Sitting Well at the Well Ministries, Inc. (SWAW)
Sitting Well at the Well Ministries, Inc. (SWAW) was founded in 2021 by Dr. Jeanne Brooks to address the growing need for effective crisis and trauma care among individuals, communities, and organizations. SWAW is a multidisciplinary organization of experienced professionals committed to educating, treating, and supporting healing from trauma on a local, national, and international level.
Dr. Jeanne Brooks brings over 35 years of experience in the mental health field, including 17 years as a faculty member at Liberty University. Her areas of expertise include crisis intervention, trauma care, and forensic evaluation. Under her leadership, SWAW integrates clinically sound practices with biblically grounded principles to deliver compassionate and effective care.
SWAW provides counseling services locally in the Lynchburg, Virginia area while also offering high-quality training for students and residents. The organization’s broader vision includes hosting community healing events in response to crises such as school shootings, natural disasters, and community violence; facilitating restorative retreats for leaders experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, or secondary trauma; and coordinating international missions that equip professionals and paraprofessionals to serve effectively within their fields.
Overview of Services:
Sitting Well Counseling & Training Center
Established in 2022, the Sitting Well Counseling & Training Center expands the mission of SWAW by offering a comprehensive range of counseling services focused on life crises, trauma, and trauma recovery.
The SWAW clinical team is composed of highly trained professionals dedicated to walking alongside individuals as they navigate pain, loss, and life challenges. Clinicians are equipped to address a wide range of mental health concerns with both clinical excellence and compassionate care.
SWAW accepts most insurance plans and offers a sliding fee scale for self-pay clients. Reduced rates are also available through resident and intern services, ensuring accessibility to high-quality care.
SWAW Community Events:
SWAW Community Events are designed to bring healing, restoration, and unity to communities impacted by trauma and division. Through strategic partnerships with local churches and organizations, SWAW deploys teams of clinicians and worship leaders to support communities in crisis.
Services include:
- Crisis stabilization and trauma response
- Community healing initiatives addressing racial, social, and political division
- Training and equipping local leaders and professionals
- Support for organizational leaders experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma
The mission is to empower churches, ministries, and mental health professionals to lead their communities toward healing—both in the aftermath of crisis and amid ongoing division—while fostering an environment that embraces diversity and promotes unity.
Be Still and Know Retreat Center
The Be Still and Know Retreat Center offers immersive, multi-day retreat experiences specifically designed for leaders and professionals working in high-stress, trauma-focused environments.
Each retreat provides:
- Times of worship and spiritual renewal
- Customized educational sessions tailored to organizational needs
- Activities that reduce stress and promote emotional and mental well-being
- Individualized sessions with trauma care professionals
A key component of the retreat is the development of a personalized care plan for each participant, addressing burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, along with structured follow-up support. This program is intentionally designed to restore and sustain those serving in demanding ministry and clinical roles worldwide.
Professionals Without Borders
Professionals Without Borders creates opportunities for mental health professionals to engage in both national and international outreach. Participants collaborate with ministries and organizations serving traumatized populations, offering training, mentorship, and hands-on support.
This program allows professionals to:
- Integrate clinical expertise with a missional approach
- Train and equip local leaders in trauma-informed care
- Mentor students and emerging professionals in real-world settings
- Gain cross-cultural experience while expanding their professional skill set
Participants work alongside indigenous leaders to deliver workshops and practical training in trauma care, self-care, and crisis response. These collaborations strengthen local systems of care while promoting sustainable impact.
As part of this initiative:
- Indigenous leaders receive professional development certifications and resources at no cost
- Mental health professionals earn certificates of training and may receive continuing education credits
Training areas include:
- Cultural competency and diversity
- Neuroscience of trauma
- Long-term effects of untreated trauma
- Neurological stabilization
- Crisis assessment and intervention
Our Commitment
At SWAW, we are committed to providing clinically excellent, spiritually grounded, and culturally responsive care. Whether serving individuals in counseling, equipping leaders through training, or restoring communities after crisis, our goal is to bring lasting healing, resilience, and hope.