Taylor Houchens relocated to Asheville roughly four years ago seeking healing.

The appeals of the mountains, forests, and lakes attracted the licensed professional counselor, similar to countless others who have come to this North Carolina city in pursuit of relaxation, renewal, and vitality. Consequently, Asheville has developed a flourishing local wellness community, comprising a diverse range of mental health professionals, holistic coaches, and healers.

Now, following Hurricane Helene, that community has suffered significant setbacks − and Houchens expresses uncertainty about where to go from this point.

“It’s devastation. It feels apocalyptic. It’s tragic,” Houchens, who focuses on trauma therapy, remarked via phone while heading to stay with family in Savannah, Georgia, as floodwaters threatened his apartment. “Honestly, I’m still in shock. Shock is the initial stage of trauma. Even my neighbor mentioned, ‘I still need to fully cry about this, but I’m just not there yet.’ ”

‘This land has something special’

Nestled in the mountains of eastern North Carolina, Asheville has deep roots in wellness.

In the early 20th century, Asheville became a destination for those seeking to recover from tuberculosis. The city attracted TB patients not only for its hospitals but also because of its healing mountainous climate, which locals believed aided their recovery.

This very environment continues to appeal to health and wellness enthusiasts today.

“There’s something profound about this land,” Houchens notes, saying he was also attracted to Asheville for its rich variety of healing practices, including craniosacral therapy, massage, and somatic therapy. “There’s a distinct beauty and strength within these mountains. Their essence can’t be erased by hurricanes or disasters.”

Holistic health coach Brynn Barale moved to the Asheville area from Florida in 2006, hoping to find refuge from hurricanes.

However, it was the healing community that truly captured her.

“The wellness network in Asheville has kept me here longer than I anticipated,” she shares. “We have a strong sense of trust among one another, and for a town of this size, the wellness community is quite substantial.”

Barale, who lives in Arden—a small town about ten minutes from Asheville—says that while she and her family, including her husband and two young children, haven’t faced severe damage, they did experience loss of water and power, yet thankfully still have their home intact.

Unfortunately, many of her colleagues are not as fortunate.

“Everyone is closed indefinitely. Some are uncertain about how they’ll recover from this,” she explains during a phone interview. “For many, the floodwaters have caused extensive damage to their communities. Even those with remote businesses feel helpless right now. Just being able to have this conversation feels like a miracle.”

Houchens described entering a state of panic as the floodwaters began surrounding his apartment complex, his thoughts consumed with worst-case scenarios, including whether he’d be able to swim to safety.

“I panicked,” he relates. “The sight of devastation surrounding us, hearing about fatalities, witnessing homes overturned—it’s overwhelming. Human beings aren’t equipped to handle such disaster.”

When healers need healing

Rachael Chatham, a licensed clinical mental health counselor based in Asheville, indicates that the wellness community, like the rest of the city, remains in disarray. Many are anxiously awaiting to discover the full extent of the hurricane’s aftermath.

“This is a very confusing time in Asheville,” she states. “There’s so much uncertainty and a lack of communication. Efforts are being made to restore that communication, but without it, it’s challenging to understand what’s happening and where to find assistance or who requires it.”

In the wake of natural disasters, people quickly prioritize their needs according to Maslow’s hierarchy, explains Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist from Florida whose neighborhood also experienced flooding due to the hurricane.

The first step is attending to basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once those are secured, additional needs can start to be addressed.

Especially when dealing with trauma and loss, people often face difficulties in processing their experiences. According to Sarkis, it can take months or even years for individuals affected by significant events, like a major hurricane, to come to terms with what they’ve endured.

Chatham reflects on the odd experience of being a therapist during such distressing times. While she intends to offer additional office hours for clients requiring mental health assistance post-hurricane, she acknowledges the importance of seeking support for herself as well.

“It gives you a surreal sensation as you move through life,” she explains. “On the bright side, I’ve witnessed remarkable acts of community and individuals reaching out to assist one another, even while they themselves are struggling.”

As Asheville begins to heal, Houchen emphasizes that mental health care and wellness support will be vital for the community. He points out that you don’t need to be a trained professional to help someone in distress.

“There’s something incredibly simple yet impactful about just being present for someone,” he states. “We don’t always need to provide solutions, enact interventions, or apply therapeutic methods. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to feel acknowledged and listened to. That’s often all we require.”

Barale believes that as Asheville recovers, its wellness community will flourish once again. While rebuilding may take time, she is optimistic about the future.

“I envision it becoming even more resilient,” she asserts. “I believe that challenging times strengthen communities. I see it evolving into something even more vibrant.”