We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. DeShaun Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Hi DeShaun, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
A common misunderstanding about my business is that it’s “just about writing.” In reality, Write to Stay is about emotional survival and self-expression, it’s a mental health–centered space that uses writing as a tool for processing pain, finding clarity, and building resilience. People often assume I’m simply helping others produce beautiful words, but my work is about helping them uncover the truths they’ve buried, confront what’s been weighing on them, and create a sense of peace they can carry forward. Writing is the medium, but healing is the mission.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. DeShaun Williams, founder of Write to Stay, a mental health–focused writing company that uses journaling and storytelling as tools for healing and resilience. My work comes from my own journey with depression and the realization that writing isn’t just creative—it can be life-saving. Through our digital products, programs, and speaking engagements, I guide people in using words to process their pain, gain clarity, and create a path forward. Write to Stay exists to remind people that their story matters, and so do they.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My grandmother, my late grandfather, my 7th grade math teacher Doug McGinnis, and my 8th grade ELA teacher Laura Hamilton all saw something in me long before I could see it in myself. They recognized my potential, my voice, and my resilience during a time when I was still figuring out who I was. Their belief in me became a mirror that reflected a version of myself I didn’t yet believe existed, and that early encouragement shaped the way I show up in my work today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me a depth of self-awareness and empathy that success never could. It forced me to sit with my pain, confront my limitations, and discover a strength I didn’t know I had. While success can be validating, suffering strips away the image you present to the world and shows you who you really are. It taught me how to endure, adapt, and still move forward—even when nothing feels certain. That resilience has become the foundation of everything I do.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that mental health support has to be complex, clinical, or in-person to be effective. In reality, tools like guided journaling can be just as transformative, because they give people the space to process their emotions on their own terms. Another lie is that digital mental health services aren’t “real” help. The truth is, writing can reach people where they are, without the pressure of a therapist’s office or a crowded support group, and still lead to meaningful breakthroughs.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I don’t do this for praise or recognition—I do it because I’ve lived it. I’ve walked through hardships, and I live every day with major depression, anxiety, and ADHD. My work is about showing others that even in the middle of the mess, there’s still a way forward. Whether anyone notices or not, I give my best because I know what’s at stake for the people who need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.writetostay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.deshaunw
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