Our Story

Caring for the Generation
That Cared for Us

AgeWell Mental Health was founded on a simple belief: every senior deserves access to compassionate, professional mental health support — regardless of income, insurance, or geography.

Our Mission

Mental health care that reaches you where you are

Too many seniors suffer in silence. Grief, loneliness, anxiety, and depression are not inevitable parts of aging — they are treatable conditions. Yet barriers like cost, transportation, and stigma prevent millions of older adults from getting help.

AgeWell was built to tear down those barriers. We provide free, one-on-one virtual therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who specialize in geriatric mental health. No insurance. No co-pays. No waiting rooms. Just real, meaningful support from the comfort of home.

Compassionate Care

Every session is led with empathy and genuine concern for your wellbeing.

HIPAA Compliant

Your privacy is protected by the highest standards of healthcare security.

Geriatric Specialists

Therapists trained specifically in the challenges seniors face.

Always Free

No fees, no insurance, no hidden costs — ever.

How It Started

A personal story behind a public mission

AgeWell Mental Health grew out of a deeply personal experience. Our founder watched a grandparent struggle with profound loneliness and depression after losing a spouse — conditions that went untreated for years because of cost, stigma, and the simple belief that "this is just what getting old feels like."

It doesn't have to be. Working alongside licensed clinical social workers with decades of geriatric experience, our team set out to build a service that could reach seniors wherever they are — in Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, and beyond — through secure, easy-to-use video calls.

We partnered with grant-funded programs and nonprofit supporters to ensure the service would always remain free. Because we believe that a person's ability to afford therapy should never determine whether they receive it.

Since launching, we have helped hundreds of seniors process grief, manage anxiety, navigate retirement transitions, and rediscover joy. Every story reminds us why this work matters.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Dignity

We treat every senior with the respect and dignity they deserve. Aging is not a deficit — it is a life richly lived, and our therapists approach every session with deep reverence for each person's unique journey.

Accessibility

Mental health care should not be a privilege. We remove every barrier we can — cost, geography, transportation, technology complexity — so that any senior who needs support can receive it without hesitation.

Evidence-Based Practice

Our therapists use proven, evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), grief counseling, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and solution-focused therapy tailored to older adults.

Privacy & Trust

Every session is conducted over HIPAA-compliant, end-to-end encrypted video. Your health information is never shared without your explicit consent. Trust is the foundation of effective therapy.

Compassion

Our therapists are not just clinically skilled — they genuinely care. Many have personal connections to the senior community and bring warmth, patience, and understanding to every interaction.

Continuity

We believe in ongoing relationships, not one-off consultations. You will work with the same therapist session after session, building the trust and rapport that makes therapy truly transformative.

The People Behind AgeWell

Our Clinical Team

Every AgeWell therapist is a fully licensed LCSW with specialized training in geriatric mental health and a minimum of 10 years of clinical experience.

Dr. Sandra Merritt, LCSW

Clinical Director

22 years of experience

Sandra leads AgeWell's clinical operations and has spent her career advocating for accessible mental health care for underserved senior populations. She holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Specializes In

  • Grief & Bereavement
  • Depression in Older Adults
  • Life Transitions

James Okafor, LCSW

Senior Therapist

15 years of experience

James brings warmth and deep cultural sensitivity to his practice. He has worked extensively with diverse senior communities across Florida and Georgia, and is known for his patient, unhurried approach.

Specializes In

  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Caregiver Burnout
  • Chronic Illness Adjustment

Linda Vasquez, LCSW

Senior Therapist

18 years of experience

Linda specializes in helping seniors rebuild social connection and find meaning in new life chapters. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has a particular passion for working with first-generation immigrant seniors.

Specializes In

  • Loneliness & Isolation
  • Retirement Adjustment
  • Family Conflict

Service Area

Where We Serve

AgeWell currently provides free virtual therapy to seniors in four states, with plans to expand as our program grows. Because our sessions are conducted entirely online, you can connect with your therapist from anywhere within your state — no travel required.

Our therapists hold active licenses in each state they serve, ensuring full legal compliance and the highest standard of care.

Pennsylvania

Licensed in PA

Florida

Licensed in FL

Georgia

Licensed in GA

Wisconsin

Licensed in WI

Not in one of these states? Join our waitlist — we're expanding soon.

Who Qualifies?

AgeWell is designed for adults aged 60 and older who are experiencing mental health challenges. You do not need insurance or a referral to get started.

  • Age 60 or older
  • Resident of PA, FL, GA, or WI
  • Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer
  • Experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, or life transitions
  • No insurance required

Ready to take the first step?

Booking your first session is free, easy, and takes less than five minutes. Our team is here to support you.