Our Story | wellspringcounseling

The Story of Wellspring Counseling Ministries

Wellspring Counseling Ministries was born out of a simple but urgent need: people were calling, churches were asking, and the demand for Christ-centered counseling far exceeded what one private practice could provide.

2004–2010: A Ministry Takes Root and Grows Vigorously

In 2004, Wellspring began as a project of the National Heritage Foundation under the name Wellspring Counseling Ministries International. The vision emerged as pastors and church members reached out seeking Christian counseling that integrated biblical faith with clinical excellence. When that need could no longer be met by one clinician alone, colleagues in the community were invited to join the effort.

This collaborative network became the Wellspring Fellowship of Christian Counselors, with hard-copy referral lists distributed throughout the community and the first networking gathering held in a home. What started as a referral response quickly grew into a ministry.

As the National Heritage Foundation transitioned into United Charitable Programs, the ministry refined its focus and adopted the name Wellspring Counseling Ministries.

During this season, Wellspring expanded into trauma-informed care through equine-assisted psychotherapy. With specialized training as an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Practitioner, Unbridled Hope was established to bring together licensed clinicians and equine specialists to support healing of heart, mind, and body.

2010–2015: Perseverance and Continued Growth

In 2010, a rare bone disease brought unexpected hardship, including two cervical spine surgeries in 2011, another one in 2015, and a long recovery process that continues to this day. Even so, the ministry continued through the support of family and staff, and Wellspring remained active in counseling, training, and community outreach.

During this time, Wellspring’s counselor training program expanded. The leadership and supervision of our licensed professional staff helped shape the next generation of Christian counselors, blending strong biblical foundations with clinical skill. Community-wide conferences and events such as SHARING (Shepherding Hearts and Restoring in Grace) brought pastors, counselors, and families together to address topics ranging from anxiety and depression to marriage restoration and addiction recovery.

Wellspring also partnered in innovative community programs, including Second Chances California, a pilot initiative using retired racehorses to support vocational training and mental health treatment for probationers reentering society.

Creative fundraising events like Frontier Day and Victorian Teas helped raise awareness and sustain Unbridled Hope while strengthening community connection.

This season also brought advanced training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention, growth in the counseling center, and expanded internship opportunities.

Wellspring partnered with organizations serving vulnerable populations, including single mothers, trafficked girls, and church communities seeking affordable counseling. International training opportunities also emerged in Germany and the Philippines, allowing trauma-informed care principles to be shared with orphanage staff abroad.

2016–2018: Expansion, Partnership, and Transition

After our Director’s third cervical spine surgery in 2015 and a diagnosis of permanent disability, there was a time of grief, adjustment, and then a new and surprising development. Though the loss of her horses and equine ministry ended, a new vision was emerging that allowed Wellspring to remain faithful to its calling to support faith based counseling.

Instead of leaving the horse property and the dream of utilizing the property to support the mission of Wellspring Counseling Ministries, Wellspring Charitable Gardens was born. The garden would grow food, educate the community, and support counseling by donating 100% of the proceeds to the non-profit organization. What began with a handful of “seed” investors and volunteers has become a Community Supported Agriculture project (CSA) focused on the nourishment of body and soul.

2019–2026: Growth Through Crisis and Care

The Charitable Garden flourished, growing from three volunteers to more than twenty and becoming a place of shared healing and service, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many ministries were forced to downsize, Wellspring expanded its reach as an essential service.

Counseling continued through remote services, the Fellowship network supported pastors and families, and the garden supplied fresh produce to subscribers, schools, and local families. Volunteers built a greenhouse from salvaged windows, embodying Wellspring’s commitment to restoration and creativity.

A major milestone came with the awarding of a Farm to School Grant, strengthening local food access and integrating mental health education through gardening. Lessons, newsletters, and reflections connected soil and soul, reinforcing Wellspring’s holistic mission.