VIPCare

02/11/2026

For generations, Black communities have navigated trauma alongside strength—often without access to culturally responsive mental health care.

Black History Month is a reminder that healing has always been happening, even when support systems were missing or harmful. Our work today is shaped by the belief that everyone deserves care that honors their story, culture, and humanity.

02/04/2026

Black History Month invites us to tell the truth about where we’ve been—and to honor the people who carried wisdom, care, and resilience forward even when systems failed them.

As mental health counselors, we recognize that emotional well-being has always been part of Black excellence—whether through faith, community, creativity, or mutual care.

This month, we honor Black history not as something separate from our work, but as something that deeply shapes how we practice compassionate care today.

01/27/2026

Even snow and ice can't keep these servant-hearted leaders away!

We love our VIPCare Board and are so grateful for each of these beautiful people for their passion and support of our mission to bring HOPE and HEALING to ALL.

01/22/2026

Thanks to a generous grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, VIPCare is now offering a supportive bi-weekly group for parents of trans youth. Please share this with your friends and clergy. More information can be found here: https://www.vipcare.org/transformed-together-group

01/21/2026

Happy National Hugging Day!

Did you know that a single hug releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, promoting feelings of safety, connection, and well-being. As if that wasn't reason enough to go grab a loved one, longer hugs (5-20 seconds) have actually been found to lower stress hormones (cortisol), reduce blood pressure, boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and even ease anxiety and depression!

What are you waiting for? Go squeeze someone (well, maybe make sure it's someone you know...otherwise it's just creepy.)

01/10/2026

Curious about the benefits of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) training? This article shares some of the research showing the effectiveness of the training many VIPCare staff have been through in order to offer interfaith spiritual integration to our clients (those who wish to integrate their faith beliefs into their care).

Doug Thorpe, our Executive Director, is a trainer of this program and is happy to answer questions about it if you're interested in learning more.

This article shares insights from “Improving Psychotherapists’ Spiritual and Religious Competencies: Evaluation of a Live Videoconferencing Training

01/09/2026

New and expectant parents, VIPCare is offering a new Gottman Institute workshop to help you prepare for your baby, Bringing Baby Home.

Click the link for details: https://www.vipcare.org/bringing-baby-home

01/08/2026

How are those New Year's resolutions coming, everyone?

12/03/2025

I want to tell you about one of our clients — I’ll call her Maria.

When Maria’s second baby was born, she expected to feel immense joy. Instead, she felt a heavy fog settle over her. She blamed herself for not being a “good enough” mother as each week grew harder. Her husband tried to help, but he worked long hours; her toddler sensed her distance; her home slowly filled with tension.

Without realizing it, Maria began shrinking from the world. She stopped returning her sister’s calls, withdrew from friends, skipped church, and pulled away from the very people who loved her. Her bright little boy began acting out — desperate for attention he didn’t understand he was missing.

Maria’s sister suggested counseling, but she couldn’t find anyone who accepted Medicaid without a long wait list. By the time Maria found VIPCare, she felt broken. “I’m failing my kids,” she whispered through tears. But she wasn’t failing — she was hurting.

Thankfully, VIPCare didn't have a wait list and accepts people of all financial statuses. Through compassionate, supportive therapy, Maria learned to name her postpartum depression, manage her anxiety, and speak gently to herself again. Her laughter, energy, and hope returned. Her son and husband saw their sunshine come back. Her marriage strengthened. She became the friend who checked in on new mothers, the neighbor who restarted a community playgroup, and the wife and mother who offered empathy instead of anger and hopelessness.

Maria’s healing didn’t stop with her — it rippled outward into her home, her family, and her community. That's the thing about mental health - it doesn't exist in a vacuum. EVERYONE is affected.

Right now, this kind of healing is at risk. An estimated 302,000 Virginians are expected to lose their Medicaid benefits in the coming year. That means many people who currently receive care will suddenly have no mental-health coverage at all. At VIPCare, approximately 40% of our clients already lack the insurance or income needed to access therapy—and this number is about to grow dramatically.

Without your help, we will not be able to meet the need. Will you consider helping someone like Maria today? Your gift will change lives, and will be matched 100%.

https://vipcare.networkforgood.com/projects/245689-support-vipcare

12/02/2025

Black Friday/Cyber Monday are about *things.* is about benevolence and love.

Did you know 40% of VIPCare clients receive their counseling at a reduced cost or completely free? Our Client Aid Fund has helped thousands get the mental healthcare they need, regardless of income or insurance. But we cannot do it without you.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today to support community members who are seeking hope and healing. Any amount counts. You could save a life today.

https://www.vipcare.org/https/vipcarenetworkforgoodcom/projects/245689-support-vipcare

11/28/2025

On this day of gratitude and every day, VIPCare is incredibly thankful for YOU; our donors, supporters, and friends.

11/13/2025

It's World Kindness Day! As we head into this season of gratitude, we are curious: What is one moment of kindness that stood out to you this year?