Meet Tamekis Williams, Lcsw, Cctp, Cgip

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tamekis Williams, Lcsw, Cctp, Cgip a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamekis, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always been a creative person, and that creativity ultimately led me to discover my true purpose. But none of this would have been possible without God’s guidance. My journey began as a cosmetologist, a profession I dedicated 15 years to. However, becoming a mother at 24 sparked a desire for a more stable life and a deeper understanding of my life’s purpose, which I knew wasn’t in cosmetology.

Looking back, I realize that being a cosmetologist was part of God’s plan to place me where I needed to be at that time, even though I didn’t fully understand it. For many, the bond with a barber or hairstylist goes beyond just a haircut; it’s a moment of connection where people share their joys, pains, and dreams while being cared for.

One day, at the age of 27, I experienced a moment of profound clarity. It felt as though I was watching my life from the outside, questioning everything: “Who are you?” “Why are you still doing hair?” “What will you teach your daughter?” I realized I didn’t truly know myself. Up until that point, I had been going through life without questioning my path, simply accepting it as God’s will. But on that particular day, I began to question everything.

This marked the beginning of a three-year journey of self-discovery. I immersed myself in learning new things, reading, exploring meditation, and other practices that promoted positive self-care, mental health, and personal growth. I began asking myself important questions: “What are your favorite colors?” “What is truly important to you in life so that you can provide stability, love, and protection for your daughter?” This journey was transformative, helping me evolve from a young woman into a fully realized adult.

By the time I emerged from this journey, I was 30 years old and determined to go to college. My reasons were multifaceted: I wanted to give my mother the pride of having a college graduate as a child, to set an example for my daughter, showing her the value of education, and to prove to myself that I could achieve this goal, providing a stable career and life for both of us.

When I started college, I was unsure of what to study, so I began as an undeclared major. During a meeting with an advisor, I shared that I loved making people feel beautiful, enjoyed talking, and had a passion for listening. She suggested several fields in the social sciences but never mentioned social work. It wasn’t until I attended a class where the professor discussed social work that I realized he was describing me. I had always played the role of a social worker in my relationships and family, and now I had the opportunity to pursue it professionally.

In retrospect, I see how everything was connected. As a hairstylist, I was already serving as a social worker of sorts, organizing back-to-school drives and raising money for the homeless. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but God was developing the social worker within me, even as I practiced cosmetology. Now, with over 18 yrs. of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist in private practice, I can see how all the dots connect. This is not just my purpose but also part of my life’s assignment, and I believe there is still more out there for me to do. I surrendered and partnered with God.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a Certified Trauma-Informed Professional with over a decade of experience in private practice. My journey in the field has also included roles within various community organizations, such as the Douglas County School System, Community Service Board, Department of Children and Family Services, Public Health, and in-home community-based care.

For the past 10 years, I have been in private practice for 10 years with 7 years of full time practice focusing exclusively on adult clients (ages 21+) and couples. While I no longer work directly with children, I bring over a decade of experience supporting families and children to my practice.

What I love most about my work is witnessing my clients grow and transform right before my eyes. In individual therapy, I deeply value building a strong connection with my clients, walking alongside them on their journey toward healing and personal growth. I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel comfortable being their authentic selves, recognizing that this connection is a cornerstone of the therapeutic process.

I am passionate about representing my field and my practice with integrity and excellence, helping clients navigate life’s challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting change.

My brand is centered on living authentically and discovering the unique gifts within ourselves, so we no longer need to seek external validation to feel valued. I created a women’s empowerment brand called Mission Dorothy, inspired by ” Dorothy” in the timeless movie The Wizard of Oz.

Mission Dorothy is dedicated to empowering women to reclaim their authenticity, embrace their inherent worth, and recognize the abundance of inner gifts they already possess. Our mission is to empower women to reclaim their authenticity while highlighting their inherent worth and abundance of inner gifts they possess within. We encourage women to navigate their personal journeys with confidence and purpose, encouraging them to step fully into their power and live life unapologetically as their truest selves.

Podcast
The Mission Dorothy brand also consists of live events, group coaching, community building book club and a podcast called “Mission Dorothy: The Podcast,”. Our podcast is dedicated to helping you the listener navigate your unique life’s journey by providing insights, inspiration, and practical tools rooted in goal oriented coaching skills, and the timeless wisdom of The Wizard of Oz. We explore the twists, turns, and challenges of life’s journeys. Each episode  encourages each listener to discover your inner strength, embrace your true selves, and realize that you already have everything you need within to find your way home. I provide real tools that people can implement into their lives immediately,  in order to change their lives.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mission-dorothy-the-podcast/id1472948083

Lastly, I also am the author of three books.

Lastly, I also am the author of three books. I have two therapy companion workbook-journals (his & hers). Amazon links are located on the end of each title.

1. Hers: Consciously Choosing Me: Getting my Life Together One Step at a Time.  https://amzn.to/4ea7RVm

2. His: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves Me: It’s Time to Let it All Out. https://amzn.to/4cUFsBB

3. The Truth Dialogues: Push Past Procrastination to Achieve Your Goals: A Transformative Self-Exploratory Questionnaire https://amzn.to/3TbxjBO

I have developed a Therapy Companion Workbook-Journal designed for individuals considering therapy or already engaged in the process. This resource helps you articulate your emotions, engage in meaningful activities to deepen your therapeutic journey, and provides space to document insights and notes from your therapy sessions. It’s a practical tool for fostering self-awareness and enhancing personal growth.

Additionally, I am the author of Push Past Procrastination, part of the Truth Dialogues series. This book is more than just another self-help resource—it’s a transformative guide for cultivating an honest dialogue with yourself. Through a series of thoughtfully crafted questions, it invites you to explore and confront the inner barriers that have been holding you back. By delving into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, Push Past Procrastination empowers you to uncover the root causes of your delays and take meaningful steps toward progress and fulfillment.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, what was most important for me is first and foremost my faith because as a human being, I get tired and I run out of grit sometimes. This is when I also lean on my faith for support. I also feel that I was open to what life had for me instead of trying to challenge everything with perfectionism and block my own lessons and blessings. Lastly, being truthful to your authentic self and not being a copy of someone else. Learning to love yourself and I mean all of yourself which includes the good, the bad, the beautiful and the lovely. We can always work on the things that we are not too fond of but we need to allow the things that we love about ourselves to shine very bright even if it doesn’t fit the status quo.

The advice that I would like to give others is to first and foremost be open to what life has for you. Make sure that you provide a still moment so that you can hear and see the signs leading you in the direction you are to go. Don’t be too picky, try not to challenge everything that does not make sense, or does not fall in line with your perceived life assignment. What you perceive and what God may have for you may be two totally different journeys. Lastly, know that when you were created, everything you needed was deposited in you. Yes, life will come along and bring pain, suffering, and trauma, but please understand that your authentic self is still present within you underneath the layers of life. All you have to do is start the work, which is to peel back the layers so that you can allow your authentic self to bloom and shine.

 

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I must give tribute to my late mother who passed on in November of 2021. Losing my mother was earth shaking for me and still is.Throughout my grief process, I focus on her legacy and who she was to me instead of her passing. After my parents divorce, she became a single mother of 3, who worked very hard to make sure that she could provide a quality life for me and my siblings. My mother dealt with the loss of 2 of her daughters in her lifetime and when I look back at the strength, tenacity and resilience, my mother had throughout her trials and tribulations in life. I can’t help, but to be proud to be a part of the same cloth as my mother. She taught me how to be strong, but not afraid to ask for or accept help, how to be resilient, authentic, and to not seek validation outside of myself. My mother is my role model!

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Tamekis Williams

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