Meet Dr. Darlene Williams
Welcome to Darlene Williams, Ph.D., trauma-recovery specialist.
Dr. Williams is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years of experience [as of 2022] counseling others with a variety of issues. She has advanced training in forensic psychology, hypnotherapy, & equine-assisted psychotherapy, & largely utilizes transpersonal (including ecotherapy), experiential (e.g., equine-assisted psychotherapy, sand tray, play therapy), & CBT methods to address a variety of issues, across the lifespan (we treat ages 2-102). Dr. Williams treats individuals, couples, families, & groups with a focus on trauma, grief, & loss, dissociative disorders including DID, & couples’ issues. Through her involvement as cofounder and clinical program director of FL nonprofit, Equusolutions, Inc., Dr. Williams offers customized healing workshops & retreats for survivors, and loved ones, caregivers, partners, & therapists of trauma survivors to mitigate secondary traumatization, vicarious trauma, burnout, and/or compassion fatigue.
Utilizing a holistic & transpersonal approach, & incorporating nature for clients so inclined, led Dr. Williams to certification in equine-assisted interventions, utilizing rescue horses to treat trauma survivors, creating sustainability for not only primary trauma survivors, (equines, & humans!), but their caregivers (friends, family, partners, therapists), & the nonprofit barns housing the equines as well.
- In 2006, she co-founded SunSong Retreats, customized weekend healing nature retreats, & CE workshops for individuals, couples, families & agency/corporate groups. Our interventions are also beneficial for cardiac wellness & rehabilitation, & supported by research on cardiac health! See Dr Dean Ornish’s research, & groundbreaking NY Times best-selling book: Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.
- She was a Co-sponsor of APA CE workshops for PTSD & MST, utilizing holistic methods & equine modalities in 2009 & 2013. As a volunteer clinician for given GiveanHour.org since its inception, Dr. Williams co-founded Horse Corps, a free monthly therapy group for military women utilizing equine-assisted psychotherapy to treat PTSD/MST.
- She is the author of journal articles, a book chapter on an innovative treatment program she developed, & dissertation award recipient. Dr. Williams has been interviewed in print, broadcast & Internet radio & on YouTube. She is passionate about sharing her love of & connection to nature & its infinite healing capacity to any & all interested! As a result, Dr. Williams loves to speak & write, & has authored poems, short stories, & short plays; she is currently working on a series of children’s books on healing, based on true-life encounters with wise wild animal friends.
See Dr Williams & Mark Beuhler, LCSW’s chapter on her pioneering work and pilot study for treatment of female juvenile sexual offenders, recruited for presentation at ATSA (Association for Treatment of Sexual Abuse) 1999 international conference, Orlando, FL.
Some of our events for professional therapists include CE’s, so check equusolutions.com for any upcoming events! Personalized corporate events are also available; contact us for a free consult!
Dr. Williams is quoted in this newly released (1/23) seminal text by Lisa Blackburn Ullven.
