Support for Those Affected by

Natural Disasters & Man-made Trauma

Give an Hour® is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization. Our focus will always be to provide care and support to those who are in need – regardless of the societal or political issues that may swirl around them because of their circumstances. We are proud to offer help, hope and healing.

From time to time, our nation faces devastating natural disasters and tragedies such as mass shootings or bombings. When able, Give an Hour provides help and hope to those who are suffering from the effects of these events – including our first responders who often absorb a tremendous amount of pain and stress as they attend to the needs of others. When disaster strikes, our network of mental health care providers are activated to provide support. For support click on the event below.

If you are an independently licensed mental health provider interested in offering support for those affected, please register today.

Give an Hour® does not provide crisis or emergency services.

For those in need of immediate help:

View Crisis Resources

Eligible Natural Disasters

Eligible Man-made Traumas

What to Expect

  • To receive FREE and confidential counseling
  • To not be charged or have your insurance billed for Give an Hour® sessions
  • To understand how your or your loved one’s experiences are affecting your personal life and relationships
  • To learn ways of coping
  • To be referred appropriately if you need additional services (such as medications)
  • To be in a safe environment where you can talk about your deepest fears and concerns

Searching for a Provider

Using the search form, answer a few questions to receive a list of providers who may be able to assist you.

  • Choose from a variety of options including in-person, telephone support, or video counseling. While it’s common in the mental health community to meet in the provider’s office, it may not be feasible for everyone.
  • If you are unable to meet with a provider in-person, we encourage the use of telephone support or video counseling. A provider will rely on his or her professional judgment to determine when an alternate method of contact will sufficiently meet your needs. 
  • NOTE: If you are unable to locate a provider in your area and do not feel comfortable with phone support or video counseling, please contact us at info@giveanhour.org for assistance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all services will be provided via telephone or telemental health to abide by social distancing guidelines. Leave the “Type of Support” field blank to render the most results

Contacting a Provider

Identify yourself as a potential Give an Hour client, even if you leave a voicemail.

  • Mention Give an Hour: Tell the provider you are a Give an Hour client at the beginning of your call, email or voicemail.
  • Leave a Message: Even if the provider’s voicemail states they are not accepting new clients, some providers hold openings just for GAH clients.
  • Call Again: Messages can be hard to understand or accidentally erased. If you have not heard back in a reasonable amount of time, consider calling again. Be sure to leave your name, number and email address. 
  • Contact more than one provider. If you have not received an appointment after your first call, consider calling another provider on your search results. Often people contact several providers before finding one who is a good match for their needs.
  • Be prepared: Make sure your voicemail is set up and not full for when the provider returns your call.
  • Try email: Providers spend much of their day with clients. Consider using their email or their website’s “Contact Us” section to make contact.
  • Let us know: If you can’t reach a Give an Hour® provider using their contact information on our website, let us know at info@giveanhour.org, and we will update our database.

Client FAQs

I’m not sure what type of counseling I need. How do I find a provider?

If you are unsure of what type of counseling would be best for your personal situation, we recommend a broad search of all types of providers. Choose one that meets your travel needs and reach out to them. If they are unable to help, they can recommend different search criteria or help you find a better fit.

Do I need to fill out an application?

You do not need to fill out an application or register with Give an Hour in any way. However, your Give an Hour provider will ask for your contact information as part of their intake process. This information will be kept confidential. Give an Hour invites you to submit our optional client survey to help us understand who needs (and uses) our services.

What if the provider I have found is not the right fit for me?

We encourage our clients and providers to work together to determine if they are a good match for each other. If at any time the two of you determine it is not a good fit, please feel free to use our Provider Search Tool to locate another provider.

I have insurance, can I still use Give an Hour?

Yes, you can. Many of those who use Give an Hour services have insurance but have chosen not to use it for a variety of reasons.

The provider I contacted never responded, what can I do?

If you are still having trouble connecting, please e-mail us at info@giveanhour.org.

Provider FAQs

How many sessions am I required to donate as a Give an Hour provider?

You have agreed to volunteer with Give an Hour for one hour per week for one year.  You may have a client for all of your volunteer hours, or you may choose to use your hours conducting outreach, training or other volunteer activities.

Do I need to fill out any forms or report to you that I have a Give an Hour client?

Give an Hour collects minimal information regarding provider volunteerism on our quarterly provider survey, which you will receive via email. You may be asked to submit generalized information, but at no time are you asked to share details regarding any client in the Give an Hour program.

Does Give an Hour provide training on topics such as post-traumatic stress, or teletherapy?

Give an Hour has collected several free available resources that can be accessed here.

Can I see clients from more than just the military program?

Yes, Give an Hour providers are welcome to serve in all of our long term and short term programming. Please update your provider profile with your population interests so we can best connect you.

I have a colleague who would be a great fit for this program. What’s the best way to connect them?

Here are some tips on helping Give an Hour recruit mental health professionals. You can also direct them to the registration page.

Need Additional Help?

If you are unable to locate a provider in your area and do not feel comfortable with phone support or video counseling, please contact us at info@giveanhour.org for assistance.

Search for a Provider

Disaster and Tragedy Resource Center

Video by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen:
Available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University:

Additional Resources:

Talking to kids about Pittsburgh and Anti-Semitism Final – Developed by Robin H. Gurwitch, Ph.D, Elana Newman, Ph.D, and Gregory Leskin, Ph.D.

Listen to Mr. Rogers: Helping Children Deal  with Tragic Events in the News
Articles from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network