Throughout his more than 20 years of experience in helping individuals with mental health issues Eddie Williams, Ed.D, MSW, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, MCAP, HS-BCP, LMFT has amassed quite the list of post-nominal letters surpassing the length of the alphabet, and with his most recent accomplishment he will be adding four more, LCSW.
Upon passing the National Association of Social Work Board Exam on Dec. 29 Williams rung in the new year with a sigh of relief and a break from study while celebrating a milestone accomplishment. Williams, an associate professor at Pasco-Hernando State College is the first person in Florida to become a licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and licensed clinical social worker.
For Williams his education is far more valuable than any type of monetary gain or recognition that may come. “My number one goal is to help my students and others so I’m really acquiring the licenses and accolades according to my belief that if I’m teaching a curriculum, I should continue to make an effort to know as much as possible in all areas of the field,” said Williams.
Williams teaches a wide variety of courses at PHSC and is the social and human services program director. “95% of my students go into one of these three areas of study so this accomplishment is very meaningful,” said Williams.
During his educational journey he worked in numerous settings including residential, outpatient, inpatient hospitalization and home visits, private practice, and instructional where he has provided individual, couples, family and group counseling for patients with mental health disorders or addiction disorders. Williams has overcome many challenges through the arduous credentialling process to obtain all three licenses.
“Taking on these educational endeavors required a lot of sacrifice of time and finances from the onset of my first bachelor’s degree I’ve had to juggle a work, life, and education balance which hasn’t always been easy,” said Williams.
Through all the time constraints in the pursuit of higher education Williams still finds a way to stay active in numerous community engagements throughout the year and serve as a board member for the Alliance for Healthy Communities and Hernando County Community Health Improvement Plan Partnership. He is currently working on his dissertation for a Ph.D. in social work and enjoys spending time with his family and friends and running marathons when he can.