Join me in welcoming our newest team member Jeremy Gillentine.   He was kind enough to write a few words about himself.   Jeremy is currently accepting new referrals.  

I am a native of Prattville, AL. I attended Prattville public schools K-12. I have worked in and around Prattville my whole life. I am working with Social Work Solutions as an intern to complete my Masters of Science in Counseling from Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL. The world can sometimes be harsh and attempt to tear us down. My goal is to help each person I see to be aware of there faults (we all have them), but more importantly to help strengthen the positives and then to build on those great attributes. We typically have the things we need to be a better version of ourselves within us. I want to help you shine the spotlight on your personal strengths.

Join us for a FREE Self Esteem Workshop!

Monday July 31, 2017

6-7:30 pm

235 Court Street

Ages 10-16 

It's officially summer!  Lots of exciting things happening at Social Work Solutions this summer.  Not the least of which is the addition of Nasira Mukendi as an MSW intern.   Mrs. Mukendi is already a very accomplished professional and I am thrilled to have her on the team.

Nasira was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area California. She joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves at the age of 18 and worked in an aeromedical staging unit, which is a mobile hospital for wounded military members. Nasira served in the Air Force for six years as she finished her B.S in biomedical sciences in 2009. Nasira met her husband in military training in Texas and they have been married 7 years and have 4 daughters. As a military family, they have lived in 4 different states and two countries. Nasira received her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Florida International University in 2011 focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. After receiving her Master’s Nasira began working in military drug education, detection, and deterrence. Nasira has volunteered in event planning, organizing and fundraising with various military family support organizations, the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association. Nasira enjoys traveling, visiting historic sites and trying world cuisines. She loves spending time with family, cooking, sports and reading. 

During her internship Nasira will be participating in community activities, advocating on behalf of clients as well as developing and implementing policy initiatives.   Her considerable skills are an asset to the community and we are thrilled to have her at Social Work Solutions.  She will also be available to see a limited number of clients in individual sessions. 

  To set up an appointment call (334) 730-0909

Sarah's graduating next week and this is her last day at Social Work Solutions. I love having students working in the office, except for when its time to say goodbye.   Here are her thoughts on this experience.

As my time at Social Work Solutions comes to a close, I’m beginning to notice what a big part of my life my internship has been for the past nine months. I have learned numerous clinical skills and had fun getting to know Jennifer and all the clients that I have encountered. Although people who come into the office for therapy are most often sad or in need of help, I have learned that many people have strengths they don’t normally notice or know about themselves and it has been my greatest pleasure to help them notice those things. I would advise anyone looking for help to take a look inside yourself and search for your strengths; they will help you on your journey.

            Thank you to Jennifer for sharing yourself both professionally and personally. I have loved hearing stories of your family and about your experiences as a social worker. I will keep your gentle mannerisms and upfront ways with me throughout my career. Most of all, thanks for showing me true authenticity.

            I’m so excited to graduate after having begun this journey eight years ago and thanks to all of you who have been a part of it. Cheers!

Sarah has a wonderful vision for the group she is organizing.   Please check it out and consider if you or someone you know could benefit from this opportunity:

I have a passion for helping those with mental illness, specifically populations that may feel lonely during times of need. I want to start this Expectant Mothers with Mental Illness Support Group to offer a safe and private place for them to receive support. One in every four women will experience some type of depressive episode at some point in their lives. This includes pregnant women. Taking medication during pregnancy for mental illness is decided by whether doing so will harm the baby. Because of this, many women must go off their medication while pregnant because it could potentially harm the baby. The group will allow them to share ideas with each other about healthy ways they have been coping and how to strengthen their self-care while pregnant, especially those who cannot take medication. This group may be a way to prevent the symptoms of post-partum depression by catching it early. By doing this support group, I hope to bring awareness to mental illness during pregnancy and increase compassion for women during a time that they may need extra emotional support. This group will be an open group and will meet the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month. For more information, please contact Sarah at 334-625-8202 or email at sarahmccracken48@gmail.com.

We  are delighted to welcome, Sarah McCracken to the practice.  Sarah is completing the second year of her Masters of Social Work program through Edinboro University.  She will be with the practice until May of 2017 as she completes of 500 hours of field experience.

Sarah is a native of Pennsylvania.  She received her BS in Psychology from Thiel College.  She married the boy next door (literally her next door neighbor) after graduation.  Shortly therafter, she and her husband began moving wherever the Army sent him.  She is Mom to two active boys, a lover of pasta, big socks and good books.  Sarah practices yoga regularly, and is interested in finding ways that yoga practice can benefit her client.

Sarah will be scheduling appointments beginning Sept 12th.   Sliding scale appointments are available with her as well.

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already May! Unfortunately, with the uncomfortable warm weather (I blame the hormones- I normally love warm weather!) comes the end of my time at Social Work Solutions. The past four months have been both a blessing and a whirlwind. I have worked in a foster care setting for the past two and a half years, so to be in a clinical setting was a huge transition, but one I welcomed since my goal is to work as a clinical social worker. In these few short months, I have learned more than I could ever hope to explain, and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. I can NEVER EVER thank Jennifer enough for allowing me to come in and work with her and her clients this year. I hope that I was able to help some of them as much as they have helped me! Working with Jennifer (and Terri!) has solidified that clinical social work is where I hope to eventually land.

I am sad to be leaving, but so excited to see what the future holds, in both my personal life (Hello Baby Abby MaeJ) and my professional life. In the future, I hope to open my own private practice in my hometown and work as a registered play therapist, specializing in Animal-Assisted Therapy. The experience I gained working at Social Work Solutions will be in invaluable in this endeavor. Again, I cannot say thank you enough to Jennifer, Terri, and our wonderful clients for all of their help, support, and the numerous lessons over these past few months. Thank you, thank you, thank you!