Alumni Focus - Elizabeth Walters ('98)
This month’s featured alumna returns to her alma mater every Wednesday to counsel students through the highs and lows of school, relationships, and life in a pandemic. Elizabeth Walters (Birkholz ‘98) is a licensed therapist who brings a Christian, professional perspective on mental health in this challenging year, and shares a few things we can all do.
Elizabeth appreciates the Christian environment, the high quality of education, challenging courses, and the diversity and ability to have an international program at SCLA.
She says, “St. Croix has changed since I attended in terms of the classes offered, the extra-curriculars, and the diversity. However, the truth of God’s word has not changed. It is comforting to know my kids will hear that their Savior died and rose for them and they are forgiven, loved children of God.”
That’s why she is proud to offer Christian counseling services to today’s SCLA students. Elizabeth works at Christian Family Solutions and focuses on therapy and mental health, specifically anxiety and depression.
“Everybody struggles with mental health in some way,” Elizabeth says. She shares a few ideas that can help anyone and everyone, especially in 2020.
“It is important to take care of yourself and to make sure you exercise. Find something that brings you joy. Something easy like reading or a coloring book. Schedule yourself time to go on walks or break away. Be in the moment. Find something fun so you can get a mental break.
“If you are working from home, get up and move around. Create a work space separate from your living space so you can separate your work-life and personal life.”
“Reach out to friends and make time to send them a text or phone call.”
“Be in the Word. It is so important to take time with your Savior to see how He continues to protect us even through the pandemic.”
CFS counselors are currently on campus two days a week, and Elizabeth would love to someday see a full-time counselor at SCLA.
Elizabeth is married to her high school sweetheart Dan Walters (‘98), who is a pastor at association church Good Shepherd Lutheran in Burnsville. They have five daughters all attending SCLA and Good Shepherd Lutheran School: Evjen (11th), Delia (9th), Soleil (7th), Tamasyn (6th), and Antje (4th).