Community-Based Counseling and Let's Talk
What is Community-Based Counseling?
Community-Based Counseling at CAPS follows a “Meso Practice” model — that means it’s a program designed to meet students’ mental health needs in a way that’s more connected and accessible than traditional mental health services, but still more personal than large public health efforts. Whether you’re looking for one-on-one support or just want to get involved in a wellness event near you, Community-Based Counseling brings mental health resources closer to where you are.
How does it work?
Counselors are placed directly in different communities around campus such as academic departments, professional schools, communities and cultural centers, on set days and times. This makes it easier for students to connect with someone in a space they already know and where they feel comfortable. Over time, this familiarity helps build strong relationships, trust, and support.
What services can Community-Based Counselors provide?
- Helping students get started with CAPS services and creating a plan that works for each student
- Offering individual support, short-term therapy, and referrals to other services
- Hosting workshops, facilitating support groups and group therapy, and giving presentations tailored to communities
- Understanding the unique needs of a community and helping to address those needs
- Responding to and providing support around difficult events that impact communities
- Supporting faculty or staff who are concerned about a student
- Offering guidance for programs, policies, or initiatives focused on well-being
Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk is a free and confidential service offered by Community Based Counselors at CAPS, in various locations throughout campus. It provides students with opportunities to drop in for an informal consultation with a counselor to discuss personal concerns in a comfortable and non-judgmental setting. Let’s Talk is also available in-person or by phone.
Who can benefit from Let’s Talk?
Let’s Talk is ideal for students who
- Are unsure about counseling and want to explore what it's like to talk with a counselor.
- Prefer not to commit to ongoing therapy but would like some guidance or support.
- Have a specific issue or concern they'd like to discuss with a counselor
To schedule an appointment, call 848-932-7884 and choose option 2.
SUMMER 2025
Let’s Talk is currently by drop in or by appointment, and is offered at the following times and locations. Please note that drop in times might be filled, so consider making an appointment. Please call 848-932-7884, press #2 to schedule an appointment.
*Students dropping in must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of Let’s Talk Hours.*
Community Based Counselor: Mei-Ling Cheng, LPC
Specialty: Students Connected to Rutgers Global - International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
Day/Time: Mondays 2 pm – 3 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 180 College Avenue, College Ave Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/91900564338?pwd=bMPKXajEW97smCcbBupd2hJJVfy664.1
Community Based Counselor: Shan Reeves, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to Honor’s College
Day/Time: Mondays 2 pm – 3 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Honors College, 5 Seminary Place, First Fl., Room E125, College Ave Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/96287469357?pwd=B72NB5IMK6zCSnXbYW8dYWbZhfGzuz.1
Community Based Counselor: Jessica Trusiani, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS)
Day/Time: Mondays 2 pm – 3 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Martin Hall, 88 Lipman Drive, Room 010B, Cook/Douglass Campus
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal.
Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
*Students dropping in must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of Let’s Talk Hours.*
Community Based Counselor: Kia Alexander, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to Mason Gross School of the Arts (Downtown)
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 11 am – 12 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 33 Livingston Avenue, Civic Square Building, Room 239, Downtown New Brunswick
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/91051549315?pwd=A9UvnXHZBLrHPWD8guWoGicEj9FDRf.1
Community Based Counselor: Dana Simons, LPC
Specialty: Students Connected to School of Engineering (SOE)
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 10 am – 11 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Biomedical Engineering Building (BME), Reading Room 130A, 599 Taylor Road, Busch Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99204936276?pwd=ra7be7mH7i4xVU8pi3jEA0wn9Ob9QW.1 (Password: 501838)
Community Based Counselor: Reyna Dowling, LCSW, LCADC
Specialty: Students Connected to Mason Gross School of the Arts (Cook/Douglass)
Day/Time: Tuesdays at 2 pm – 3 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Art History Hall, Room 212, 4 Chapel Drive, Douglass Campus
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal.
Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
Community Based Counselor: Wil Vargas, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to Douglass Residential College (DRC)
Day/Time: Tuesday 1pm – 2pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Willets in Jameson Apartments, 11 Suydam Street, 1st Floor Room 103, Douglass Campus
(Entrance is inside the courtyard of Jameson Hall.)
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal.
Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
Community Based Counselor: Dominique Paz, LSW
Specialty: Students Connected to The Center for Latino Arts and Culture (CLAC)
Day/Time: Tuesdays 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 172 College Avenue, College Ave Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/91099537276?pwd=Z7j9yILxeu1FToOQVBaC0rRwcIzwrQ.1
*Students dropping in must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of Let’s Talk Hours.*
Community Based Counselor: Dominique Paz, LSW
Specialty: Students Connected to School of Arts and Sciences, EOF Program
Day/Time: Wednesdays 2 pm – 3 pm, TELEHEALTH ONLY
Location: School of Arts and Sciences Educational Opportunity Fund (SAS-EOF)
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/95877313155?pwd=HKOzSl0dEfeHkoaAyrWihkyA6Co8Tk.1
*Students dropping in must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of Let’s Talk Hours.*
Community Based Counselor: Kia Alexander, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC)
Day/Time: Thursdays, 10 am – 11 am, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 600 Bartholomew Road, Busch Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/97523072211?pwd=Nj59Bh1pywutCTqsHaRyUKUZbDsTYA.1
Community Based Counselor: Dana Simons, LPC
Specialty: Students Connected to Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
Day/Time: Thursdays from 10 am – 11 am, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM) Building, 679 Hoes Lane West, Room 240, Busch Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99204936276?pwd=ra7be7mH7i4xVU8pi3jEA0wn9Ob9QW.1 (Password: 501838)
Community Based Counselor: Reyna Dowling, LCSW, LCADC
Specialty: Students Connected to Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Day/Time: Thursdays at 1 pm – 2 pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Room 108, Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal. Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
Community Based Counselor: Wil Vargas, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to Center for Social Justice and LGBT Communities (SJE)
Day/Time: Thursdays 1pm – 2pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: 17 Bartlett Street, College Ave Campus, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal.
Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
Community Based Counselor: Mei-Ling Cheng, LPC
Specialty: Students Connected to Asian American Cultural Center (AACC)
Day/Time: Thursdays 2 pm – 3 pm, TELEHEALTH ONLY
Location: 49 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Livingston Campus
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/91900564338?pwd=bMPKXajEW97smCcbBupd2hJJVfy664.1
Community Based Counselor: Jessica Trusiani, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to School of Business (RBS)
Day/Time: Thursdays from 2pm – 3pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: North Tower, Room 5008, 100 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus
Link: The Zoom link will be provided for virtual Let’s Talk appointments via secure message in the Student Health Portal.
Call 848-932-7884, option #2 to schedule an appointment.
*Students dropping in must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of Let’s Talk Hours.*
Community Based Counselor: Shan Reeves, LCSW
Specialty: Students Connected to School of Graduates Studies
Day/Time: Fridays 11am – 12pm, IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH
Location: West Academic Building, 15 Seminary Place, Room 5050, College Ave Campus, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99964889730?pwd=MGdoTlI5M1hDcmdxQ2lpVzloWndmdz09
