Our Mission Statement
Care and Counseling International is a non-profit organization that exists to make mental health services accessible to missionaries, international aid workers, and teachers working overseas using a telebehavioral health platform. Our desire is to provide this service free or low cost so that those serving in this way can get help when they need it, without that help being tied to their employment or funding sources, to enable them to continue the vital work they are doing.
Missionary Care is a Newer Field
While some private practice counselors specialize in working with people serving internationally, few are equipped to offer telehealth and it would take some research for people working abroad to identify counselors that offer those services. At this time, most counseling resources, if available at all, are through the missions sending agencies, and some organizations may require the missionary to leave the field to receive counseling.
We believe that the greatest resource the church can provide is to bring relationship and care to people. Our heart is to help fill this great need for those serving abroad.
I think that being in the field is a very lonely place. It is so encouraging to know people are praying for me and supporting me in my needs.
What We Offer
We serve missionaries, international aid workers, and teachers working abroad pre-field, on the field, and post-field. We do this by:
- Providing counseling in person or via tele-counseling pre and post field or on furlough
- Providing individual and group counseling in the field at conferences
- Offering team building workshops for teams before they enter the field and de-brief sessions after trip completion
- Offering support and resources to churches and individuals who wish to better support missionaries, international aid workers, and teachers working abroad.
Meet the Founders
Vanessa Felhauer
Vanessa Felhauer, MA, NCC, LPC is the CEO and co-founder of Care and Counseling International. She is a counselor and music teacher residing in Fort Collins, Colorado. She runs Created 4 Rhythm Music Studio and Created for Redemption Christian Counseling, and is also an independent contractor, outpatient therapist, and clinical consultant with Griffith Centers for Children. Her passion as a counselor is pointing women to a glorious King who desires their affections, not their actions. In her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, adventures, and playing with her dog Griffin.
Sarah Keck
Sarah Keck, MJA, CAS, is the CFO and co-founder of Care and Counseling International. Sarah has been an addictions counselor for the past 13 years and works administratively with programs that help people overcome addictions and pursue a recovery lifestyle. She is passionate about helping people pursue healing and health and excited to work administratively with Care and Counseling. In her free time she enjoys reading, board games, and playing with her dog.