During their stay at EDGE – a Chicago-based transitional living community for young adult students attending college, vocational programs, certificate programs, and other post-secondary solutions – students receive support from a large team of behavioral health professionals while on their journeys to independence. Whether a student needs help finding direction with a life coach, acing their exams with an education advisor, figuring out their healthy lifestyle plan with the dietician and fitness instructors, or even landing an internship with the help of career coordinator, students have access to a wealth of resources at EDGE, but the one person they won’t find is a live-in counselor.

Why?

It’s a question EDGE is asked often, and while the answer has many nuanced factors, Program Director Brittany Tolar, LCSW, summarizes it best. “We believe in tailoring services to the individual, which means assisting them with finding the right therapist, specifically for their unique personality and current clinical needs.”

To assign every EDGE student the same counselor would be to assume every student has the same needs and goals – which simply isn’t the case. Every student is an individual with their own unique needs and goals. By utilizing the abundant network of counselors in Chicago, students can find someone who specializes in their specific needs, has availability to continue treatment once a student’s time at EDGE is done, and, most importantly, communicates in a way that the student “clicks” with. Research shows that a high-quality relationship between a counselor and client is one of the key elements for success in therapy. 

Finding the right counselor is critical. Once a student identifies a counselor they’d like to meet with, the EDGE Learning and Wellness team will work closely with that counselor to ensure their programming works in collaboration with EDGE’s programming to help the student along in treatment. “A part of my role that I love is collaborating with these providers and developing strong relationships,” Tolar explained. “It allows external providers to really understand the supports a student has while at EDGE in order to strengthen the therapy skills outside of their weekly meetings and ensure our clinical approach is aligned to best serve the needs of the young person.”  

In addition to improving the student’s experience, outsourcing therapy also teaches key life skills. While the EDGE Learning and Wellness team is there to help and ensure students receive treatment, identifying the right therapist, verifying insurance, calling to place appointments, and getting to appointments on time, is very much in the hands of the student. This allows them to practice developing their life skills and continue on in their journey to independence.

About EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community

EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community is an accredited transitional living program located in Chicago, IL. EDGE offers therapeutically supported residential and non-residential options for post-treatment young adults. The participants, ages 18 -24, are striving to excel academically while creating a life of balance, joy, and wellness.