Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Williams.
Hi Annette, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Prior to completing a Masters’s degree in counseling, I was a professor for San Jacinto College, facilitating business and continuing education courses. Although I enjoyed my time at San Jac, God had other plans for me. He said many years ago that I was to become a psychologist or therapist, but I ran from this assignment. After a series of job disappointments and an eventual layoff, I heard God say profoundly, “I said become a therapist!” There was no reason for me not to complete this assignment as my schedule was free from full-time work. Therefore, I enrolled in a Master’s program, completed the requirements, successfully passed the national counseling examination and entered into private therapy practice. Not only do I see clients referred from a plethora of referral services, I also contract with a local foster to adopt agency providing therapeutic and outreach services to Fort Bend families. As a result of my interactions with post-adoptive families, I saw a need to “do more” in terms of preparing parents and families for the adoption process. Again, God showed up and showed out and blessed me to develop several games geared towards helping prospective adoptive parents understand themselves, the adoption process and the children waiting for adoption. My goal is to release my first virtual game in 2023, along with board games.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. I knew early in my Master’s program that I did not want to work for anyone but myself. Although I knew I had to gain practicum and intern experience under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor supervisor, this was just a stepping stone to greatness! Adding to this, there has been and still is a desire to work as a sole proprietor, as I have my own unique style of engaging, arranging and meeting client needs. Early challenges as a sole proprietor did not know all of the ends and outs of running a therapy practice. Also, not feeling confident enough to get the business off the ground, especially as a new therapist, but thanks be to God, I had a strong support system comprised of seasoned therapists who helped me and encouraged me along the way. Yes, I made some mistakes, but I learned from them and I am thankful that I didn’t throw in the towel.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, as well as a Registered Play Therapist and a Certified Autism Specialist who is in private practice. Additionally, I am also a Program Manager for a Houston based foster to adopt agency. As a counselor, I meet the mental health needs of children and adults. As a Program Manager, I am responsible for developing outreach programs for families as well as providing therapy services, resources and moral support. Coupled with this, I’ve tasked myself with seminal works to improve the lives of adoptive parents and adoptive children through gaming. What I am most proud of is my ability to take counseling and interventions beyond brick and mortar; creating board games that will provoke open and honest discussions regarding adoption and adoptive placement. Additionally, I am equally proud of the relationships I have fostered with peers and parents in this community.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my creativity as it pertains to providing mental health services. I don’t merely assign tasks for families to complete; I actively engage with them, telling, showing and doing, aiding families in their success. More recently, I was asked to complete blogs for an adoption agency website and completed my first blog on November 1, 2022. Peers who critiqued the blog shared their joy in reading it because it was heartfelt and personal.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a creative child growing up and I have always been an extrovert. I never meet strangers and enjoy traveling to meet people around the world. By the time I was 8 years old, I knew I wanted to be a doctor of some sort and in 2010, I completed a doctorate degree in Organizational Behavior with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. In elementary school, I participated in the school choir and theater. I was a Brownie and eventually Girl Scout. By middle school, I was a Booster in the pep squad and sang in the school choir. In high school, I was the President of the Afro-American club, captain and feature twirler of the majorettes, President of the school choir, voted most beautiful and crowned second runner-up for homecoming queen. Adding to this, I enjoyed singing and sang in the school’s jazz band under the direction of Samuel Jackson. After graduating from high school, I joined Julian Donor’s theater group and landed the lead role as Maria in Westside Story. I continued singing and joined the Visions Band and later the Best Kept Secret Band in Houston, Texas. Through my experiences with these bands, I had the opportunity to headline for Frankie Beverly and Maze, Kelly Price, Shalamar, Peabo Bryson, Patti Labelle and more. I completed a vocal project with Stephen Richard and worked on a few projects with the late Joe Sample.
Although I enjoy singing, it isn’t my passion anymore as my focus is elsewhere and that passion is helping others through my practice and gaming. But still, there is more. I started a non-profit organization in 2017 dedicated to meeting the needs of the less fortunate and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. To date, I have worked in Lima, Peru, Ghana, Africa, Togo, Africa, Silkgrass, Belize and domestically in the United States. I also volunteer at various foster group homes, started rescue Rahab dedicated to meeting the needs of Houston prostitutes (resources provided). I am involved in prison ministry and a nursing home outreach effort.
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