Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sandra Davis.
Hi Dr. Davis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started The Willow Field Foundation in 2019, approximately 7 years into my career as a Clinical Psychologist, and after working with individuals in mental health settings for most of my adult life.
I began to notice the enormous disparity in terms of access to mental health services. Even the individuals and families fortunate enough to have insurance benefits often could not afford the high deductible and out-of-pocket costs associated with receiving mental health services, and it was even more unlikely to encounter individuals without benefits and who could not afford cash pay rates ranging from $100-$300 an hour for therapy services.
I had worked hard to do as much as I could as an individual and a practitioner to manage this disparity. I saw as many pro bono patients as I could and still provide for my family, and established a practice which also served as a training facility where young clinicians could accrue hours and charge incredibly low rates. This helped on a micro level, but it did not feel like enough.
So, I established The Willow Field Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds and provide therapy services to individuals in our community in need of life-changing mental health services. It also serves the hard-working clinicians in the industry, who do not have to sacrifice financially in order to provide services for people in need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I truly believe starting anything from scratch is never smooth. Starting a nonprofit is always a challenge, but due to the exorbitant cost of mental healthcare and lack of subsidized resources in most states, my mission is an enormous one. If an individual attends weekly therapy for the rate of $100 per session (which is on the lower end of most rates), their treatment will cost $5200 a year. So, the need to raise several thousands of dollars for just one scholarship is high. That said, the life-changing and sometimes life-saving experience of mental healthcare can trickle through generations, so even the mental health of one person can have immeasurable effects over time. Every person matters.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I began my career working in community mental health, having worked with people and families experiencing homelessness and casework for low-income families in need of services.
Throughout my graduate education, I moved into private practice, mostly working with children and adolescents and being trained in various therapeutic modalities and psychological assessment. As I moved through my career, my personal life began to shape my practice more firmly. Having children of my own changed my energy output into wanting to work with a different patient population, and there was a natural progression for me into working with older adolescents, young adults, victims of trauma, and members of the LGBTQI community. I love the work I do and have so much admiration and respect for my hard-working patients. And I am certain as my life changes, my practice scope will change again, and I am excited for where it may take me.
What makes you happy?
I love seeing people improving themselves. It’s a daunting, intimidating experience to look inside oneself, admit to your faults and shortcomings, and then take the enormous energy output of making difficult changes. And it is the most inspiring thing I have ever seen. I see it in my children, my partner, my friends and family, and, of course, in my patients. Whether it be self-care and boundaries, improving your physical health, pursuing goals and dreams, or standing up for yourself, watching people step up for themselves to make life better brings me enormous joy and I do my best to model it for the people around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: thewillowfieldfoundation.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewillowfieldfoundation
Image Credits
Tazi Photography
Londyn Layne Photography
