EDGEWOOD COLLEGE PERSONAL COUNSELING SERVICES

Edgewood College's Personal Counseling Services is a place on campus where you can talk with someone confidentially about a concern.

You can talk to one of Edgewood College's experienced personal counselors about a range of issues to get perspective, to experience relief and healing, and to help in decision-making.

Edgewood College's Personal Counseling Services strives to offer a safe environment for people of all races, sexual identities, genders, religious affiliation or economic status.

ONLINE SCREENING
Click here to Screen for Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress
Sponsored by the National Depression Screening Day Foundation

Click here for additional Information and screening for depression
Sponsored by Edgewood College Personal Counseling Services

Talking to a counselor is a common experience for college students. Counselors can offer assistance for issues ranging from dealing with parents or fitting in socially as well as other issues like depression or anxiety. Seeking help with a counselor is a sign of strength and maturity rather than weakness or illness. The experience can free your energies for school and for having fun. If you have a persistent worry or concern, seeing a counselor is a good first step to getting through the issue.

How To Make An Appointment
Make an appointment by calling the Student Resource Center's front desk at 663-2281 (extension 2281 if you are using an on-campus phone) or by stopping in the counseling offices located inside the Student Resource Center, DeRicci Hall, room 206.

Personal Counseling Services are offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm during the academic year (excluding college breaks and the summer months of June and July).

A specific counselor may be requested if you desire. If you have a preference for a male or female counselor, please note this as well.

If you are in urgent need of talking to a counselor, please state that to the receptionist!

Confidentiality: Services provided by the counseling center are confidential. This means that no information will be shared without the student's written permission authorizing release of information. Exceptions to this policy occur where there is risk of harm to self or others, or in the case of abuse or neglect of children.

What to Do in a Crisis
If you are experiencing an emotional crisis and/or have the urge to harm yourself or others, you may want to contact the nearest available friend or family member to talk to or to be with you if they are available. However, do not hesitate or wait until someone becomes available. Please call the Personal Counseling Center. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!

Janet Billerbeck, ACSW, LCSW
Director of Personal Counseling
DeRicci 206; 663-2281
billerbk@edgewood.edu
Janet received her MSSW degree from UW-Madison. She has work experience both in community clinic settings and in higher education. Janet works with students, staff, and faculty individually and in small groups on issues such as depression, panic, test anxiety, sexual assault, relationship and adjustment issues, grief, and eating disorders. Her work also involves outreach to help heighten awareness on issues related to health and well-being.

jboyne@edgwood.edu
John received an MA in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counseling from the University of Iowa in 2001. Since 2002 he has worked with students, faculty or staff around Alcohol and Other Drug issues and offers AODA assessment, individual treatment or referrals when appropriate. He also offers counseling around other mental health issues such as depression, anger management and anxiety. He coordinates the peer education group that promotes healthy choices and low-risk drinking or abstinence from alcohol.

The Personal Counseling Office coordinates two Peer Educator groups that focus on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Physical and Emotional Wellness. The AODA peer educators encourage abstinence from alcohol or other drugs or low-risk drinking for those who choose to drink. The Physical and Emotional Wellness group promotes healthy choices around eating, body image, stress, and depression among other topics. Both groups use group presentations to students and promotional media to encourage students to move toward healthier choices. For more information about becoming a peer educator contact John Boyne at 663-3383 or mailto:jboyne@edgewood.edu.

Helping a friend: You may encounter a friend or fellow student whose behavior concerns you. The person may show signs of excessive alcohol use, depression or suicidal thoughts, self harm (such as cutting oneself), or an eating disorder. While it is important to avoid attempting to counsel the person around serious issues, there are things you can do that may encourage the person to get help.

Express your concern: Describe what behavior concerns you and how it makes you feel; avoid labeling or diagnosing (for example, avoid saying “I think you’re an alcoholic”).
Take the time to listen: Be non-judgmental, encourage the friend to talk, express compassion for his or her difficulty.
Encourage your friend to consider seeking support. Help them see the value in seeking support from friends, family or a counselor. Educate yourself on resources that might be useful to your friend such as the Edgewood Personal Counseling Services or other counseling resources.
Seek support for yourself or your friend if there is danger: You can talk with Edgewood counselors about a friend without sharing their name or you can ask for help if you are worried that your friend is in danger.

Your support can make a difference: You can offer to make a call to get help or you can offer to accompany a friend to seek help.

3 Steps to Helping a Suicidal Person
1. Concern
     Notice signs of depression and risk of suicide and show your concern.
2. Connect
      Reach out.
      Don't be afraid to ask questions.
      Offer your belief that help is available.
3. Convince
      Convince the person of the need for immediate help. Give the phone numbers and addresses of sources of help. Offer to make the call or go with them. DON"T PROMISE SECRECY. If the person does not accept help, call the local 24-hour crisis line or emergency services.

This website provides information about suicide and suicide prevention. It is helpful to individuals who are depressed, considering suicide, to survivors of suicide, and to those concerned about a friend or loved one.

The mission of this site is to reduce suicide on campuses and to strengthen the safety net for students at risk.

This site offers information and resources about Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Binge eating disorder, and other less-well-known eating disorders

This site is dedicated to raising awareness, while emphasizing always that Eating Disorders are NOT about food and weight; They are just the symptoms of something deeper going on, inside. We are determined to remind each and every sufferer that they are not alone, and that complete recovery is possible.

National Eating Disorders Association: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Information about eating disorders and body image, how to get help, and how to help a friend.

Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide: www.bulimiaguide.org
Website offering a resource guide on bulimia for concerned friends and family members.

Mental Health Topics
Campus Blues: www.campusblues.com
A helpful resource for college students about a variety of wellness and mental health issues, including current topics on college campuses.

The National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
A site devoted to research on mental illness and behavioral disorders

Ulifeline: http://www.ulifeline.org/schools/edgewood
The pain is real. Remember that the next time someone tells you to "snap out of it" or "quit feeling sorry for yourself." More college students struggle with depression, anxiety and other issues than you'd think. Nearly half have felt so depressed that it was difficult to function. Through ULifeline, learn about the warning signs, find help on your campus, and connect with students across the country. Half of Us is way too many to be dealing with this alone.

Self Injury
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends): www.selfinjury.com
Information on causes of self harm behavior, what it is, and how to get help

Sleep
National Sleep Foundation: www.sleepfoundation.org
Interesting interactive website with information about sleep disturbances and how to get a better night's rest.

The Better Sleep Council: www.bettersleep.org

Bipolar Illness
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: www.dbsalliance.org
Excellent resource for understanding bipolar illness, for those struggling with the illness and for concerned friends and family members.

Anger Management
American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/topics/controlanger.html

Virtual Pamphlets Online:
Personal Counseling Center at the University of Chicago: http://counseling.uchicago.edu/vpc This excellent student virtual pamphlet collection from the University of Chicago includes articles about numerous subjects such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, panic, sleep problems, test anxiety, anger, substance abuse

General directions for brief relaxation exercises; click on #39: Meditation and Relaxation

How to Find a Mental Health Professional Off Campus

Community Agencies in Madison
The Family Center
404 Glenway St. Madison, WI Phone: 608-663-6154
Sponsored by the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate program of Edgewood College
~ Sliding scale, affordable fees

Catholic Charities
30 South Franklin Street Madison, WI Phone: 608-256-2358
Open to all faiths ~ Sliding scale fees available

Lutheran Social Services
5 Odana Court Madison, WI Phone: 608-277-0610
Open to all faiths ~ Sliding scale fees available

Family Services
128 East Olin Drive, Madison, WI Phone: 608-252-1320
~Sliding scale fees available.

Counselors/Therapists and Doctors on your Health Insurance Plan
HMO's in Dane County such as Dean Care, Group Health, Physician's Plus and Unity cover health care providers within their system. To meet with one of their health care providers, call either your primary care physician or the Mental Health or Behavioral Health phone number of your insurance company. You can contact an Edgewood College personal counselor to recommend therapists either on your health insurance plan or at one of the community agencies in Madison. Health insurance plans other than HMO's can cover a range of providers.

24 Hour Crisis Lines
24 Hour Crisis Line, Suicide Prevention Line, Phone: 608-280-2600
A service of the Mental Health Center