We're so grateful for the time we had to serve the Orlando and Florida community.

Agape Therapy Institute opened its doors in 2016, after the Founder, Susan Bearden, saw a need in the wake of the Pulse shooting for a safe, open and affirming, secular counseling space. Her intention was to create and build a local business that offered empirical, evidence-based, quality mental health and relationship counseling that utilized many modalities, tailored to each client's unique needs - while simultaneously creating a space that fostered the professional clinical development of cohorts of therapists entering the field. 

For 7 years, Agape excelled in providing over 35,000 therapy sessions to thousands of community members. We also navigated COVID together, pivoting to integrate telehealth for safe mental health support during another critical time. Almost 100 professionals received training at Agape, and have gone on to pursue additional clinical degrees and opening their own successful businesses. 

It is with deep gratitude that we had the privilege of serving the Orlando and Florida community for these years. Your stories are with us every day. You have impacted us as much as we've impacted the community, and know that the legacy of Agape's philosophy is deeply embedded in the counselor community in Orlando through the clients and therapists who have been a part of Agape. In 2023, Susan Bearden made the difficult decision to close Agape's counseling office in downtown Orlando after deciding with her family that they would relocate. 

It was also a serendipitous time to sunset, as our office lease was set to renew, we had a large cohort of therapists ready to venture into their new business plans, and our Board of Directors terms were set to turn over. Susan Bearden will be moving with her family to Pennsylvania in 2024, and will continue to pursue her passion for helping others and mental healthcare business administration in new ways. 

Thank you again for all the stories, the memories, and the quality time together.

Be well within,

The Agape Therapy Institute Family 

If you'd like to reach Susan, her email address is still active and she can be reached at susan[at]agapementalhealth.org