Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services

Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services Offering Hope and Healing Since 1974.

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02/28/2026

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Punch is not just a baby monkey.
He is a lesson.
He is a reminder.
He is proof that even the smallest heart can carry unimaginable pain ... and still choose to love.
Punch is a little Japanese macaque who was rejected by his own mother and family. In the wild, rejection is not emotional , it is survival.

But for a baby, it feels like abandonment.
He was pushed away. Ignored. Left alone.
No warm body to cling to.
No heartbeat to sleep against.
No arms to feel safe in.
For a baby monkey, touch is everything. They survive on warmth, bonding, and reassurance. When that is taken away, they don’t just lose protection .. they lose emotional security.
Punch tried to go back.
Again and again.
But he was not accepted.
And that’s when something heartbreaking and beautiful happened.
He found comfort in a soft toy.
An orange orangutan plush, bigger than him, with long arms and legs , the kind meant for children.

Punch began holding onto it the way a baby would hold onto its mother. He wraps his tiny arms around it.
He buries his face into it. He sleeps holding it tightly.
That toy became his safety.
His warmth.
His substitute for the love he was denied.
What hurts the most is this
He didn’t know it’s not alive.
He hugged it like it breathes.

But recently, another monkey accepted him and now he is getting all the love and warmth he deserved !!

Please forgive a TikTok link but this website is a lovely resource we wanted to share!https://reasonstostay.co.uk
02/26/2026

Please forgive a TikTok link but this website is a lovely resource we wanted to share!

https://reasonstostay.co.uk

567.4K likes, 3146 comments. “Warning this story mentions su***de. marked 8 years since his brother took his life by launching Reasons to Stay, a website where people can write letters of encouragement to strangers in crisis. They’ve already sent more than 1 million letters. If you o...

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02/13/2026

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Too sweet not to share!
02/10/2026

Too sweet not to share!

Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving ❤️

A little wisdom for your Monday evening ❤️
10/20/2025

A little wisdom for your Monday evening ❤️

Today on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that mental health is just as important as physical health. Let’s break...
10/10/2025

Today on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that mental health is just as important as physical health. Let’s break the stigma, support one another, and prioritize well-being every day—not just today. 💚

Take just a moment, right now, to check in on your own mental health!

Call today!📲 757-623-2700
10/03/2025

Call today!
📲 757-623-2700

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09/10/2025

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Board Spotlight: Rev. Dee Dee Carson, First Presbyterian Church of Virginia BeachWhy did you choose to serve as a board ...
08/14/2025

Board Spotlight: Rev. Dee Dee Carson, First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach

Why did you choose to serve as a board member for TPCS?

“I chose to work with TPCS because I am the pastor of the church where TPCS was founded, and as Bill Hedrick was getting ready to retire, it felt really important to keep the connection strong between the church and the great work Tidewater Pastoral Counseling does. We are so proud that TPCS was founded in our building and took up residence here for so long, so the connection felt natural and important. It has been a privilege to know more about the organization and to know how it can be a resource for my own church members and the larger community.”

What do you hope to see for TPCS five years from now?

“I hope that TPCS continues to grow in its reach and its ability to provide faith-based counseling to people who are in need of a safe and supportive environment. There always seems to be a shortage of good counselors, and as a pastor, I am always looking for places to refer church members who come to me asking for recommendations. I hope that Tidewater Pastoral will continue to grow and be able to help more and more people and more and more families as they navigate their own mental health.”

Thank you, Dee Dee for your commitment to TPCS and our future! It is a bright one because YOU are part of it!

On Tuesday July 15th Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services celebrated the retirement of Rev. Dr. Bill Austin and Cathy ...
07/23/2025

On Tuesday July 15th Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services celebrated the retirement of Rev. Dr. Bill Austin and Cathy Townsend.
Rev. Dr. Bill Austin worked as a counselor for the center for 28 years and served countless individuals and families in his time here. Cathy worked tirelessly in our office for 8 years to keep our clients happy, informed, and scheduled!

“Being a part of the TPCS family, has been a privilege and blessing for me. It has been my honor to work with St Adians Episcopal Church, which provided office space for many years, my clients and the TPCS staff. TPCS has been and will continue to be a gift to our community,” shared Rev. Dr. Austin.

The mental health community is a better place because these two were part of it and we are forever grateful for their time at the center.
We thank you and wish you the absolute best in your retirement years!

Address

7305 Hampton Boulevard
Norfolk, VA
23505

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17576232700

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About Us

Founded in 1974, Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services is a not-for-profit extension of the Tidewater faith community. We provide counseling and education to anyone regardless of age, race, faith perspective, or socioeconomic background. Our counseling can be faith-centered, but this is not a requirement.

TPCS counselors have graduate degrees in both theology and counseling, clinical training, and professional experience to help our clients in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. We are ministers of various denominations who believe that within each of us lies the ability to grow and heal.

TPCS strives to keep counseling affordable for everyone. No one is ever turned away because of limited financial resources. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 757-623-2700.