Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lakeba Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lakeba, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client?(Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

I’m a psychotherapist. The majority of the clients that seek my services do so because they’ve been disappointed. Disappointment can come from many different sources i.e,, parents, partners, friends, colleagues or choices. So, what do we do, when we’re disappointed. I impress upon my client’s to ‘trust the process’ of therapy to learn how to cope in the face of life’s disappointments. It’s a form of self-care, and self-care is the best care. Yes, it will be an investment of your time and money but you’re worth it! I’m in therapy right now. As I enter my golden jubilee (the big 50) I want to make sure I chart a course that is aligned with my life’s purpose. My therapist is helping me do just that. Yes, the therapist goes to therapy, Lol.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Greetings! I am God’s child aka Dr. Lakeba in a professional capacity and Queen to my husband, children and granddaughter. As a psychotherapist, consultant, speaker and author, I help people and organizations move beyond surviving to thriving and to create positive change. I also enjoy working in collaboration with clients to find common-sense solutions to everyday problems. With over 30 years of expertise in creating reparative relationships with my clients, I’ve witnessed time and again, them becoming better able to experience a wide range of emotions and develop an increased capacity to tolerate stress. I just believe in the resiliency of the human spirit, and I’m committed to strengthening my client’s emotional, mental and spiritual health.

I began the entrepreneurial journey called Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC) in Auburn, AL in May of 2012. It is a Black, woman-owned family business. The office is located at 4147 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur GA 30034.

When I was a little girl, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would say, “I want to be a doctor.” I would prescribe Smarties candies as if they were medicine under the big tree across from my grandmother “Mudear’s” house. During my middle school years, I helped to take care of my great-grandmother “Big Momma”. She was a double amputee with diabetes and heart disease. The time that I spent with her helped to shape the woman I am today. I think that started my journey as a Healer.

My formal training includes social work, community agency counseling, adult education, and Christian ministry. That training resulted in advanced degrees that culminated with an earned PhD from Auburn University in 2013. I’ve worked for mental health agencies in the community, non-profits and the psychological services department of a municipality. I also conduct Mental Health workshops in the United States and abroad, to educate participants regarding topics such as; stress, anxiety/depression, grief/loss and when to reach out to a mental health professional. I conducted my most recent workshop on October 11th, 2022 for the Atlanta Missionary Baptist Association’s (AMBA) 119th Annual Session.

As an author, my work includes: Contributing Author in Women of Color Love 2 Book: Love on Vacation Edition (2023); Breathe: The Bible. (tentative title – 2023); Short Stories on Love Written by and Especially for Black Christian Women. (2022); The New Women of Color Daily Devotional (Fall & Summer 2021) Leadership experiences. (2013); Arise devotional – Sisters in Faith Holy Bible: Encouraging and empowering African-American women with God’s truth. (2013); and author of Attachment to God: Exploring its impact on the teaching and learning orientations of Christian adult educators. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation – 2013). I’m currently working on my first published book to be released February 2023.

The FHCC team consists of credentialed professionals: Dr. Lakeba – a licensed professional counselor, Lauren Williams – licensed associate professional counselor, Alondra Givers – a licensed associate professional counselor and a Coach BJ – certified professional life coach. Our services include Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Life Coaching, Workshops/Seminars and Consultations (Personal and Business).

I’m most proud of becoming the President/CEO of the Urban Trauma Awareness and Wellness Project, Inc. (UTAWP) a non-profit my family and I created to promote resilience and wellness in BIPOC communities in 2021. UTAWP’s inception was a part of our recovery after my 19-year-old son was killed in November of 2019. FHCC is hosting The Comedy Show – Laughter is the Best Medicine to raise money for UTAWP on November 12th. You don’t want to miss it! Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I have built my reputation as a top-rated counselor by taking advantage of formal and informal learning opportunities. Everything from maintaining profitability related to patient and practice management to advocating for access to mental/behavioral health services to clients in vulnerable and marginalized communities involves learning how to do it better. If you’re going to be at the top of your game in any endeavor, you have to be a lifelong learner. I’m always reading articles and books, conducting or attending mental health and wellness trainings, watching videos or talking with my colleagues and mentors. My clients want to learn how to take the life they’ve been given and to create the life they want. In order for me to guide each individual (based on their history. background and previous relationship experiences), I have to possess the knowledge to do it.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes, the Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Rheeda Walker, PhD; The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho have profoundly impacted me as a Black mental health professional in a family-owned private practice. These amazing reads have influenced what I do, how I do it and inspire me to continue to BELIEVE in the vision of access to excellent mental health and wellness services for BIPOC communities and everyone!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freshhopetoday.com | UTAWP’s website: www.https://UTAWP.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshhopetoday
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshhopetoday
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/drlakeba
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/freshhopetoday_

Image Credits
Tamika Brown – Content Creator at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, GA