Personal Counseling Services

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You Matter.

Personal Counseling Services (PCS) at Edgewood College provides free, confidential mental health support. Short-term individual counseling is available to help students with a wide range of issues, such as life transitions, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, identity exploration, discrimination, academic issues, substance abuse, trauma, self-esteem, body image, stress management, self-injury, and/or suicidal thoughts. While individual counseling is PCS’s most frequently used service, we offer a number of supports to promote student mental health and wellbeing, from group counseling to our relaxation room.

To be eligible for services, students must currently reside in the state of Wisconsin. Counseling services are available for out-of-state students through our virtual platform, Uwill. Students will need their Edgewood College username and password to sign up.

Interested in additional on-campus, local, or national resources? Check our mental health resources page here, which can help with everything from finding the right provider to learning what resources are available following a sexual assault.

Mission & Diversity Statement

Personal Counseling Services (PCS) acknowledges that mental health concerns often have a significant impact on student learning and the overall educational experience. Thus, we offer a range of services designed to foster the growth and development of the whole student while also supporting the college’s academic mission. PCS provides individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, psycho-educational and preventative outreach services, consultation to students, parents, faculty, and staff, and training for graduate students in counseling.

We strive to offer a safe environment for people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, sexual identities, gender identities, religious or spiritual affiliations, abilities, classes, body shapes and sizes, and life experiences – all who reflect the rich diversity of the world’s cultures and perspectives. We are also committed to continually reflecting on personal and societal biases, through ongoing dialogue (both formal and informal) and professional development activities.

Individual Counseling & What To Expect

The most popular service at PCS is individual counseling, where a student meets 1:1 with a counselor. Students can discuss any number of mental health concerns with their counselor, including but not limited to life transitions, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, identity exploration, discrimination, academic issues, substance abuse, trauma, self-esteem, body image, stress management, self-injury, or suicidal thoughts.

Before the initial appointment, students complete a 10-15 minute intake form. The first session lasts about 45-50 minutes, focusing on understanding the student’s concerns and setting therapy goals. While students often feel relief after their first session, more in-depth problem-solving begins in subsequent appointments. Students often continue with the same counselor following their first appointment, but changes can be made if requested.

Students are eligible for up to 10 individual counseling appointments each academic year. Those who need additional support beyond 10 sessions are connected to local mental health clinics.

Group Counseling

PCS offers weekly group sessions where students can discuss a variety of concerns, such as interpersonal relationships, feelings of loneliness or isolation, or symptoms of depression or anxiety. If you’re interested in participating, contact our office to schedule an initial appointment.

Research shows that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy. Learn more about the benefits of group therapy: Group Therapy FAQ.

Crisis Care/Mental Health Emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency during business hours and would like to be seen by a counselor, please call PCS at 608-663-4148 or stop by Dominican 122. Based on your symptoms, we have protocols in place to either see you immediately or schedule the next available appointment, typically the following business day. If an emergency occurs after hours, please use the emergency phone numbers below.

Emergency Resources
Madison Police Department Emergency: 911
Edgewood College Security: (608) 663-4321
24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line of Dane County: (608) 280-2600
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988

For on-campus residents, notify a Resident Life staff member who can contact our on-call counselors.

Prefer Texting? Text the word HOME to 741741 to reach the national Crisis Text Line. Volunteer Crisis Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Drop In to “Let’s Talk”

“Let’s Talk” is a free, drop-in service offering informal, confidential consultations with Personal Counseling Services staff. Consultants hold walk-in hours at convenient locations across campus, providing students with a space to discuss concerns, problem-solve, and learn about available resources. This is not a substitute for traditional counseling and is not considered mental health treatment.

As of Fall 2024, Let’s Talk is taking place on Monday mornings from 10:30-12:00. On the 1st and 2nd Mondays of the month, Let’s Talk is hosted in the Queer Student Center. On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Mondays of the month, Let’s Talk takes place in the Multicultural Student Lounge. No appointment is necessary.

Let’s Talk Consultations are:

Free for Edgewood College students
First-come, first-served (no appointment needed)
Confidential
Informal (no intake or paperwork)

Who should visit?

Students unsure about counseling
Students not seeking ongoing therapy but desire a consultant’s perspective
Students with a specific problem to talk through
Students concerned about a friend

For more details, view Let’s Talk FAQs

This service, based on a nationally recognized model developed at Cornell University, increases access to mental health care and has been adopted by nearly 100 colleges nationwide.

Stress & Depression Questionnaire

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or mood changes, our free, anonymous stress and depression questionnaire can help you take the first step toward managing your mental health. This confidential tool is designed to assess your wellbeing and provide insight into whether you are experiencing common mental health challenges. After completing the online questionnaire, a PCS counselor will review your results and send a personalized response – without ever knowing your identity.

Relaxation Room

The Wellness Center’s Relaxation Room is a low-sensory space featuring:

Two full-body massage chairs
Coffee, tea, and seasonal beverages
Informational materials related to mental health and wellness
Additional space to relax and unwind

Prior to using the Relaxation Room, please review the potential risks and read our Relaxation Room rules.

Students will find the Relaxion Room in Dominican Hall, Room 121. It is accessible during Personal Counseling Services business hours.

Lending Library & Lightbox Checkout

PCS has a lending library of self-help books available for student check-out. A counselor may recommend a particular book, or students can peruse the shelves and find a good fit.

Lightboxes, also known as Happy Lights or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Lamps, are available for Edgewood College students to check out. There is no charge to rent a lightbox and students can check them out for up to two weeks. For more information, please talk with your counselor or email us at pcsnotifications@edgewood.edu. Be sure to consult your counselor or medical provider to determine if a lightbox is right for you and follow the instructions carefully.

Faculty Toolkit

Faculty play a key role in identifying students who may be struggling with their mental health and connecting them with support. Please consider using the following resources in your classrooms to aid in these efforts. If you have questions about how to support a particular student, please refer to the “Supporting Student Mental Health – Tips for Faculty” document and/or call PCS at 608-663-4148 to receive feedback from a counselor.

Mental Health Presentations

Personal Counseling Services staff are available to give presentations to classes or groups of students on topics such as Mental Health 101: Caring for Yourself & Your Community, Technology Use & Mental Health, Stress Management, Self-Compassion, Bystander Intervention, Relationship Violence, Sexual Violence, Disordered Eating, or Substance Use. Please email mcobbsheehan@edgewood.edu to schedule; a minimum notice of two weeks is needed.

EC Cares Sharepoint Site

This website, created by the Dean of Students Office, contains information about submitting early alerts, reporting tools for when you are concerned about a student, medical leaves, and financial supports for students in need.

Pre-Made Slides, Intro to the Wellness Center

Present these slides to your class or invite a Personal Counseling Services staff member to provide a presentation or workshop. Commonly requested topics include mental health 101, stress management, healthy relationships, sexual violence, substance use, disordered eating, and mental health & technology. All presentations include an overview of the mental health services available on campus. If interested, please call our reception desk at (608) 663-4148 or email pcsnotifications@edgewood.edu

Sample Syllabus Statement

Consider adding content about mental health to your syllabi.

Supporting Student Mental Health – Tips for Faculty

Follow this guide to best support student mental health in the classroom.

JED Foundation’s Faculty Guide to Supporting Student Mental Health

Greater Good In Education: Science-Based Practices for Kinder, Happier Schools (K-College)

Concerned About a Student?

The following are signs that a student may be struggling with their mental health:

Changes in mood, behavior, or appearance
Marked decrease in performance, preparation, or class participation
Social withdrawal
Decline in personal hygiene
Dramatic weight loss or gain
Leaving the classroom when content may be triggering
Exaggerated emotional response inappropriate to the situation
Intoxicated or high; smelling of alcohol or drugs
References to suicide, homicide, or death

These strategies can be helpful in approaching and supporting the student you are concerned about:

Share what you’ve noticed in clear, behavioral terms and express concern (e.g., “I’ve noticed that you’ve seemed down lately and haven’t been spending as much time with friends. I’m worried about you.”)
Listen actively, with a focus on understanding and empathy rather than immediate problem-solving. If the person does not want to talk, that’s ok; simply affirm that you’re available if the student changes their mind.
Give hope and refer to resources (e.g., “I know that counseling can really help. Have you heard about Personal Counseling Services?”)
Know your limits. It’s okay to remind the person that you’re not a counselor and that you’d like to help get them connected with the right resources.

Concerning or Troublesome Behavior (EC Cares)

The purpose of the Edgewood College Cares (EC Cares) Team is to promote campus resources, help faculty and staff get students connected to help, and to identity, support, and consult regarding students whose behaviors are perceived by others to be disconcerting, disruptive, and/or threatening to themselves or others. Please use this form to report behaviors of an Edgewood College community member that are concerning or troubling and cause you to worry about that person’s health or safety.

Questions? Call Personal Counseling Services at (608) 663-4148 or the Dean of Students Office at (608) 663-2212.

Personal Counseling Services Staff

Stephanie Brown

Staff Clinician

Stephanie joined Personal Counseling Services as a staff clinician in 2016. Prior to coming to Edgewood, she completed her post-doc at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Stephanie is originally from Long Beach, CA and received her BA at Amherst College in Massachusetts. She obtained an M.A. and Psy.D. in clinical psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology in Southern California. As a generalist Stephanie works with most every concern that students bring but has a passion for working with folks on self-care, maintaining healthy relationship boundaries, disordered eating struggles, healing from trauma, spiritual or religious issues, and issues related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, and other areas of culture and identity development. In her free time Stephanie enjoys dancing, reading sci-fi/fantasy novels, traveling, eating spicy foods, and watching movies.

Email Stephanie

Megan Cobb-Sheehan

Director of Personal Counseling Services

Megan Cobb-Sheehan completed her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon, her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University, and her post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She joined Personal Counseling Services in 2013. She takes a person-centered approach to therapy, while also placing emphasis on patterns learned from family and early life experiences. Therapy can help discover which patterns may be helpful or hindering and can provide opportunities for change and empowerment. Megan’s areas of expertise include depression and anxiety, trauma, disordered eating, and family & relationship concerns.

Email Megan

Additional Resources

Mental Health Resources

Wellness Center

Graduate Training Opportunities