Founded in 1967, VIPCare is an interfaith, not-for-profit counseling and educational institute and one of the nation's leading pastoral counseling centers.
VIPCare provides pro bono and sliding scale counseling to clients in need. Please consider a gift today to support clients in need of counseling financial aid. Gifts can be made through Givelify.
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.
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%.
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.
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?
11/06/2025
What's better than a compassionate counselor?
A compassionate counselor dressed like an adorable cat, of course!
Kay came in all decked out for Halloween, and it's just one more reason we love her so.
09/24/2025
We’re spending the evening at Richmond International Raceway! Don’t worry, we’re not taking the cars for a spin, we’re attending Leadership Metro Richmond’s Board Connection event. Meeting other local nonprofits and potential new board members and community volunteers.
If you know anyone who may be interested in hearing about the work we do, and may either want to get involved or just cheer us on from the sidelines, send them our way! We’re always interested in meeting cool people.
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Founded in 1967 by an ecumenical group of religious leaders, VIPCare offers hope and healing through spiritually-integrated pastoral counseling and education.
There is a place for you here whether you practice a faith tradition or are searching, whether you are looking for support as you take the next steps in your life or you feel sad, stuck or unhappy.
Our counselors are trained mental health professionals, many of whom are also practicing clergy.
But we don’t preach, we listen.
VIPCare offers counseling for all ages--children through seniors. We offer couples premarriage programs, couples counseling, and group therapy.
Please write or call us for more information at 804-282-8332 or vipcare@vipcare.org