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As the year comes to a close, we at All Souls Counseling Center want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and community for another year of support, connection, and compassion.
The holiday season can bring joy and togetherness, and it can also be a time of stress, grief, or loneliness. We encourage you to care for your mental and emotional well-being by taking moments to rest, set boundaries, and connect in ways that feel meaningful to you. Even small acts of self-kindness—such as a walk outside, a deep breath, or a quiet moment of reflection—can make a difference.
This season, may you find peace in simplicity, hope in community, and warmth in knowing that you are not alone.
We wish you a joyful and restorative holiday season!
| | Community Meals in Spruce Pine and Barnardsville | | |
In November, we continued our series of free community meals to help support connection, healing, and resilience in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Spruce Pine Community Lunch – November 5
We hosted our 8th free community meal in Spruce Pine, catered by DT’s Blue Ridge Java Coffee Shop and Café. Community members and staff from local organizations gathered over a meal to support one another and share resources through ongoing recovery.
ASCC Therapist and Clinical Director, Adam Lewis, LCSW, led a meaningful discussion on resiliency, introducing the concept of the “window of tolerance” and how stress and trauma can narrow our ability to cope. The group also practiced grounding techniques, including breathwork and a hearing-based mindfulness exercise to support emotional well-being.
Barnardsville Community Dinner – November 17
We also had a wonderful turnout at the Barnardsville Community Dinner at the Barnardsville Fire Department. Neighbors came together for connection and conversation on the road to recovery post-Helene. Dinner was provided by BBQ Blues, and ASCC therapist Adam Lewis guided the group through breathing exercises and Core Resilience Skills such as emotional awareness, flexible thinking, connection and support, and self-compassion.
We were also able to share information about ASCC’s mental health services, and Alan Groch from the Barnardsville Area Resilience Network (BARN) offered an update on their Long Term Recovery Group efforts supporting the area.
We are grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for sponsoring these free community meals and helping bring resources, connection, and support to hard-hit communities.
| | Now through January 2, when Fred Anderson Subaru customers purchase or lease a new vehicle, Subaru will donate $325 to a nonprofit of their choice. We’re honored to be selected as a local nonprofit beneficiary of this wonderful winter campaign. | | Bank of America State of Philanthropy & Celebration Breakfast | | |
On November 13, Executive Director Meredith Switzer and Development Director Mary Waller attended the 2025 Bank of America Asheville/WNC State of Philanthropy & Celebration Breakfast held at Blue Ridge Community College.
Hosted by David Dowd, Market President for Bank of America Asheville/WNC, the event included a presentation by Bank of America’s National Philanthropic Strategy Executive, who shared current trends in philanthropy and the emphasis on giving from the heart.
All Souls Counseling Center was honored to be recognized during the event as one of Bank of America’s partners in empowering communities. Following the breakfast, participants took part in a community assessment conversation led by April Brown of Bank of America, joined by service organizations from across the region.
The morning was a meaningful opportunity for learning, reflection, and deepening connections with many of our community collaborators.
| | Episode 6 focuses on what might be counterintuitive—slowing down. While the rest of humanity seems determined to race to the finish, what would it look like to take a page from our nature friends and carve out some time to do the opposite? Please join us for this Soul Sessions podcast, then tune in on December 15th for a discussion of Holiday Stress Management and Self-care tips, just in time for the holiday season. Remember to comment, subscribe, and give us a rating, if you feel so inclined. | | 'Tis the Season to Help our Neighbors in Need | | |
As we head into December, the need for affordable mental health care in Western North Carolina remains urgent and likely to increase next year. More individuals, couples, and organizations are reaching out for support than ever, and your generosity helps ensure they can access counseling without financial barriers—especially in our rural and other underserved communities.
With demand continuing to rise, your gifts make a real and immediate impact. They allow us to expand capacity, hire full-time therapists, and build partnerships across WNC so care is truly within reach. This season, can you help us bring hope and healing to our neighbors in need with a monthly or one-time gift?
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All Souls is honored to be featured again this year in the Give!Local campaign, presented by Mountain Xpress, celebrating local non-profits making a difference in our community. Pick up a copy of Mountain Xpress to learn more about the amazing organizations serving Western North Carolina.
We’re grateful to be included and to have your support. Thanks to you, we can continue providing hope and healing to neighbors facing difficult times.
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As we close out the year, we’re filled with gratitude for our clients, partners, and community who make our work possible.
Please note that our Center will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25th for Christmas, as well as Wednesday, December 31st and Thursday, January 1st for the New Year holidays. We’ll reopen with regular hours 9 AM–5 PM on Friday, January 2.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, please contact Mobile Crisis at (888) 573-1006 or Comprehensive Care Center in Asheville at (828) 254-2700.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year. 🎄✨
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We are incredibly grateful to receive a new generous grant from the Governor's Crime Commission, enabling us to serve victims of federal crimes at no cost. This vital funding allows All Souls Counseling Center to fill a critical mental health care gap in Western North Carolina—removing the financial barrier so these clients can acccess the support they need to recover and stabilize their lives after trauma.
This grant ensures that underserved victims of crime in WNC, with a focus on victimized LGBTQ+ adults, can access quality mental health counseling, including psychiatric referrals when needed, to help them heal from the effects of the crimes they have survived.
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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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