Free, informal and confidential consultations with a counselor. No appointment needed.
Hours and Locations
Boone Campus
Monday 1-3pm D.D. Dougherty Hall, Room 214 (Liba Osoria)
-Not available 2/23/2026
-Not available on Spring Break
Wednesday: Watuaga River Room 2-4pm (Kendra Souza)
-Not availalble on Spring Break
Thursday: Watauga River Room 2-4pm (Caterina Eppolito)
-Alternate Locations PSU Tater Hill Room 155 (3/19)
Friday: Watauga River Room 11-1pm (Joey Rento)
-Alternate Location PSU, Snake Mountain- Room 136: 4/17
-Not available on 3/13 (Spring Break) or 4/3 (State Holiday)
Hickory Campus
- Thursdays: 10am-12pm Room:1107-A
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lets Talk?
Lets Talk is a program that offers brief, informal, and confidential one-on-one consultations with Counseling Center staff. Lets Talk can help students address specific problems and familiarize them with the process of talking to a counselor.
Who should visit Lets Talk?
Students who are looking for support with a variety of topics such as:
- Stress or anxiety
- Relationships with partners, friends, family, or roommates
- Adjustment to college or culture shock
- Sadness
- Academic performance
- Sleep difficulties
- Concerns related to sexual orientation or gender identity
- Deciding whether counseling may be a good fit
What happens at Lets Talk?
Lets Talk consultants can share helpful resources, offer their perspective on a students concerns, discuss coping skills, or offer problem-solving strategies. Additionally, consultants can help students determine whether formal counseling at the Counseling Center or elsewhere would be useful. Although Lets Talk consultants are mental health professionals, this service is not intended to be a substitute for psychotherapy or emergency services and does not constitute mental health treatment.
Is Lets Talk confidential?
Let's Talk is a confidential service, however we may need to share information in the event of:
- Any immediate risk of you ending your life or seriously harming someone else's life
- The abuse/neglect of minors, elders, or those who are dependent on someone's care
- Court ordered requests for information
Who are the Lets Talk consultants?
Libia Osorio Masin, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
Post Master's Fellow
Pronouns: she, her, hers
- Master's Program | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Appalachian State University
- Master's Internship | Counseling Center | Appalachian State University
- Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate | Appalachian State University
- National Certified Counselor
Kendra Souza, LCSW-A
Initial Consultation/Triage Counselor
Pronouns: she, her, hers
- Master's Degree | Social Work with a concentration in Individual/Family Counseling | Appalachian State University
- Master's Internship | Counseling and Psychological Services | Appalachian State University
Professional Interests / Areas of Expertise
Kendra specializes in being the first point of connection for students seeking mental health support. She believes in meeting each student exactly where they are, and guiding them toward the care that best fits their needs. Her approach is rooted in empathy and collaboration, helping students navigate their options and access the treatment that aligns with their goals. Whether someone is in crisis or simply exploring support, she strives to create a safe, welcoming space that empowers them to take the next step on their journey toward wellness.
Personal Interests
Kendra loves spending time with family and friends. She enjoys thrifting, planting seeds, chatting up strangers, and watching videos of other people cleaning. She hates driving after dark, but is not afraid to smell or taste dairy after its expiration date. She is crazy for summer, Janet Jackson, speaking Spanish and daily exercise.
Caterina Eppolito, M.A., M.F.A., LCMHC, LMHC
Staff Counselor
Pronouns: she, her, hers
- Master's Program | Clinical Psychology | St. Michael's College
- Internship | Behavioral Medicine, Copley Hospital
- Master of Fine Arts | Creative Writing | Concentration in poetry
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida
Professional Interests / Areas of Expertise
With 28 years of experience working in the field, my specialties are anxiety, depression, trauma and eating disorders. My focus is to decrease stress and strengthen self-compassion. My goal is to give clients the tools to thrive rather than just survive. Treatment will be tailored to individual needs. I have worked in schools, treatment centers, hospitals, workplace EAP and private practice. I have specialized in working with children, adolescents, college students and adults, but I am most passionate about working with college students in this stage of my career. In addition to a background in clinical psychology. I also have an MFA in creative writing with an emphasis in poetry, so I tend to incorporate expressive arts into my work.
Approach to Counseling / Theoretical Orientation
My training was in psychodynamic, trauma-informed and client-centered therapy so my treatment approach is relational and individualized. My masters thesis focused on narrative psychology, so I believe there is power in speaking our individual stories and how we decide to perceive our histories. More than our individual experiences are the meaning and purpose we give to them and how we decide to move forward. In various workplaces, I have adapted my techniques to include cognitive behavioral, psychoeducational, and solution-focused approaches. How this translates in practice is that my holistic treatment is tailored to individual needs where goals and treatment are done in collaboration with the client.
Personal Interests
Outside of work, I love hiking and just being outside. When the weather does not allow that, I enjoy yoga, collage, creative journaling and reading mysteries. I also enjoy playing detective as to what is going on in my 21-year-old daughter's Instagram posts.
Scott A. Dula, LCSW
Referral Coordinator
Pronouns: he, him, his
- Bachelor's Degree | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | Appalachian State University
- Master's Degree | Social Work with a concentration in Individual/Family Counseling | Appalachian State University
Joey Rento, M.A.
Pronouns: he, him, his
- Doctoral Program / Clinical Psychology / University of Indianapolis
If you have other questions not answered above please contact Adriana Varela-St. Clair.
The Counseling & Psychological Services Center at Appalachian State University is deeply indebted to the counselors at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell University who pioneered and modeled "Let's Talk" and made it such a successful service at Cornell. Appalachian's Let's Talk program is based on Cornell's concept. With permission, some of the material from this website has been adapted or reproduced from the Let's Talk websites of Cornell University, Northwestern University, Southern Utah University, University of Minnesota, and the University of Notre Dame.
