Norissa Williams

Norissa Williams

Name: Norissa Williams

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Contributions: Counseling Interventions for the Internalized Oppression of African Descendent Women

Identities: Black, Trinidadian-American, woman, straight, differently-abled

Language(s) Spoken: English

Phone: (516) 429-2246

Address: 120-32 218th Street, Cambria Heights, NY, 11411

Website: TheCulturalCompetenceInstitute.com


Get to know me: I have a love and passion for addressing the inequities experienced in our society and have dedicated my career pursuits to increasing the knowledge, skills and awareness of those who serve marginalized groups and addressing “-isms” on the macro level.
What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me? Affirmative psychotherapy is a space in which marginalized groups, particularly sexuality- and gender-expansive people, are offered a healing context that allows for true liberation and growth.

What populations do you teach and for whom do you consult?

How do you approach issues of diversity, equity, and cultural humility with them? I provide diversity, equity and inclusion consultation to various health and human service organizations, including child welfare, hospitals and the criminal justice systems. My approach is grounded in the understanding of; the dynamics of power and privilege; social justice; and how systems impact individual functioning. In my work, I seek to increase awareness as well as offer practical ways to develop more affirmative, structurally competent environments.

What is my approach to healing?

When in practice, I use an integrative, anti-oppressive, multicultural, social justice approach. Those I serve tend to be marginalized, and I challenge them to understand how macro influences impact individual well-being and work with them to gain a sense of agency in their lives. I believe we can’t heal each other but can create a context of healing, and that is what I seek to do in my clinical work.

What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?

Anxiety, depression, life adjustments, immigration impacts on family dynamics, internalized oppression.

EDUCATION & LICENSE

Education: PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology, Masters of Social Work

Years in Practice: 17

School: Fordham University, Stony Brook University

Year Graduated: 2014, 2003