Dear friends of Irvington Counseling Collective,

While chatting with a colleague in community about the work of psychotherapy, we acknowledged that, at the crux of our work as therapists lies our ability to stay with the tension of whatever material arise, for ourselves and for those we serve. We noted, too, that this is not just the work of therapy--it is the work of living: learning how to be present with the full spectrum of human experience, emotion, and sensation. It is choosing, again and again, how to ride the wave of joy, pain, and everything in between, while noticing our habits of mind and opening to new ways of responding.

The more care a therapist has offered themselves in their own process of staying with the tension of living, the more equipped they are to show up with clarity and compassion for others. That is the heart of what we hope to offer at Irvington Counseling Collective, and we are grateful to do so in such deep relationship with our wider community.

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month and enter the celebratory spirit of Pride, I want to offer heartfelt gratitude to Jim Irsay for being a quiet yet powerful force for recovery in Indianapolis and beyond. The Irsay family’s commitment to expanding access to mental health care for all Hoosiers is a legacy worth celebrating, and ICC is tremendously honored to be a grantee partner in that effort.

We’re also sending enormous thanks to our friends at Great Day Tattoo, who showed up in the most beautiful way this month with a full day of mental-health inspired flash tattoos—offering dozens of folks a chance to carry messages of connection and healing with them for life.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate with you this summer! Join us at Irvington Pride on Saturday, June 28th—we’ll be there with stickers and tote bags, all in support of our Mental Health Relief Fund, which helps subsidize therapy for those who have historically been marginalized from access to care. And don’t miss The Black Hat Society of Historic Irvington’s Freakness Stakes on June 22nd—a derby-inspired gala complete with music, a silent auction, and, yes, a race with the witches!

Thanks for being with us in the beautiful, complex, and courageous work of living.

With gratitude,

APRIL IMPACT

Last month, we served 378 clients and provided 782 sessions. We also subsidized $4,170 in client sessions, with more than half ($2,145) going to Black, Brown, Indigenous, Trans, and Nonbinary clients.

WHAT WE NEED

As cuts to State and Federal Medicaid funding continue, we’re anticipating increased financial strain on clients, gaps in access to care, and a growing urgency to fill in where the system is falling short. At ICC, we’re doing everything we can to meet this moment—but we need your help to keep going.

Every dollar donated to our mutual aid funds is either redistributed to community members or used to subsidize session fees. As support from the state shrinks, our community’s role in care grows more important than ever. If you’re able, please consider giving today—because everyone deserves access to mental health support.

$45 = One therapy session

$200 = One month of therapy sessions

$500 = One mental wellness mini-grant

$1000 = One year of therapy sessions

COMING UP: THE FREAKNESS STAKES

We’re thrilled to be the beneficiary of this year’s signature fundraiser from the Black Hat Society of Historic Irvington! The Freakness Stakes, is a derby-inspired evening filled with dancing witches, music, a silent auction, and more—all in celebration of community care. Join us on June 22nd behind the train depot for a festive afternoon.

Proceeds from the event will support ICC’s mission to make access to affirming mental health care more equitable for Hoosiers. We’re so grateful to the Black Hats for choosing to support us this year!

COMING UP: IRVINGTON PRIDE FESTIVAL

We’re so excited to be a vendor at this year’s Irvington Pride on Saturday, June 28th! Hosted by our friends and neighbors in the Irvington community, this all-day celebration is packed with live music, drag performances, local vendors (like us!), food trucks, and so much more.

Stop by our booth to say hi and grab some ICC goodies! All purchases made at the booth are in support of our Mental Health Relief Fund, which we use to subsidize sessions for clients who have been historically harmed by and excluded from traditional mental health care. We’re proud to be part of a neighborhood that shows up with so much love, visibility, and care. Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE: HEELS & HEALING 2025

Mark your calendars for year two of Heels & Healing—our benefit drag show celebrating community care and Queer joy.

August 23rd @ Downtown Olly’s

This evening brings together unforgettable performances and a celebration of our community, all while raising some funds to keep doing the vital work we do. Come out, show up, and help us make access to mental health care more equitable for Hoosiers! Follow our socials for more updates.

1. What kind of clients do you love working with? I love working with all sorts of clients! I see lots of adults and couples, and I especially love working with youth and teens. You can often find me playing Uno, creating fun art projects, or going on sunshine nature walks with clients. 

2. What values guide your work as a therapist? I would say I'm a pretty community and relationship-focused therapist, grounded in social justice values and practices. The core values that guide my therapy practice center around cultivating connection with one another via validation, gentle curiosity, vulnerability, and community mutual aid. 

3. What books, authors, artists, or activists inspire your work? I'm a big fan of authors Adrienne Maree Brown (Emergent Strategy), Sonya Renee Taylor (The Body is Not an Apology), and Prentis Hemphill's work on embodiment.  

4. What's your favorite part about working at ICC? I love working at ICC! I used to be a client here before becoming a therapist here, and wholeheartedly believe in the values ICC holds. Having an opportunity to work alongside a team so passionate about social justice, client-centered care, and making mental health care accessible to all members of our community has been amazing. Plus, ICC has the BEST clients! ❤️

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT

This month, we’re feeling grateful for our friends at Great Day who hosted a Flash Fundraiser for Mental Health Awareness Month benefiting ICC. A massive thanks to the artists, board members, staff members, and community members who lended their time, talent, and resources to make mental health care more accessible!

RESOURCES OUR FOLKS LOVE

🏳️‍🌈 Hannah wants to lift up the work the kind folks at Queer Grief Indy—their 6-week group has been impactful for clients and friends alike.👟👟

👟 Mel has been finding new ways to get outside and move, and wants to share this interactive running app that combines story (zombies!) with movement.

😂 Marley has been needing a little extra levity these days, and wants to share this silly advice comedy podcast that has been sustaining them.

🪷 Lauren wants to share Autsit, a meditation group created specifically for Autistic and neurodivergent folks. (And don’t miss the great resource list on their site!)

🕊️ Mike has a few offerings: the podcasted Articles of Interest for anyone curious about garments and culture, a collection of journal exerpts from Thich Nhat Hanh, which Mike describes as a balm for this cultural inflection point, and this beautiful translation of the Buddhist Three Marks by Black Dharma teacher Ruth King.