Meet Dr. Sandy Davis | Clinical Psychologist and Founder of The Willow Field Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Sandy Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Sandy, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As a psychologist specializing in trauma, I have no choice but to place enormous focus on self-care and work/life balance so that I can continue to perform at a high level and give my best self in both my professional and personal lives. Giving to my personal hobbies and to my family and friends pays me back in ways that are immeasurable. That said, this question becomes more difficult to answer when discussing my nonprofit, as I run it entirely from a volunteer basis. My mission for The Willow Field Foundation is a big one; therapy is incredibly expensive and should not be a luxury, so the desire to serve as many members of our community as possible is met with great challenges. I want the Willow Field to be successful, which means helping as many people as possible. So, doing this in my “free time” outside of work and family is a difficult challenge to meet.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the most important things to explore when starting a nonprofit is whether other nonprofits like yours already exist and if your efforts would be better utilized supporting them rather than starting your own. After 5 years of running The Willow Field Foundation, I have yet to encounter another nonprofit engaged in the same kind of work we do and I think I know why: the mission is so daunting. The average annual cost of weekly therapy is around $8000, which means if we want to serve 10 individuals/families/couples a year, we must raise a minimum of $80,000 per year. This is a genuinely difficult task, one that a lot of organizations do not want to tackle. But I believe it to be necessary. I learned quickly that networking and connecting with people to help them understand how important the work we are doing truly is, is essential. I believe therapy and mental healthcare should be accessible to all people and I hope as people learn about our mission, they will agree and want to find ways to help support our mission.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a fun question for me! I live and travel to eat great food and it’s part of the reason why I have incredible relationships with a ton of local restaurants who are always ready and willing to donate gift cards and other items for our fundraising efforts. Our favorite Plano spots are Whiskey Cake and Union Bear to start. They both feature a great atmosphere, craft cocktails, delicious food, and the best service. Loro is another incredible spot that is both casual and beyond special in their menu and concept. We are members of the Dallas Zoo and I will always feel like a giddy child every time we go. Another off the beaten path spot is Ruins in Deep Ellum for authentic Mexican food and craft cocktails. It’s one of our favorites and worth the drive from McKinney. I shouldn’t neglect soccer, as we are a soccer family. Going to see and FC Dallas match (or the upcoming Dallas Trinity FC women’s team) is a must. We also love the ProRel shop in Downtown McKinney, where you can shop, sip a beer, and watch a match.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband is the most supportive partner I could ever imagine. He understands the emotional demands of my job and is always receptive and accommodating when I need time to recover. Similarly, our two children are very curious and interested in the work I do, and they allow me to talk to them about mental health and how to take care of yourself. My parents and sister have always been my biggest cheerleaders and supported me through every step. There are also a ton of local businesses who always step up to donate for our annual fundraising auctions including – but not limited to – Front Burner Restaurant Group, 33 Restaurant Group, Rose Garden Apiaries, Craft Theory, The Allen Americans, The Dallas Sidekicks, and a ton more. We would not be successful without them.

Website: https://thewillowfieldfoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowfieldfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewillowfieldfoundation

Image Credits
Tazi Photography, Londyn Layne Photography