Frequently Asked Questions
What does Agape mean?
Αγαπη (in English: agape, pronounced "uh-GAH-pay") is one of the four (yes, four!) Greek words that is translated into English as "love". Each Greek word has undertones and nuance that literally get lost in translation. You wouldn't use agape to describe your love for pizza, or the mountains, maybe not even for some of your family members. It's the kind of love that's deep, that not even death can end, that drives someone to be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the good of the one they love. It's the kind of love that doesn't think of the self, it doesn't ask for anything in return, it just wants all good things for the one it loves.
We chose Agape for our name because it gets to the heart of our mission: to spread hope, healing, and mercy to as many people as possible.
I'm interested in therapy with an Orthodox Christian therapist... What do I do next?
We're so glad you found us! Mental health conditions affect the vast majority of people at some point during their lives, and everyone deserves access to timely, affordable, high-quality, compassionate mental health care with a provider who really gets them.
Starting the process of getting connected with an Orthodox therapist is as simple as reaching out! The easiest way is to fill out the form on our website, but you can also call or text at your convenience. A friendly and qualified member of our team will reach out to follow up with you, work to understand your situation, needs, and preferences, and tell you what you can expect next!
I'm interested in becoming an Affiliated Provider with Agape Wellness Collective. What are the requirements? How can I connect with you?
We're humbled and grateful for your interest in partnering with us; we cannot exist without you!
Our basic requirements are: 1) Licensure to provide mental health therapy (e.g. LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, Psy.D., Ph.D., psychiatric MD, etc.), 2) That you are a practicing Orthodox Christian in good standing with the church.
We have a simple process to follow. Please visit the page and follow the steps on the "Therapist Inquiry" page by clicking the button below!
General Questions
Do you have a therapist in my area?
As of July 2025, AWC has affiliated providers licensed to practice in 46 of the 50 U.S. States. At this time, we are only affiliating with therapists located in the United States, but if you are located in another country and reach out to us, we will certainly do our best to help you find someone!
Due to the high standards that AWC's Affiliated Providers must meet, the majority of our therapy services are conducted via telehealth, and in-person services are not available in every area. However, research on telehealth therapy shows no meaningful difference to therapeutic outcomes between services delivered via telehealth v. in-person.
If we are able to match you with an in-person provider, we will do so, but this is not possible in many cases.
Do you take insurance? How much will it cost?
AWC's core commitment to our clients is that we remove as many barriers as possible. This means we want you to get therapy with an Orthodox Christian provider regardless of your insurance status or financial means.
Some of our Affiliated Providers accept insurance, and others do not. When you submit an inquiry, you'll tell us about your insurance situation and financial abilities, and we will work with you to find the best fit that we can.
Agape designed our innovative pay-what-you-can model, so the cost to you is determined on a case-by-case basis. You are asked to contribute what you are truly able. If you are able to cover the therapist's fee, you will be asked to do so. If you are not able to cover the full fee, your therapist will either waive the rest of their fee, or Agape will cover it for you. Please refer to this graphic for further information, and consider your budget prayerfully prior to filling out your inquiry!
**Please note: AWC is not yet able to subsidize treatment, but our commitment to our clients to Pay-What-You-Can will always remain. This means our providers are generously accepting whatever our clients can afford, and in some cases, this is nearly nothing. The St. Dymphna Fund is AWC's dedicated fund reserved exclusively for subsidizing therapy sessions for the clients in the highest financial need (clients who pay <$20/session); please consider giving if you are able!
(Updated July 2025)
You mention throughout your website that you operate on Orthodox Christian principles and affiliate with Orthodox providers. Do you only treat Orthodox clients?
Absolutely not! Agape is for anyone and everyone who would like to use our services.
If a client comes to Agape wanting services but does not share "Orthodox values", or is a member of the LGBTQ community, or is thinking about having an abortion, etc., will they still be welcome and will it be safe to seek services? Will they face discrimination?
Anyone and everyone is welcome to seek services through Agape; no one will be turned away due to financial limitations, how they identify, or the choices they're facing. We do not promote or tolerate any form of discrimination at Agape Wellness Collective; Christ Himself welcomed everyone, regardless of who they were.
We uphold Orthodox values and principles at Agape, and do not advise clients in manners contrary to our faith. We also will never reject or pressure a client to make decisions that they do not want to make. At the end of the day, you are responsible for your life and choices.
Regardless of your faith background, how you were born, the choices you've made, the decisions you've faced, the trauma you've endured, you are welcome, valued, and respected at Agape. We love, because we are loved. We want to be part of the change we all so desperately need to see.
What is your commitment to diversity and nondiscrimination?
Everything Agape Wellness Collective stands for is centered in advancing equity, social justice, and fairness, actively promoting diversity, rejection of all forms of discrimination, and a fierce commitment to love despite differences and even personal injury.
Christ Himself modeled this for us - rejecting the wisdom of His time of simply doing good to those who do good to you, but engaging in intentional acts of love to all people. By intervening to save the life of a woman who could have, according to the law of the time, be killed in the streets for sleeping with a man who wasn't her husband. By not thinking twice of the social consequences of getting weird looks, getting talked about by those around Him, because He chose to associate with "sinners" and the outcasts of society. By praying for the forgiveness of the people driving stakes through His hands as He was put to death.
Regardless of your faith background, your social status, how you were born, the choices you've made, the decisions you've faced, the trauma you've endured, you are welcome, valued, and respected at Agape. We love, because we are loved. We want to be part of the change we all so desperately need to see.
Do you or your providers "preach at" or "proselytize" your clients?
No. Our philanthropic mission of providing mental health care is rooted in Orthodox Christian values, but we do not forcing anything on our clients. Our name is the Greek word Αγαπη (agape) - the type of love that is real, sacrificial, deep, selfless, enduring. The type of love that knows it's only real if it's rooted in freedom. And if it's forced, it's not free. We believe that and we live it, and that means that we as an organization, and the providers that we contract with, as people and as professionals, are committed to neither preaching nor proselytizing, and just being reflections of mercy, hope, and healing to our clients.
Commitment to All Clientele
Does Agape provide spiritual direction?
No. Mental health treatment is not spiritual direction and should not be treated as such. In general, therapists are not trained as theologians and spiritual guides, and most priests are not trained as mental health professionals. Although there can certainly be areas of overlaps, these two realms are distinct and require different training. The advantage (and often times, necessity) of a dedicated Christian working with both a spiritual father and with a professional therapist is having both spiritual and psychological guidance and expertise. Many mental health conditions could have a foot in both camps, so to speak.
Are all of your providers really Orthodox Christians?
Yes! We are grateful to be in dialogue and coordination with the Assembly of Bishops Mental Health Ministries, and verify that all of our providers are both licensed to practice psychotherapy, and are in good standing with their local parishes on an ongoing basis. In the contracts we establish, the providers affirm that they are, to the best of their ability, striving to live their lives in accordance with the Orthodox Christian faith.
Are you open to contracting with faithful Roman Catholic and/or Protestant providers?
We are grateful for and humbled by the interest. At this time, we are focusing our efforts on contracting with Orthodox Christian providers.
That being said, Agape is supportive of genuine ecumenical efforts (see more) that are being made to promote productive dialogue, mutual understanding, and, God willing, true unity rooted in the Truth Who is Christ Himself among apostolic Christians, especially with the Roman Catholic church. It is our sincere hope and prayer that we can labor to fulfill the heart of Christ's high priestly prayer, "that [we] may all be one" (John 17:21).
Regarding Orthodoxy
Why do some religious people seem to be wary of therapy?
For many people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, marital issues, addiction, or other mental health challenges in religious communities, they may have heard something along the lines of...
"Oh, you're [insert label here]? That means you need to pray more! The Bible says that those who mourn shall be comforted, and those who......."
"You just need to trust in God's providence, He has a plan for you." awkwardly avoids it forever
"Maybe if you went to confession and Liturgy (or Mass or church or services) more often, you wouldn't feel this way."
"You don't need a therapist. You need Jesus. Therapists will give you the wrong advice."
When people say these things, they're trying to encourage our faith in Christ, which is a beautiful and important thing! But when we're struggling, confused, or sick, we need to ask for help. We readily avail ourselves of the wisdom and expertise of medical doctors, academic teachers or professors, business experts, lawyers, and other professionals when needed, and yet when it comes to caring for our mental health, there is still a lingering fear, particularly within many religious communities. This may stem either from 1) stigma, the fear of being judged or shamed for struggling and seeking help, or 2) from the fear of talking with someone who has different values and who doesn't understand ours.
Agape Wellness Collective exists so that you don't have to choose among quality mental health care, affordability, and having your faith values and priorities being understood, not only on the surface level, but from the inside.
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Agape Wellness Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
