Personal Counseling Services

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency during business hours and would like to be seen by a counselor, please call the PCS office 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. Learn more about the Crisis Text Line.

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.

Short-term counseling is available to help students with a wide range of issues, including 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 suicidal thoughts. Students may also receive support letters for gender-affirming treatments.

What To Expect

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. Continuity with the same counselor is typical, but changes can be made if requested.

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 use them 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 included instructions carefully.

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.

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 emotional 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.

Complete the Questionnaire

Take control of your mental health today by accessing the online stress and depression questionnaire. It’s a quick and easy way to better understand your mental wellbeing and explore available resources. Whether you are struggling with academic pressures, personal relationships, or just feeling off, our counselors are here to guide you – completely confidentially.

If you would like to discuss an incident in a confidential manner, or learn more about your rights without necessarily filing a report with the college, the following resources are available.

Note that these are the only resources on campus that are considered confidential when informed of sexual violence. Other staff and faculty are obligated to share information about sexual violence with the Director of Student Conduct and/or the Title IX Coordinator.

Personal Counseling Services

• (608) 663-4148, Dominican 122, PCSNotifications@edgewood.edu

Health Services

• (608) 663-8334, Dominican 122, healthservices@edgewood.edu

Gretchen Baumgardt, Interim Chief Mission and Ministry Officer

• (608) 663-3292, DeRicci 222, gbaumgardt@edgewood.edu

Campus Policies

You can find the college’s sexual misconduct and relationship violence policy in the Student Handbook. Additional information regarding policies and procedures, victim rights, and campus crime rates are included in the annual Security and Fire Safety reports.

Edgewood College students, faculty, and staff have the reporting options listed below. “Reporting” means that an investigation into the incident may take place. Reporting is a personal decision and efforts are made to take the victim or survivor’s lead in deciding whether or not to proceed with an investigation. In the event that the incident is deemed a continued danger to the campus community, a notice without any information identifying the victim or survivor would be sent as an Eagle Alert.

Note that any staff or faculty member other than those listed in the “confidential resources” section above must inform the Director of Student Conduct and/or the Title IX Coordinator if/when they are given information about an incident related to sexual violence.

1) Reporting to the College

• If in immediate need, contact Edgewood College Safety & Security by calling 608-663-4321.
• Students can contact the Dean of Students Office at 608-663-2212 to file a report.
• Staff and faculty can contact Arhelia Dalla Costa Behm, Title IX Coordinator, at 608-663-4304 or adallacostabehm@edgewood.edu to file a report.

2) Reporting to the police

• If in immediate need, call 911.
• If the incident took place in Madison and the need is no longer immediate, call the City of Madison Police non-emergency line at (608) 225-2345.
• If the incident occurred outside of Madison and the need is no longer immediate, call the police in that area.

3) Reporting to both the college and the police

4) Neither – Choosing not to report the incident. The victim or survivor can also report the incident at a later time if they choose to do so.

Sexual Violence Resource Center

The Sexual Violence Resource Center (formerly called the Rape Crisis Center) has advocates and counselors available. Advocates can provide education, help victims and survivors navigate their medical and legal needs, and review the reporting options available. 24-hour Help Line: (608) 251-7273.

Forensic Nurse Examiners Program
Victims and survivors are strongly encouraged to participate in this program. Services include a physical injury exam and collection of evidence (i.e., a “rape kit”). Evidence is kept for 10 years and the victim or survivor has the right to choose whether or not they report the crime to the police at any point in time. If the crime is reported, the evidence collected may later be useful to the victim or survivor’s case.

Victims and survivors of strangulation are also encouraged to utilize this program. Services may include medical examination, use of a black light to detect bruises, photo collection, and/or swabbing the neck for DNA.

The cost of services may be covered by the “Wisconsin Safe Fund” if there is a financial need and/or you do not wish to use your family’s insurance plan. The Forensic Nurse Examiner Program is located in the UnityPoint Health Meriter Emergency Room at 202 S. Park Street, Madison, WI. (608) 417-5916.

Crime Victim Compensation (CVC)

CVC can help pay for expenses that were incurred as the result of a crime. Call 608-264-9497 to inquire about your eligibility.

UNIDOS of Wisconsin (click here to access the website in Spanish)

UNIDOS of Wisconsin provides advocacy services in English and Spanish. Types of support offered include legal advocacy, assistance with filing a restraining order, immigration information, accompaniment to court, and support groups. UNIDOS Help Line: 1-800-510-9195

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS)

DAIS offers support to individuals in situations involving domestic or dating violence. Services include crisis response, emergency shelter, and support groups. DAIS Help Line: (608) 251-4445 or 1-800-747-4045

Freedom Inc.

Freedom Inc. provides culturally-competent advocacy and support to victims and survivors of sexual assault or domestic or dating violence. Their mission is to end violence against people of color, women, those that non-traditionally gender identify, youth, and elders, and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Deaf Unity Wisconsin

Deaf Unity provides services in American Sign Language (ASL), including offering emotional support, information and education, and accompaniment to court or medical appointments.

Disability Rights Wisconsin

Disability Rights Wisconsin provides advocacy to crime victims with disabilities. This may include emotional support, legal advice, or assistance with accessing disability services.

Rise Law Center

The Rise Law Center offers legal representation in regards to family law, restraining orders, and immigration and visas.

Community Justice Inc.

This is a non-profit law firm that provides representation to victims or survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. Identify yourself as a student and inquire about their sliding scale fees.

Power & Control Wheel

RAINN: Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network

National Sexual Violence Resource Center