Our History

CareNet Counseling has a rich history of trusted and effective care. We are a non-profit mental health counseling organization that started in 1972. Formerly called Pastoral Counseling, the organization grew out of the ministry of the Department of Pastoral Care of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, which was founded in 1947 and is the second oldest clinical pastoral care ministry in the United States. The ministry was developed in response to the need for pastors and all faith leaders to have a professional counseling organization in the community that was sensitive to their followers’ spiritual needs in addition to their mental, physical and social needs. It was, and continues to be, a counseling organization that addresses the mental health needs of the community, regardless of a person’s race, religion, gender or socioeconomic status. We have continued to grow and thrive thanks to our exceptional staff and the generosity of all those who support our work across the state and beyond.

Today, there are more than 30 CareNet counseling centers across North Carolina providing care to our state and four adjoining states. In addition, each CareNet center is also affiliated with the Samaritan Institute, a national organization which represents the largest consortium of spiritually-integrated counseling centers in the nation and serves over 500,000 men, women and children annually in over 500 centers in 350 cities throughout the United States.

Our support comes from churches, service clubs, corporations, local businesses, grants, foundations and hundreds of generous individuals who all support one thing – ensuring our communities have access to quality mental health care.

We are proud of our history and our team of highly-trained, dedicated counselors. We are here and stand committed to continuing to help all those who need us.