Wishing You a Blessed Nativity Fast, and a Joyous Thanksgiving!

We are so grateful for the past 13 months. When we started AWC in October 2024, we weren't sure what to expect, but the Lord has blessed us beyond measure - thank you.

Please consider becoming a monthly supporter! We cannot do this work without you, and the need is great - read on!

Agape Wellness Collective exists to help people connect with and afford mental health services with Orthodox Christian providers nationwide. We believe that who you choose to see for therapy matters, that your faith and values make you who you are, and that they inform how you understand yourself and the world. You can rest assured that AWC-Affiliated Therapists not only understand your faith - they live it.

Learn more about us here.

Winter 2025 Updates & Announcements

• The St. Dymphna Fund -- Giving Tuesday/ EOY Appeal! 12% of clients seeking therapy through AWC are uninsured, underinsured, or can afford less than $20/ session. The St. Dymphna Fund sets aside funds to ensure that as many people as possible can still see an Orthodox therapist, but the reality is that almost all of these clients are being referred outside of the AWC network, because the St. Dymphna Fund is depleted.

  • Our Giving Tuesday and End-of-2025 Giving Campaign aims to restore just a portion of these funds. https://givebutter.com/XzzoUF

  • Please consider joining in the mission of showing agape and supporting the mental health of people you worship with every week by fasting from just one lunch out each month and becoming a recurring donor.

• Root & Table Support Groups: AWC has launched several support groups, led by AWC providers but intended as a less-intensive, low-cost way to add supplemental support. Please spread the word! https://agape-wellnesscollective.org/groups

• OCAMPR Conference 2025: We had a great time at OCAMPR meeting and re-meeting so many fellow Orthodox therapists; the First Annual AWC OCAMPR Group Photo is featured below! Megan Bonynge and Pres. Krista Fedorchak's presentation is also posted online for anyone interested: https://agape-wellnesscollective.org/ie-groups#ocampr25

First Year Recap & Gratitude

• Our First Year By the Numbers

  • Incorporated in October 2024, held our first Board Meeting in December 2024, and started connected clients in March 2025.

  • From March of 2025 through November of 2025 (~9 months), AWC has served...

    • Over 200 clients seeking Orthodox Christian counseling

    • ...in 34 states

    • ...in 5 different countries!

    • And that's not counting the dozens of folks we've served through our Root & Table Support Groups!

  • How People Find Us:

    • 52% Word-of-Mouth - Moreover, 1 in 5 people overall are coming directly from the Church. Thank you for speaking up about the importance of caring for mental health!

    • 23% Google/ Search - We've noticed an upward trend lately; people are intentionally seeking us out. Please consider making a donation as the year comes to a close - we need your help to do this work!

    • 11% Social Media - We are seeking volunteers to join our social media team! Please reach out to us at contact@agape-wellnesscollective.org

  • About Our Clients:

    • ~12% are uninsured, underinsured, or can afford less than $20/session.

      • Please consider giving the gift of faith-conscious therapy to these clients in need this holiday season! https://givebutter.com/XzzoUF

    • ~15% need specialized referrals based on their clinical needs or circumstances

    • ~11% would likely not have gotten care had they not found AWC

    • Over 80% of people who contact AWC are matched with an Orthodox therapist who are in-network with their insurance or who can accommodate their funding range.

    • Fewer than 4% are given a referral to a therapist who is entirely not faith-based, and this is always for clinical reasons.

• We are grateful for our many ongoing collaborations and partnerships with organizations and individuals across the country. The list is ever-growing and we cannot publicly acknowledge them all. However, we want to publicly thank:

  • The Assembly of Bishops Mental Health Ministries

  • Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR)

  • National & Local Philoptochos Chapters

  • Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)

  • Orthodox Christian College Counseling (OCCC)

  • All of you for your prayers.

Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has.
This requires transforming greed into gratitude.

- St. John Chrysostom