Personal Counseling Services

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You Matter.

Students in college will face challenges and experience pressure. Whether it’s personal, academic, or both, the Personal Counseling Services (PCS) at Edgewood College are designed to offer students on-campus mental health support. Supporting students throughout their academic journey, PCS services are confidential, accessible, and free of charge. Our services are tailored to support mental, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. Whether you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need assistance with problem-solving, professional resources are available.

PCS is open Monday through Friday. 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.

Except for our informal “Let’s Talk” program or urgent care, most counseling services require an appointment. For students in need of a low-sensory space, the Relaxation Room is open during normal PCS business hours. Prioritizing your mental health is our priority, and we encourage you to be proactive when it comes to taking care of you.

Mental Health Resources

For support beyond Edgewood College’s Personal Counseling Services, explore our page dedicated to additional mental health resources.

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.

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 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.

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.

Individual Counseling

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.

Let’s Talk Drop-In Consultation

“Let’s Talk” is a free, drop-in service offering informal, confidential consultations with Edgewood College Personal Counseling Services. Consultants hold walk-in hours at our on-campus location during the academic year, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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