The Samford CARES staff continues developing its commitment to holistic campus care by investing in long-term formation of students’ emotional, relational, spiritual and academic flourishing.  

All full-time counselors have completed certification in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), a clinically sophisticated approach focused on understanding how early relational experiences shape identity, emotional regulation and patterns of attachment and connection. 

“The NARM certification represents a meaningful step forward for our team and for the students we serve. It reflects our commitment to providing care that is both deeply compassionate and clinically excellent,” said April Robinson, assistant vice president for student development and support.  

Advanced training enables counselors to help students understand the underlying patterns that shape their experiences during college. With identity formation and increased independence are at the forefront of student minds, counselors encourage students toward greater self-awareness and emotional resilience, fostering lasting growth rather than temporary relief, Robinson said 

Rich Yoakum, director of counseling services, pointed to students returning home at the end of every semester and to the social and academic expectations of peers as practical examples of how this training has a direct impact. Understanding how students perceive themselves—and recognizing what causes stress and negativity—helps students to redeem aspects of their past and find a way forward.  

Samford CARES has seen its greatest level of utilization in the past four years, and with the NARM certification now complete, students and counselors will be able to grow in knowledge and achieve more effective solutions together, Yoakum said.  

This training follows The Princeton Review naming Samford to its honor roll of universities committed to student mental health, distinguishing the CARES staff as a national leader in meeting students' needs and creating a campus-wide culture of care.  

Robinson said her team’s role at the university is to make students feel known, supported and invited to grow.  

“This certification equips us to do that with greater wisdom and intentionality,” she said. Counseling students goes beyond academic success—it’s a calling rooted in Samford’s Christian mission and values.  

“This work is deeply aligned with our Christian mission. At Samford, we believe that each student is created in the image of God and is worthy of care that honors the fullness of who they are. NARM’s emphasis on dignity, connection, and restoration resonates deeply with that belief.”