Wheeler’s internship program provides hands-on, meaningful learning experiences for students preparing for careers in behavioral health and community-based care. This month, we are pleased to highlight one of many social work interns, Eva Davidson.
Eva Davidson, a Master of Social Work candidate from the University of Saint Joseph, is currently interning at our Waterbury Family Health & Wellness Center.
Eva support
s adults with substance use disorders. Her role includes completing intakes for new patients, providing additional support for ongoing treatment, and meeting with clients one-on-one. Eva’s goal is always the same: to be a genuine, empathetic presence for people who need it most.
Having grown up in Woodbury, Eva has always been familiar with the Waterbury area—and Wheeler’s mission deeply resonated with her. With experience in both medical and behavioral health settings, she saw Wheeler as the perfect opportunity to blend her skills while learning in an environment that values whole-person care and equitable access.
Eva is intentional about using her internship as a space for growth. Professionally, she hopes to gain experience working in new environments and helping patients who face significant barriers to treatment. Personally, she aims to strengthen her diagnostic skills and become more confident in assessing patient needs.
Her long-term goal? To open her own private practice serving adults, incorporating animal-assisted therapy, emotional support animals, and equine-assisted interventions.
When asked about the strengths she brings to Wheeler, Eva immediately highlighted her ability to be authentic. She believes in meeting people where they are, building trust through genuine conversation, positive energy, and empathy. These qualities help her form meaningful connections with clients from the very first interaction.
Eva is most excited about soaking up as much knowledge as possible—whether that’s through visiting different Wheeler locations, learning from other departments, or gaining exposure to diverse populations like those in Bristol.
And she wants to give special recognition to her supervisor, “… Sonya Roe, LCSW, who’s been really great, patient, and explains things thoroughly. It has been a great positive experience [working alongside her].”
Eva shared one more personal detail that shapes who she is today: she was adopted from Central America and raised by a single mother. Her background informs her perspective, helping her connect with individuals from various walks of life.