Deborah Williams

I entered the counseling profession because I wanted to contribute to reducing human suffering and I felt that I could contribute most effectively in mental health. I started off as an inpatient substance abuse counselor in Anchorage, Alaska and Gig Harbor, WA for the first 7 or 8 years of my career and then went back and got a Master's of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology and went into Community Mental Health for 10 years. I have been in private practice for the past 6 years and continue to maintain my credentials through ongoing education. I am trained in CBT, Solution Focused therapy, Motivational interviewing therapy, EMDR, Trauma CBT, relationship counseling-especially Gottman techniques, working with sexual offender's, and addictions training. I achieved a CDCII certification in Alaska and a CPT certification in WA in substance abuse and addiction therapy.

I am very direct and interactive with my clients. I view the counseling relationship as a mentoring relationship based on mutual trust and a committment to finding a path to happiness.

My clients can expect me to be open, friendly, respectful and caring. I encourage a goal orientation with clients and assist people to articulate what their expectations are for therapy, what they are hoping to achieve, and to proceed accordingly.