pharmacy Students
Info	Download Flyer (PDF) for more information
Facilitator	Sophia Chang, PsyD
Format	Zoom
When	Fall 2020: Mondays, 12:00-1:00 pm Meetings are 30 min long, and a student can sign-up for two such meetings in a quarter. No meetings on holidays
Description	Informal support with issues such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, & relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues. The sessions are available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please look for an email from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy coordinator with more details, including the signup and Zoom links. The signup process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation Dr. Chang will ask for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) Students

Serving	Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Students
Info	Download Flyer (PDF) for more information
Facilitator	Fengqin Lian, PhD
Format	Zoom
When	Spring 21: Mondays, 2:00-3:00 pm Meetings are 30 min long, and a student can sign-up for two such meetings in a quarter. No meetings on holidays
Description	Informal support with issues such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, & relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues. The sessions are available in English and Mandarin.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please look for an email from your Director of Student Affairs with more details, including the signup and Zoom links. The signup process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation Dr. Lian will ask for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

Veterans or Military-Connected Students

Serving	Veteran or Military-Connected Students
Info	SVRC Affiliates page
Facilitator	Sarah Clavell-Storer, PhD
Format	Zoom
When	Fall 2020: Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm Meetings are 30 min long, and a student can sign-up for two such meetings in a quarter. No meetings on holidays
Description	Informal support with issues such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, & relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Go to the SVRC Affilates page and make an appointment with Dr. Clavell-Storer. The signup process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation Dr. Clavell-Storer will ask for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.

Scholar Athletes

Serving	Scholar Athletes
Info	Download Flyer (PDF) for more information
Facilitator	Ben Metta Penhas, PsyD
Format	Zoom
When	Fall 2020: Mondays, 1:00-2:00 pm Meetings are 15-20 min long No meetings on holidays
Description	Informal support with issues relevant to scholar-athletes, such as stress/worry, sleep, motivation, focus, recovering from setbacks, work/life changes, performance, and relationships (personal and professional). Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support regarding general wellness-related issues.
Instructions	For Zoom meetings: review the Let's Talk Acknowledgment Form (PDF) Please look for an email from the ICA Sports Administrator office with more details, including the signup and Zoom links. The signup process is anonymous. At the beginning of the conversation, the facilitator will ask for your name, student ID, and location.
Important Info about Let's Talk	Please note: Let’s Talk meetings are NOT professional counseling, mental health treatment or crisis / urgent consultation. If you would like such professional services, please call CAPS central office at (858) 534-3755 to arrange an appointment. At this time, CAPS can provide professional mental health treatment or psychotherapy to students residing in California only. The facilitator can help students decide whether formal counseling would be helpful and direct them to such resources.