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Therapist Earns Doctorate to Improve Veteran Care

Written by Savannah Woodall on . Posted in Mental health, News, Uncategorized, Veterans.

Jessica Sellers, DSW, Strives to Improve Mental Health Care for Veterans

At WellStone, we are proud to celebrate our frontline workers when they set—and achieve—big goals. 

That’s what we’re excited to recognize Jessica Sellers, one of two WellStone therapists specializing in veteran care. She graduated from the University of Kentucky, earning her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) with a concentration in Military Behavioral Health. Sellers, who is based in Cullman, already holds a BS in psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama. 

“My degree aligns closely with both my long-term career goals and WellStone’s mission of serving communities with compassion and evidence-based care,” said Sellers.  “Throughout my doctoral studies, I focused on increasing provider confidence and competence when working with veterans through the VA Community Care Network. This led to my development of the VALOR Model of Veteran Education Delivery, an educational framework designed to better prepare healthcare and behavioral health providers to serve veteran populations.”

A veteran herself, Sellers adds that the program strengthened her ability to integrate clinical practice, advocacy, research, education, and program development in ways that directly support WellStone’s commitment to accessible, high-quality mental health care.  

 

“The mental health of veterans is important to me because of both my personal experiences and my deep respect for those who have served our country. My military career ended earlier than expected due to injury, so this is how I continue serving.”   

Sellers’ goal is to continue advancing veteran behavioral health initiatives through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care while contributing to provider education, leadership development, and systems improvement across the behavioral health field.  

Thank you, Dr. Sellers, for your service!

The Sara Brotherton Reward Room at WES

Written by Savannah Woodall on . Posted in Fundraising, Mental health, News, Uncategorized, Veterans.

For Sara Brotherton, every child deserved encouragement, love, and the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. A Huntsville native, Huntsville High graduate, and lifelong educator, Sara dedicated her career to helping children reach their potential and celebrate their achievements along the way.

Sadly, Sara’s mission was cut short. She passed away on April 19, 2023, at the age of 43 following a courageous battle with cervical cancer. Today, Sara’s loved ones remember her most for the way she lived. 

After she passed, her mother, Kay Brotherton, made donations to organizations and causes that she believed were close to her daughter’s heart. Children. And animals.

When Kay learned WellStone was building Huntsville’s only extended psychiatric care facility for youth in Madison County, she knew Sara would have cared deeply about this project. 

Kay made a generous gift to the adolescent addition at WellStone Emergency Services (WES), and we named the Reward Room in Sara’s memory.

The Sara Brotherton Reward Room was created to do more than provide a place to play. It is a space where children can celebrate milestones, relax, and be recognized for the progress they make during treatment.

The room features an interactive game projected onto the floor, toys, and comfortable seating designed to help young clients feel encouraged and supported.

“Sara would be pleased to have the Reward Room given in her memory,” Kay said. “She believed that everyone needs a chance to achieve goals. And then they should be rewarded in a positive way.”

Sara carried this philosophy throughout her 17-year career as a special education teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Each school year, she emphasized goal setting with her students and kept a treasure chest in her classroom to encourage progress and celebrate achievements.

“Once a goal was achieved,” Kay explained, “the student could choose something from the treasure box. These were rewards that were not freely handed out but earned.”

From her years at Huntsville High School and Auburn University to her classroom and community, Sara made a lasting difference in the lives of countless children and families.

As a mother of six and an educator herself, Kay cares deeply about children and their well-being.

“I truly believe mental health is the #1 issue facing the world today,” she said.

Today, every child who earns time in the Reward Room experiences a small piece of Sara’s legacy.

Her encouragement, compassion, and belief in celebrating progress lives on through the children and families served at WES. As if Sara’s spirit is there, cheering them on and reminding them that healing, growth, and hope deserve to be celebrated.