Pro Bono Counseling Volunteers Expand Maryland Mental Health Access | | |
When a woman in her 70’s was experiencing a series of health challenges over a five-year period, she thought she had nowhere to turn—until she found Pro Bono Counseling (PBC). Thanks to a PBC volunteer therapist who donated their time and expertise, she has been able to cope during a difficult time.
“Pro Bono Counseling has been a great help,” she recently shared. “It’s been a great source of relief. I really look forward to talking to my therapist every week.”
She added how valuable it’s been to have a safe space to share how she’s feeling and how much it means to access that support without financial stress.
“The fact that I can get this help and don’t have to worry about how to pay for it—if it can help someone else the way it’s helping me, it’s a great thing,” she said.
The woman’s story is just one of over 1,800 lives transformed by PBC volunteers in 2024 alone. Volunteer clinicians donated more than 12,000 hours of counseling to ensure Marylanders in need received access to critical mental health care—care that would have been inaccessible to many without their generosity.
| | Join Us for Pro Bono Counseling's Annual Gratitude Gathering - May 14 | | |
Get your tickets today for PBC’s Gratitude Gathering on Wednesday, May 14, as we celebrate and honor our incredible volunteers for their invaluable contributions to ensuring all Marylanders have access to mental health care. We’ll also recognize our generous supporters and community partners who help make this work possible.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available! By sponsoring this event, your organization will directly support the hundreds of licensed mental health professionals who volunteer their time to serve Marylanders in need.
Don't miss this special evening of appreciation and community!
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| | Stress Awareness Month: Expert Insights from PBC’s Roxanne Melgar | |
April is Stress Awareness Month, and PBC Interim Executive Director Roxanne Melgar, LCSW-C, recently joined the Maryland State Library Agency’s latest podcast to shed light on the impact of stress on both physical and mental health.
In the episode, she shares practical strategies and valuable resources to help navigate stress more effectively.
| | | | Managing Stress Year-Round—How the WARMLine Can Support You | | |
Stress is not confined to a single month—it is a pervasive issue affecting us throughout the year. From rising costs and global conflicts to everyday pressures like work, family, and personal struggles, stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health.
For some, stress makes it hard to sleep, focus, or stay patient. Others experience panic attacks or lose excitement for things they once loved. And if left unchecked? Stress can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, muscle pain, digestive trouble, and even cognitive decline.
But the good news is stress can be manageable. The key is recognizing the early signs and getting support before it takes a toll.
| | | Calling All Bilingual Mental Health Providers—Enhance Your Skills in Spanish! | | |
Join us on Thursday, May 8, for an exclusive online continuing education training designed specifically for bilingual professionals like you! Conducted entirely in Spanish, this workshop will provide essential tools and resources to further strengthen your ability to support diverse communities.
Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your expertise and connect with fellow professionals. Secure your spot today!
| | | Welcome New Pro Bono Counseling Volunteers | | |
Join a community of compassionate professionals dedicated to breaking barriers in mental health care. As a volunteer with Pro Bono Counseling, you’ll gain access to screened and matched clients tailored to your case preferences and availability, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience.
But that’s just the beginning. Volunteers also enjoy case consultations, peer networking, and free online and in-person continuing education workshops, offering 50+ credits annually—keeping you informed, inspired, and at the forefront of your field.
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Welcome to the following mental health clinicians who joined PBC as volunteers last month!
- Melba Calderon, LCSW-C
- Jennifer Neeman, PhD
- Avy Stock, PsyD
- Mark Thiel
Have you considered volunteering with PBC?
If you’re a licensed counselor, social worker, psychologist, or therapist, please join us!
| | Elevate Your Expertise—Attend a PBC Continuing Education Workshop | | |
Take your skills to the next level and continue providing exceptional care to meet the diverse and evolving needs of your clients.
Register today for an upcoming Pro Bono Counseling Continuing Education Workshop, conveniently offered online—making it easier than ever to learn on your schedule.
Are you an active PBC volunteer? Enjoy complimentary access! Clinicians and community members are also invited to attend for a nominal registration fee.
We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming workshop!
| | Pro Bono Counseling's Community Commitments | | |
Pro Bono Counseling (PBC) is dedicated to making mental health support accessible to all Marylanders. As part of this mission, PBC actively engages in community outreach events across the state, working with individuals, families, and organizations to raise awareness about free mental health resources. Through these efforts, PBC helps connect those in need with professional counseling services, ensuring that support is available to anyone seeking help.
If you are hosting a community event and would like PBC to participate, or if you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to PBC's Outreach Manager. Together, we can make mental health care more accessible for all!
| | PBC Resource Corner: Ayuda | |
Ayuda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving low-income immigrants in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. For over 50 years, Ayuda has provided free or low-cost legal, social, and language-accessible services to individuals and families facing challenges such as domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse.
| | Provide Your Neighbor with Mental Health Counseling - Give Today | | |
At Pro Bono Counseling, we believe no one should have to face life's challenges alone. Whether it's stress, anxiety, grief, life transitions, or relationship struggles, everyone deserves compassionate, professional support.
Thanks to our generous donors and volunteer partners, we connect individuals, couples, and families across Maryland with the mental health care they need, regardless of financial circumstances. Because healing should never be out of reach.
You can be part of the solution. With your support, we can ensure that more Marylanders receive the counseling they deserve. Join us in creating a world where mental health care is accessible to all.
Give today and change a life.
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