Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Services

Tools and resources to support your mental health

On-campus services

Our team members are licensed clinicians from counseling, social work, chemical dependency, psychology, and psychiatry. Our therapists are trained to help you explore your thoughts and feelings while providing support and nonjudgmental listening. We are a confidential resource on campus that includes both therapy and medication management options for behavioral health concerns. For psychotherapy services, our clinicians use a brief therapy model. This means that our approach focuses on short-term, goal-oriented treatment rather than long-term, open-ended therapy. A brief therapy model typically involves a limited number of sessions with a clear focus on addressing specific issues or achieving specific goals.

There are many reasons a student may seek out counseling. They may be seeking support over academic stress or relationship troubles. They might be struggling with living away from home for the first time or the death of a loved one. They might be feeling anxious or upset frequently and having trouble working through their feelings on their own. These are just a few examples of the kinds of struggles with which counseling can help. If you are struggling and need support, please call to set up an appointment today.”

All services begin with an evaluation to assess your circumstances and needs to ensure we are able to offer an appropriate level of care. Intake appointments are your first therapy session in which you talk with a therapist about your current concerns and your goals for counseling. You may be asked to complete surveys prior to, or at the start of your visit. During the appointment, your therapist will talk with you about your presenting concerns, as well as ask questions about your mental health history, identities, social supports, coping patterns, and other relevant aspects of your life. This helps your therapist to understand not just your concerns and symptoms, but also your strengths and protective factors that can be helpful in your treatment plan. Your provider will then work with you to develop a treatment plan, including any diagnosis and recommendations. If a student is assessed at the outset or at any point during treatment to need different or more consistent or intensive services than we can offer, we will assist with linking to appropriate resources in the community.

If you currently have a treating provider for your behavioral health, and you are able to maintain that relationship while you are at Denison, we encourage you to continue that relationship to maintain continuity of care. Students seeing providers off campus can utilize telehealth rooms in the Hoaglin Wellness center for virtual appointments and can still access Hoaglin services for urgent concerns.

Reserve a Teletherapy Room

To schedule an appointment at Hoaglin Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, please call 740-587-6200. If you are a returning client, you can call and request to resume with your previous clinician or message them directly via MyChart. For urgent or immediate concerns, you can connect with a licensed clinician through Denison’s 24/7 On-call Counseling Service at 740-587-6647. Students can access the service whether at home, on campus, or studying abroad. For additional support lines, view additional resources.

Individual Counseling

Ultimately, students are the agents of their mental health. Entering into counseling with a licensed clinician is a collaborative effort, which is available to all students at Denison and through our partnership with OSU Wexner Medical Center.

Hours & Appointments

Same Day Crisis Clinic Appointments

Hoaglin Behavioral Health & Psychiatry holds Crisis Clinic hours Monday through Friday from 2-4 p.m. to address imminent mental health concerns. These appointments are brief stabilization visits reserved for students experiencing acute distress related to events such as suicidal thoughts/behaviors, acute trauma, and other urgent safety concerns. We ask that students in crisis arrive by 3:20 p.m. to allow appropriate time to address their concerns.

In addition, all enrolled Denison students always have access to the Denison 24/7 on-call counseling service at 740-587-6647. Students can call this service anytime, from anywhere.

Hours & Appointments

24/7 On-Call Counseling Service

For urgent or immediate concerns, you can connect with a licensed clinician through Denison’s 24/7 On-call Counseling Service at 740-587-6647. Students can access the service whether at home, on campus, or studying abroad. For additional support lines, view additional resources.

Psychiatric Care

Our partnership with the OSU Wexner Medical Center includes medical providers who are able to prescribe and manage most medications for students. A combination of counseling and medication management may be most helpful for managing symptoms and improving overall well-being.

Help Others in Distress

Counseling staff can consult with members of the Denison community about counseling or mental health related concerns pertaining to a student. As always, our confidentiality policies are in place. Contact the Wellness Center for more information or report a concern for a student.

Groups & training

Check out the group and workshop offerings for Fall 2026! Sign up on What ToDU.

Emotional Wellness Lab
Participants will learn how to practice mindfulness, navigate distress, manage emotions, and improve relationships. Sessions focus on a new skill or strategy and include check-ins on weekly diary cards for putting these skills into practice.
Thursdays at 11:30 a.m., starting Sept. 10 — Hoaglin Counseling Group Room
Roll For Courage: TTRPG Group
Roll for Courage uses tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) to learn how to navigate stressful social situations. Players can expect to get hands-on practice with boundary setting, problem solving, and collaboration – all while solving a fun mystery! Interested? Email Gamemaster Kelsey Wynne (wynnek@denison.edu) for more info!
Dates/Times TBD
Practically Imperfect: Improv Workshop
In this workshop, participants will engage in improv games to practice breaking out of perfectionist thought patterns and learn how to apply the principles of improv in everyday life!
Sept. 3 at 11:30 a.m. — Hoaglin Movement Room
Testing Anxiety
From forming health habits to managing your self-talk, learn these skills and more to help break the cycle of anxiety that comes up around the time of your exams! Led by licensed counselor Clayton Schmidt.
Monday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. — Hoaglin Counseling Group Room
Just Do It (ADHD)
Come to this workshop led by Sheila Jones and develop ways to overcome ADD/HD barriers such as procrastination, distraction, and disorganization. Strategies for academic success await!
Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. — Hoaglin Multipurpose Room 102
The CROWN Connection
A joint initiative that is led by Dioswal Cook M.A., LPCC-S and the Office of Belonging and Inclusion, The CROWN Connection offers participants a supportive space to prioritize their well-being through dynamic conversations and access to physical wellness resources such as the natural hair care vending machine inside of Slayter Union, and engaging students through interactive activities that are open to all.
Meetings on Sept. 22, Oct. 6, and Dec. 1 at noon
Can We Talk? Healthy Relationships
Whether it be a roommate dispute, struggles with a long-distance partnership, or building new friendships, relationships can get complicated as you balance life as a student! Join licensed counselor Clayton Schmidt as he offers strategies to help you manage conflicts with others, communicate effectively, and accept the limits of control that you have within your relationships!
Monday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. — Hoaglin Counseling Group Room
Yoga Connection
Led by Sheila Jones, this workshop uses yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques to help you tune into your body to increase awareness, healing, and wellness.
Monday, Oct. 12 at 4:30 p.m. — Hoaglin Movement Studio 103
Self-Compassion Workshop
Everybody say love! We’re at the point in the semester where you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and burnout. When was the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Drank some water? Join licensed counselor Clayton Schmidt to come up with some ways how to treat yourself the way you would treat a loved one in your life.
Friday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m.