because being a mental health provider is anything but black and white.
At The Mental Wellness Collective, we exist to strengthen the mental health field by supporting the people who hold it up.
We believe that access to becoming a provider—and staying one—shouldn’t be limited by finances. That includes access to education, clinical supervision, ongoing development, and the resources needed to thrive in this work.
Through grants, community care, continuing education, and professional support, we’re investing in the long-term health of providers so they can keep showing up for the communities they serve.
Because when providers are well-supported, clients are well-served—and communities are more resilient.
Studies indicate that between 21% and 67% of mental health professionals experience high levels of burnout, encompassing emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment.We’re here to change that.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3156844
it starts with us
removing barriers to success
Acess to competent + cost effective supervision
For many future wellness professionals, the only thing standing between them and licensure is money. Clinical supervision—required, unpaid, and expensive—can cost thousands over the course of training. Without financial support, too many passionate, qualified individuals are forced to walk away before they ever get the chance to help others.
Social Workers must complete 100 hours of clinical supervision before being allowed to practice independently and Licensed Professional Counselors must accrue 3000 hours of supervised experience. This adds thousands of dollars to those looking to puruse a career in a helping profession. With sometimes low split rates in private practice, high turnover, and a lack of business support, becoming an independent provider is expensive.
Over 58% of social work and counseling students report difficulty completing unpaid internships or practicum due to financial constraints (housing, childcare, and transportation).
— Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 2022
Adding on the additional cost of post-graduate Supervision makes financial constraints a significant problem facing more than half of those in our profession.
We work with some of the strongest Supervisors in our area through our Supervisor Committee to help connect students with Superviors who care, and are competent.
Are you a Supervisor interested in joining our work and lending your expertise to professionals looking to make an impact?
Access to education
If no one steps into the work, there’s no one to carry it forward. No one to sit with the hurting. No one to train the next. It all begins with helping someone become a helper.
Through grants awarded to incoming nontraditional or at-risk college students 2x/annually beginning in 2026 from your donations, we’re sowing seeds together to help college students flourish as they pursue a career in mental wellness.
Our commitment is to providing at least one grant to a Christian faith-based certification, program, college, or univeristy per calendar year.
55% of adult learners (25 years and older) work full-time while attending school, making it even harder to balance school, work, and family life (American Council on Education, 2021).
Independent students face significant financial shortfalls:
Those with dependents have an average annual unmet need of $17,112.
Those without dependents average $16,658 in unmet need.
These figures are nearly double the average unmet need for dependent students ($9,052).
-UPenn
Nontraditional students face unique challenges that can make pursuing a degree in mental health fields—like social work, therapy, or psychology—seem out of reach. Many of these students are older, financially independent, raising families, or juggling multiple jobs while trying to earn their degree. These responsibilities, coupled with the rising cost of education, create significant barriers that can delay or prevent their entry into the mental health workforce.
Investing in the education of nontraditional students isn’t just an investment in individuals—it’s an investment in the future of our communities. These students often bring fresh perspectives, unique strengths, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those they’ll eventually serve. By removing financial and logistical barriers, we create a more inclusive and effective mental health workforce that reflects the diversity of those who need care.
Providing access to education for nontraditional students not only gives these individuals a chance to build a future but also ensures that the mental health workforce continues to grow, diversify, and meet the needs of our communities.
Access to care
For providers to sustain their passion and purpose, they need regular space to grow, heal, and connect with others who understand. Investing in self-care and professional development is an investment in both the well-being of the providers and the people they help—because a supported professional is a stronger, more effective provider.
Mental health providers are the backbone of our communities, yet they are often the ones most at risk for burnout and emotional exhaustion. The work they do is demanding, and without proper support, providers can face emotional fatigue, decreased effectiveness, and, ultimately, leave the field—leaving communities with even fewer resources for care.
Ongoing self-care and professional development are not just nice-to-haves—they are critical for the sustainability of our providers and the well-being of those they serve. Providers who are given the space to grow personally and professionally are better equipped to handle the emotional demands of their work. They show up as stronger, more empathetic, and more effective healers, which translates into better outcomes for the individuals and families who rely on their support.
Investing in the well-being of providers is an investment in the future of mental health care. Without proper self-care strategies and ongoing training, providers are at a much higher risk of burnout, which can have long-lasting effects on their ability to serve clients.
58% of mental health professionals report experiencing burnout, which directly impacts their ability to provide quality care (American Psychological Association, 2021).
70% of therapists experience emotional exhaustion, demonstrating the critical need for ongoing self-care and peer support (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
By prioritizing self-care and professional growth, we not only ensure the health of our providers but also ensure a healthier, more sustainable mental health system for everyone.
Collective Care: Trauma-informed training and peer support to care for the caretakers.
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Personal development programs, burnout prevention strategies, and wellness events like retreats and happy hours designed to support the providers who care for others.
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Professional development is key to staying ahead, maintaining passion, and preventing burnout. At the Mental Wellness Collective, we’re dedicated to empowering providers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to continue growing in their craft and to sustain long, fulfilling careers.
Through training opportunities, mentorship programs, and peer learning, we ensure that every provider has the tools to evolve both professionally and personally. From staying up to date with the latest therapeutic techniques to cultivating leadership skills, we create pathways for growth that keep providers engaged, competent, and resilient.
When we invest in our professional growth, we elevate our work, stay connected to our mission, and become better equipped to serve the communities that rely on us.
We value thought leaders, not as competition, but as those who help move ahead the greater work in wellness advocacy.
