Healthy Living
Brought to you by: Community Partner Still Waters Counseling & Education Center, www.mystillwaters.org
This spring, the first two development interns for Still Waters Counseling and Education Center will graduate from Samford University. Madeline Solis and Milly Criswell are leaving their internships with lessons and experience that they will carry with them into their future endeavors.
Hands-On Experience. “My role as a Community Development Intern at Still Waters allowed me to gain invaluable insight into the specific mental health needs of our community, as well as how to create practical solutions to meet these needs,” Criswell said. Solis adds, “Beverly Ward has been a wonderful mentor, especially in teaching me how to represent a counseling practice on social media. I learned about many specific rules and guidelines I was previously unaware of, and working hands-on under Beverly’s coaching was a great experience.”
Prepared for the Future. “In the future, I can use what I’ve learned with Still Waters to view every interaction I have as a chance to minister to those around me, as well as care for people as the hands and feet of Christ. I love that Still Waters keeps this mindset at the forefront of its mission, and I hope to continue in this pursuit, no matter what my surroundings may be,” Criswell says. Solis felt that the prof
essional feedback she received helped her realize the importance of setting aside her personal aesthetic preferences. “Initially, I created graphics based on my own aesthetic preferences or current trends. After receiving feedback from Beverly, I realized the importance of designing for the therapists, prospective patients, and the overall mission of the practice. Moving forward, I will continue to prioritize the organization’s identity and goals over my personal preferences.”
Investing in the Next Generation. When asked why Still Waters Counseling and Education Center chooses to welcome interns to the team each semester, owner Beverly Ward said, “I choose to invest in the next generation because someone once invested in me, and that support helped shape both who I am and how I lead today. I believe Jesus calls us to train up and pour into the next generation, helping them grow into the gifts and purpose God has for their lives. Development interns bring fresh ideas, energy, and creativity, and it’s a joy to mentor and encourage them as they grow in confidence, skills, and calling so they can make a meaningful difference in our world.”
Still Waters Counseling and Education Center provides quality mental health counseling from a Christian perspective in person in Mountain Brook, Madison, and Dothan, Ala., as well as online anywhere in the state. Areas of service include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, grief, and more. To learn more, visit www.mystillwaters.org, email [email protected], or call 205-825-1423.
-Melissa Armstrong
