Let's Talk About Our Mental Health | | |
At All Souls Counseling Center, we believe that mental health is just as important as physical health—and May is the perfect time to prioritize it. Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that it's okay to ask for help, that you are not alone, and that support is available.
Whether you're managing anxiety, navigating a major life transition, or just feeling overwhelmed, taking care of your mental well-being is essential. Simple steps like getting enough sleep, staying connected with others, spending time outdoors, or talking with a therapist can make a meaningful difference.
All Souls Counseling is here for you. Our team of 19 licensed therapists provide compassionate, affordable sliding scale counseling to adults across Western North Carolina. Our therapists are available for both in person and virtual sessions. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness—and we’re ready to walk alongside you on your path to healing and growth.
Explore our Mental Health Resources to find local support and national support, or call our Center at (828) 259-3369 to get connected with a therapist.
| | Meet Shawna Ohle, LCMHC – Our New Full-Time Therapist | | |
All Souls Counseling Center is proud to welcome Shawna Ohle, LCMHC, as our newest full-time therapist. Shawna earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 and is both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. With a background that includes providing support to individuals impacted by incarceration and working with local domestic violence and reentry programs, Shawna brings a deep commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered care. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic stress, incorporating mindfulness, attachment theory, and acceptance and commitment therapy into her work.
As Shawna shares, "I chose to become a therapist because it feels important to me to bring more safety and connection into a world that can sometimes be full of suffering. Connecting with others has always been something that has brought me great comfort and it’s a great honor to be able to be with people, and support people as they navigate life's challenges." We’re thrilled to have Shawna join our mission to expand access to affordable mental health care in our community.
| | $25,000 Grant Brings Healing to the Table | | |
We are incredibly grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for awarding All Souls Counseling Center a $25,000 grant as part of their $500,000 commitment to support long-term recovery efforts across western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
This funding is helping us launch a series of Community Dinners—gatherings focused on fostering connection, support, and access to local mental health resources in some of the hardest-hit areas.
We’ve already hosted our first dinner in Hot Springs, in partnership with Solid Rock Full Gospel Church, and we’re excited to announce the following scheduled community dinners:
- Saluda, NC on May 7th 5:30PM at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
- Swannanoa, NC on May 29th 5:30PM at The Swannanoa Public Library in partnership with Resources for Resilience
- Bat Cave, NC on June 5th 5:30PM at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
These dinners are about more than a meal—they’re about healing together. We’re honored to partner with Duke Energy in supporting the mental health and resilience of our mountain communities.
Interested in learning more about the free community dinners? Reach out to Victoria Hensley, Outreach & Community Engagement Manager at victoria@allsoulscounseling.org.
| | Our PSA Message to WNC: You Are Not Alone | | |
We’re proud to share our mental health PSA, produced in partnership with WLOS News 13, to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind our community that support is always within reach.
This powerful message features the voices of local volunteers and reflects our shared commitment to emotional well-being in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and beyond.
A heartfelt thank you to WLOS for their continued support—and to everyone helping us share this message of hope and healing.
Watch and share the video today at www.allsoulscounseling.org
| | New Community-Based Therapy Program Launches in Downtown Asheville | | ASCC Therapist Shawna Ohle (left) with First Baptist Church Coordinating Pastor Casey Callahan (right), pictured at First Baptist Church in downtown Asheville. | | |
All Souls Counseling Center is excited to announce a new partnership with First Baptist Church of Asheville, launching a 6-month pilot community-based therapy program that brings mental health support directly into the heart of an already thriving network of care.
Every Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, First Baptist opens its doors for a remarkable community outreach effort. Community members are invited to enjoy a hot meal, access to a "free grocery store" stocked with pantry staples, fresh produce, eggs, and meats, as well as donated clothing and essential hygiene items for both men and women. Compassionate volunteers are on hand throughout, creating a warm and welcoming experience for all.
Now, with the presence of Shawna Ohle, LCMHC, a full-time therapist from All Souls Counseling Center, community members will also have access to on-site mental health support. Whether someone simply needs a listening ear or prefers a quiet, private space to talk, Shawna offers a gentle, nonjudgmental presence—ready to meet people where they are with empathy and understanding.
We’re honored to be part of this holistic, community-rooted effort to support those facing challenges with food insecurity, housing instability, and emotional stress—and to be part of a model of care that truly reflects our mission: mental health for all.
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📢 Free Counseling for Asheville’s Food & Beverage Workers!
| | 3rd Annual Hope is in Bloom at Highland Brewing Event Space | | |
We’re just two weeks away from our 3rd annual Hope is in Bloom fundraiser on Thursday, May 22nd at the Highland Brewing Company Event Space — and we’d be honored to have you with us.
✨ Event Highlights:
✔️ Live music by The Lefties
✔️ Food from Chai Pani, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, and Twisted Laurel
✔️ Engaging panel speakers on mental health in WNC
✔️ Presentation of the Pam Penland Mental Health Champion Award
✔️ Connect with community leaders, sponsors, and advocates
Event Panel Speakers include:
Leah Wong Ashburn
CEO
Highland Brewing Company
Adam Lewis, LCSW
Therapist and Mental Health Educator
All Souls Counseling Center
Amanda Edwards
Chair, Buncombe County Commission
| | In remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to our country, All Souls Counseling Center will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours (9 AM–5 PM) on Tuesday, May 27. | | |
All Souls Counseling Center (ASCC) | 828-259-3369 | allsoulscounseling.org
ASCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (EIN: 56-2200862).
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