Freddie Eugene Williams, LMFT, LAADC. I'm a California and Arizona Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, specializing in addictions. Self-care, self-awareness, relationships, and behavior change are the most important aspects of mental wellness and recovery. I will meet you where you are on your healing journey, explore your mental wellness goals and help you improve the quality of your life.
My approach
My therapeutic treatment approach consists of Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical (DBT) and Solution Focused Brief (SFBT).
My focus
The client population that I typically work with are young adults (18-24 y.o.) and adults (25-64). My focused area is: Substance Abuse Disorder, Co-Occurring Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders and Stress/Anger Management. Male adult clients only, for therapy and addiction counseling.
My communication style
I create my sessions from a client-centered approach supporting and partnering with my client in an environment of acceptance, understanding, and unconditional positive regard for my client's well-being which freely allows them to verbalize and consider their thoughts, behaviors, and motivations for change.
My journey to mental healthcare
My family of origin was very dysfunctional; Dad was a physically and verbally abusive alcoholic that couldn't maintain employment. My mother was passive, uneducated, and unemployed. Because of Dad's alcoholism, my childhood was very short-lived. At 7 years of age, I was thrust into the major breadwinner role in my family of 5 siblings and I grew up in the streets of Los Angeles, exposed to drugs, alcohol, criminal activity, and eventually jails and prisons; making money to feed my mom and siblings by any means necessary and that lifestyle consumed the majority of my childhood and most of my adult life. Today, I am a grateful recovered alcoholic/addict with 21 years of continuous sobriety. I started my career as a substance abuse counselor, returned to school, and obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree to help others on a deeper level. Because someone reached out to help me recreate my life, I have a passion for working with individuals in crisis with an emphasis on addressing co-occurring substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder issues from which I suffered too. My passion, compassion, and motivation for helping people improve their quality of life are ingrained inside my soul and spirit from my life experience and my recovered life.
My goals for you
I set goals with my clients by utilizing CBT/DBT modalities: Identify with the client his SMART goals which mean: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. After identifying a goal, agree on a starting point, and small steps toward your goal by putting the steps in order, considering obstacles, and getting started. Troubleshooting when goals aren't met to enhance continued goal practice and motivation.
My first session with you
The first session will primarily focus on gathering information that helps me get an idea of what brought you into therapy and what are your therapy expectations. I will explain my credentials and scope of practice and training, therapy practice policies, mandatory disclosure forms, limits of confidentiality as well as building trust and rapport as we explore the current issues impacting your life.