Richard S. Williams, LMFT (MFC 35761)
I believe that in order for people to grow intellectually, physically, and emotionally, we must be grounded by a sense of who we are as individuals and who we would like to be with others. Being able to connect and maintain healthy, lasting relationships with others provides the psychological opportunity to feel competent and confident in ourselves. It is easy to trust others if we feel secure with ourselves.
When we experience times in our lives when this confidence is tested, we can become reluctant to reach out for help, and tend to either withdraw from or lash out against others. This is what we refer to as being “stuck”. We have many labels to describe being stuck (anxiety, depression, marital conflict, anger, etc.). It is when we are stuck that we need to reach out to others for help. This is very difficult to do. If you can only reach out, sometimes the help you need is there.
I specialize in working with young children, school-aged children, teens, and their families. I have extensive experience treating child and adolescent problems such as ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, school and academic problems, anxiety, and depression. I also work with children and adults who need help with stress, adjustment problems, communication problems, grief and loss, and marital and relationship difficulties.
I have been working with children and their families in a variety of settings for over 30 years. In addition to my private practice, I currently work as a clinical supervisor for several community mental health agencies in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. Before entering private practice, I was the program director for the early intervention and outpatient programs at Sierra Vista Child and Family Services. I am also the former program coordinator for a residential treatment program serving children with severe emotional disturbances. In addition to my clinical work, I served for seven years as the director, co-owner, and teacher of a non-profit child development center. I received a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from UC Berkeley in 1975, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, in 1993. I have been licensed as a marriage and family therapist since 1999.