Asheville Therapist Collective

A place for Asheville therapists to build meaningful professional relationships.

Asheville Therapist Collective is a membership community designed to help therapists build lasting professional relationships, strengthen referral networks, and foster genuine connection and belonging.

Join the Interest List

Does this Sound Familiar?

You have wonderful conversations with colleagues but then months go by before you reconnect.

You're looking for more meaningful professional relationships.

You'd love more referral connections and consultation support.

You want community, but traditional networking often feels transactional.

You wish there were an easier way to stay connected to the Asheville therapist community

Join the Collective

What Membership Includes

Therapist Matching

Each month, members have the opportunity to be paired with another therapist for connection, conversation, and community building.

Community Events

A monthly meetup opportunity: Examples include coffee meetups, happy hours, hikes, picnics, and other community events

Virtual Coworking

A monthly co-working session. Body doubling and accountability for notes, admin, and practice tasks.

Referral Network

Connect with trusted colleagues and strengthen your referral relationships through an intimate email listserv.

Community Calendar

A curated monthly roundup of therapist events, trainings, and opportunities around Asheville synced to your google calendar.

Future Opprtunities

As we grow, so will the opportunities for members to connect and learn together. Future offerings may include facilitated consultation groups, continuing education events, guest speakers, retreats, and other experiences shaped by the interests and needs of our community.

Why I created Asheville Therapist Collective

Hi, I'm Michele Finkelstein

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Certified DBT Therapist (C-DBT)

Throughout my career, I've worked with adults across outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) settings while also spending more than a decade involved in grassroots organizing and community-building initiatives. Across both roles, one thing has remained true: meaningful relationships don't happen by accident. They thrive when someone intentionally creates opportunities for people to connect.

As I transitioned into private practice, I found myself hearing the same sentiment from colleagues again and again: "I love this work, but it can feel isolating." While Asheville has an incredible therapist community, I saw an opportunity to create something that complements existing spaces by fostering deeper, more consistent professional relationships.

That's what inspired Asheville Therapist Collective. My hope is to create a community where therapists can build authentic connections, strengthen referral networks, support one another professionally, and experience a greater sense of belonging. I'd love to have you be part of it.

About Me

Membership

Community Founding Member
(limited spots)

1/month Therapist matching

1/ month Community event
1/month Co-working session
Referral network
Therapist calendar
Founding member discounted pricing
Play an active role in building a community designed by therapists, for therapists.

Community

1/month Therapist matching

1/ month Community event

1/month Co-working session

Referral network

Therapist calendar

Community Builder

Everything in Community Membership, plus:
Fund an additional therapist membership either for someone you choose or contribute to ATC's Community Access fund to support a therapist experiencing financial barriers.

I'm currently gathering feedback from local therapists to ensure the membership is both valuable and sustainable. Membership pricing will be announced before launch.

Provide your feedback here

Frequently Asked Questions

I live outside of Asheville. Can I still join?

Yes! While our in-person community events are held in Asheville, we warmly welcome clinicians from all surrounding areas who wish to be part of the collective.

I am an associate-level clinician. Is this community for me?

We would love to have you! Associate members participate in a specialized cohort model designed specifically for peer support among clinicians at similar career stages. As this group grows, we hope to expand these offerings to include 1:1 matching as well.

Why join Asheville Therapist Collective if there is already a local Facebook therapist group?

The Asheville therapist community is incredibly vibrant, and ATC is working to be complementary to existing spaces rather than a replacement for them. While online groups are excellent for broad networking and information sharing, ATC is designed to foster deeper professional relationships, ongoing support, accountability, and a stronger sense of community through intentional connection and facilitated experiences.

What types of gatherings are included in the meetups?

During your initial intake, you will be invited to share the specific activities you’d enjoy or would like to do with fellow colleagues. Potential meetups range from casual coffee mornings and midday lunch chats to collaborative potlucks, outdoor picnics, group hikes, and trivia nights. Whether it’s a cinema outing followed by dinner or a relaxed happy hour, these events are shaped by the interests of our members.

What happens if I can’t attend a community event?

Life is busy, and that’s okay! To be as inclusive as possible, I will be using a monthly poll to schedule events based on the community’s peak availability. If you can’t make it to an ATC event, our curated monthly calendar also features recommended local events. These are wonderful alternatives and a great way to connect with colleagues independently!

What is a Therapist Match?

One of the most common experiences therapists share is having a wonderful conversation with a colleague and then not reconnecting for months. Therapist matching is designed to facilitate meaningful professional relationships through intentional introductions and ongoing opportunities for connection. Members can choose to continue existing connections or opt into new matches over time.

Why is there a cost for membership?

The membership fee ensures the long-term sustainability and quality of the collective. It covers the intensive planning, coordination, and resources required to provide a high-value experience for all members. Membership pricing will be determined after further feedback from local therapists is collected and reviewed.

What if the membership cost is a financial barrier for me?

Accessibility and community care are important values of Asheville Therapist Collective. Through the Community Access Fund, I hope to provide a limited number of reduced-cost memberships for therapists experiencing financial barriers.

If cost is preventing you from participating, please reach out to michele@mfinktherapy.com with the subject line "Community Access Fund." Requests are reviewed confidentially and assistance is offered based on available funding.

How do I cancel my membership?

Memberships function as a standard subscription. You will retain access to all services through the end of your current billing period. To cancel, please email michele@mfinktherapy.com before your next billing cycle begins.

Can I pause my membership?

Absolutely. You can request a pause at any time; your membership will remain active for the remainder of the current cycle, and billing will be suspended starting the following month. You are welcome to reactivate your membership whenever you're ready to jump back in.

Who is the organizer of this community?

Hello! I’m Michele Finkelstein, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified clinical supervisor in private practice. I specialize in DBT coping skills for adults, here in Asheville, NC. With a background and passion for community organizing, I founded this collective to foster deep, authentic connections among local therapists. Many of us spend our workdays isolated, interacting only with clients, while traditional networking can often feel transactional and fleeting. I envisioned a space that goes beyond the occasional coffee date-a true community where we can share resources, attend meaningful events, and support one another in our professional journeys. I’m excited to build this vibrant network with you!

How can I share my feedback?

Complete the interest form to share feedback and ideas. Once the collective has launched, I will send out monthly surveys to gather your thoughts and experiences. You are always welcome to share your ideas and constructive feedback to help the community grow.