Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sandra Davis.
Dr. Sandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Having worked in various aspects of the mental health field, I have consistently found a gap in access to services. While there are some resources for lower-income families, they are often inadequate to meet the needs of the seriously mentally ill. In order to gain access to more intensive and often life-saving treatment, individuals and families often need insurance – which many clinicians do not accept – or the ability to afford an average of $10,000 a year.
Then in 2015, I joined Richland Oaks Counseling, whose mission is “Making meaningful mental health care accessible,” and my experience there inspired me to further the goal of removing barriers to mental wellness. So in the summer of 2019, I founded The Willow Field Foundation in order to improve access to competent mental healthcare. We intent to connect with individuals, businesses, and community leaders in order to raise funds and award therapy scholarships to individuals who otherwise would not have access to the care they truly need.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have honestly been awed and amazed by the massive amount of support we’ve received even in these early stages. Our mission is a large one: therapy is expensive so offering even one scholarship will cost thousands of dollars, which feels like a daunting undertaking. But within minutes of launching, we began receiving donations and offers to help. We have received offers of donations, volunteer hours, and marketing support. I have been inspired by the willingness of some of our supporters to share their stories of successful experiences on our website to convey the life-transforming nature of therapy in order to encourage others to seek treatment. Of course, the road is a long one and we have an enormous distance to cross, but knowing we have support makes it seem possible.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
The Willow Field Foundation is unlike any other local charity, as we aim to provide funds for ongoing therapeutic care to individuals who could not gain access to competent care. We are proud of this opportunity to de-stigmatize mental illness, convey the importance of therapy, and remove as many barriers to mental wellness as possible. Our ability to inform our communities and invoke meaningful change with respect to how people can actively support mental healthcare within their families neighbors is one of the most important pieces of our advocacy. We also have the most knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive board members. Dr. Lindsay Ballinger and Dr. Emily Courtney each bring their unique perspectives, insights, and backgrounds to our organization which will help us to serve a greater number of people.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved school, music, and being athletic. I was and continue to be motivated and goal-oriented and I could never sit still for long. I was a freshman in high school when I took my first Intro to Psychology course and I was hooked. The mind, human behavior and emotions, and interpersonal relationships were the most fascinating concepts I had ever explored and I knew from that time I wanted to enter the field of psychology. Also during high school, I suffered from anxiety and depression and lost a friend to suicide. Each of these experiences enhanced my conviction that mental wellness is a grossly underestimated commodity and it would be my responsibility to change that.
Contact Info:
- Website: thewillowfieldfoundation.org
- Email: thewillowfieldfoundation@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/willowfieldfoundation
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thewillowfieldfoundation
Image Credit:
Justin Yoder Studios
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