Duane Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners. He is also a Board-Approved Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPC) Supervisor. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Mr. Williams earned a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. He has over 20 years of professional work experience in various settings, including office, home and community-based, adolescent group homes, adult correctional facilities, and vocational training programs for adolescents and young adults. His expertise encompasses community-based social services, foster care, and mental health. He empathizes with the emotional and developmental needs of individuals and families. He has experience helping clients develop emotional regulation skills to cope with life stressors, including anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting, couple relationships, and child/family conflicts.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, my priority is to understand the client's life experiences and the impact it has had on their functioning. I completely understand that life can be unpredictable and sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. That's why I try to focus on what they have been through, rather than what might be wrong with them. It's important to approach each situation with empathy and compassion and I am here to offer my support. I approach each session with a nonjudgmental attitude, and my goal is to create a safe and secure environment for every client. All of my services are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Mr. Williams implements an eclectic treatment approach. He utilizes various treatment modalities (I.e., motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy) to help clients understand how their thoughts impact their feelings and behaviors. Clients are encouraged to acknowledge and dispute their distorted thinking patterns that negatively affect their behaviors and emotions. Mr. Williams also supports alternative thinking patterns, appropriate choices, and utilization to enhance, rebuild, and heal broken lives and relationships. Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused, and Marriage and Family Therapy are other therapeutic approaches Mr. Williams uses.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Mr. Williams' biggest strength as a therapist is his empathetic understanding of the plight of children, adolescents, couples, and families. He has experienced trauma throughout his childhood. He has endured extremely adverse childhood experiences, leading to his mental health challenges. Through commitment, perseverance, and spirituality, Mr. Williams overcame his dilemmas and has dedicated his life to helping others overcome theirs. This is why he chose the counseling profession. It is not, "what is wrong with you" instead, it is "what has happened to you?"