Easing Into August: A Season of Self-Care | | |
As summer winds down and the school season begins, August brings a natural sense of transition- new routines, changing schedules, and fresh demands on our energy. It’s also National Wellness Month, a perfect time to reflect on what truly supports our mental and emotional well-being. At All Souls Counseling Center, we understand that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, nor is it only for times of crisis. Instead, it’s found in steady daily practices: moments of rest, setting boundaries to protect our time, and habits that nourish both body and mind. These help us navigate change with greater ease.
This month, take a moment to consider what wellness looks like for you right now. It might be five mindful breaths before your morning coffee, a walk outside between tasks, or a lunch with a friend. With fall approaching- and the anniversary of past challenges like Hurricane Helene on the horizon- emotional undercurrents may arise. You might feel unsettled or reflective without knowing why. These feelings are valid, and caring for them is an important part of whole-person wellness. Whether managing everyday stress or deeper emotions, small acts of self-care and awareness can help keep you grounded. Let August be a time for intentional, compassionate choices that support your well-being, both in the obvious and the subtle ways.
| | Soul Sessions Episode 2 Drops August 15th | | |
ASCC's Soul Sessions Episode 2 will be released on Friday, August 15th and will cover "The Basics of Mindfulness: Part 2", featuring All Souls Counseling Center therapist Adam Lewis, LCSW. In this episode, Adam continues exploring core mindfulness skills from a DBT perspective—offering practical tools to help you stay present, grounded, and more connected to yourself.
If you missed Episode 1, you can find it here or on many favorite podcast platforms. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, these short episodes offer practical tools to support your mental health.
| | The Big Wiener Party: Laughter, Hot Dogs & Mental Health Support for Asheville's Food and Beverage Workers | | |
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 9, and prepare for an unforgettable afternoon of outrageous toppings, cold brews, and laugh-out-loud fun — all in support of a vital cause. The Big Wiener Party is Asheville’s most over-the-top hot dog showdown, hosted at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ in partnership with the Asheville Comedy Festival. From 2–6 PM on the South Slope, nine creative teams will dress up hundreds of hot dogs in wild and whimsical toppings, all competing for the crown: King or Queen Wiener.
Hosted by food-world personalities Kyle “The Vulgar Chef” Marcoux and Dan “The Food In My Beard” Whalen, this culinary circus brings together Asheville’s best chefs, brewers, and comedians for a one-of-a-kind competition. Judges include DJ Jeremy Greene, Todd Lewis (Luke Combs' front-of-house engineer), and Asheville food critic Stu Helm — and comedians will provide hilarious live commentary throughout.
Best of all? Proceeds benefit Bear’s Foundation’s Linked4Life initiative, which funds 6 free sessions of mental health counseling for Asheville’s food and beverage workers through All Souls Counseling Center. Your appetite for fun will help provide critical mental health support to those who feed and serve our community.
🎟 Get Tickets Here
📍 Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ | Asheville, NC
🕑 Saturday, August 9 | 2–6 PM (After-party to follow)
| | ASCC Hosts Free Community Meal at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville | | |
On Thursday, July 31st, All Souls Counseling Center hosted its 6th free community dinner at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville—made possible thanks to generous grant funding from the Duke Energy Foundation.
The evening was filled with warmth, conversation, and connection, as guests shared a delicious meal catered by Twisted Laurel and gathered in a welcoming space for reflection and support.
ASCC therapist Shawna Ohle, LCMHC led an impactful presentation titled Resilience: Tipping the Scale Toward the Positive. She encouraged attendees to view resilience as a scale—reminding us that our daily experiences can tip the scale in a positive or negative direction. Shawna offered practical tools to help anchor ourselves in positivity and safety, such as:
- Saving a favorite photo as your phone background and pausing to enjoy it for 40 seconds
- Using the “5-4-3-2-1” grounding technique: noticing 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste
- Practicing self-compassion during difficult moments
We’re grateful to the staff at First Baptist Church for their partnership and hospitality, and to all who attended and helped make this a meaningful evening. These dinners are more than a meal—they’re an opportunity for healing, connection, and community care.
| | Early Bird Pricing Ends on August 9th! | | |
Early bird pricing for the 3rd annual Mental Health Matters: Walk/Run for Awareness ends Saturday, August 9th at midnight. Registration increases to $20 on August 10th, so now is the perfect time to sign up for just $15!
Join us on Saturday, September 20 at UNC-Asheville for a day of movement, music, and community. This family-friendly event features a non-competitive 5K walk/run and a vibrant mental health and wellness resource fair with organizations from across Western North Carolina.
All registrations are free for ages 22 and under, and every participant receives a Mental Health Matters 5K t-shirt. All proceeds go directly to All Souls Counseling Center to support access to affordable, compassionate mental health care in WNC.
Create a team, bring your friends, and be part of the movement to end the stigma around mental health. Let’s walk, run, and raise awareness—together.
| | If your organization is interested in being a sponsor, this would include an outreach table at the resource fair at no additional cost, promotional opportunities, complimentary registrations and t-shirts. Sponsorships start at $500. To learn more about sponsorships, please contact Mary Waller, Development Director, at mary@allsoulscounseling.org. | | |
We are pleased to share that ASCC was recently awarded a 2025 Impact Grant from the WNC Bridge Foundation as well as a grant from Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy. We are grateful for the support and trust of these important WNC grantors in our mission to provide mental health care to adults across our region.
Thank you for helping us help others on a path toward more health and hopefulness.
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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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