Ali Williams is the 'uncomplicated' therapist specialising in healing trauma codes in the brain and body. After losing her mother at the age of 16 to breast cancer, and receiving two cancer diagnoses herself, Ali chose wisdom, not war. After studying formally to become a qualified therapist, Ali has developed programs and strategies to help women focus on healing their own lives. Her first published book reflects the theme of taking responsibility for happiness. Ali believes everyone has the opportunity to claim their birth right to be happy regardless of circumstances.
Ali Williams, Therapist
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
As a woman in my 50s with Stage 4 cancer, I am embracing this decade of power to live my best life. Living a life of wellness is my number one priority. Of course, that is closely balanced with my love for my beautiful family. My professional artist husband Phil, and our blended six children (three boys and three girls) who are now all adults with their own partners, ensures our house can be loud and joyful! I dedicate a large amount of my time to my sacred healing practices. The morning is my non-negotiable time for peace. At the risk of sounding like a different kind of profile, I also enjoy long walks on the beach, being connected to the land, traveling, movies, and the occasional binge on Netflix!
What is the primary mission of your work as a therapist?
My passion is working with mothers to guide them on the path to healing and growth. My mission is to create change in the world as a result. Mothers who dedicate their lives to serving others, be it family, work, or business, are at risk of losing their identity and power. When impacted by expectations and traumas passed down from previous generations, patterns repeat in families. When mothers decide to take responsibility for changing past behaviors and beliefs, they break cycles and empower the future that our children will lead.
Can you provide some background on how and why you started this business?
I never intended to become a therapist or to start my own business. When I reached my epiphany about what I learned throughout my healing experiences, the fire in my belly took over. I knew I needed to start teaching women to do the same. I didn't know anything about starting a business, but I started by creating my first Facebook Group and studied formally to become a certified therapist with a Diploma of Psychology. After sharing my knowledge and learnings, my work grew organically through connections and word of mouth. Sometimes I pinch myself when I reflect how far I've come.
What services do you offer, and what sets them apart from competitors?
I offer online services ranging from 1:1 intensive sessions to group programs and workshops. I focus on the person, not just the problem. I delve into the science of the mind, how our physical bodies communicate with us, and personal energy. The synergy of all three aspects tells the full story of a client's current experiences. The difference in my work is I am known as the 'uncomplicated' therapist. There's no fancy language or complex concepts in sight. There's enough going on in this world to complicate our lives, and healing work deserves the dedication to stripping it all back. I believe that less is more when it comes to transformation.
Can you share any success stories or customer testimonials related to your business?
I have the privilege of working with powerful women who take responsibility for their lives to create change, and in doing so experience wonderful outcomes. This is the story of one of my clients. "I reached out to Ali in what felt like my darkest hour. The love, support, and professionalism she has shown me has allowed me to slowly regain some of the light where there was only darkness. Her compassion and sensitivity to such a personal struggle has been soul saving. Ali has such a unique way of getting to the heart of my struggles and we work together to detach from the thoughts and feelings which have been crippling me to move forward. Ali's approach is nurturing and empowering. I walk away from our sessions with such a huge amount of clarity and a clear mind. Thank you, Ali."
How does a client get started with you on their healing experience?
With the gift of technology making international connections easy, I work with women all over the world. Challenging time zones can always be figured out! When a client decides to invest in their personal evolution, we start with understanding what they desire to change. How do they want to feel, what do they wish to experience? I help them discover their insights of how their life experiences have created their thoughts and beliefs. With that knowledge, and strategies to release survival patterns holding them back, they are able to immerse in their new world of possibilities and joy. I have to say, it gets pretty exciting!
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
My greatest achievement so far is publishing my first book, The Glorious Responsibility of Happiness. It is uncomplicated in it's appearance but it is not to be underestimated. It is an easy read, designed to be kept next to the bed with a daily invitation to consider your mindset and perception. The book is a collection of my teachings and writings since starting my work as a therapist.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
When I was 16 my mother and grandmother both passed away from breast cancer. The years that followed as I grew into adulthood were filled with dysfunction and grief. By the time I married for the first time at 26, anxiety and depression were a big part of my life and my psyche. After becoming a mother to three children, I went through an ugly divorce. This was the beginning of my healing work and finding my way back to joy. I eventually remarried, to Phil, and we created our family of eight. Six months after our wedding I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In all the trauma, I knew there was a bigger meaning. I thought I knew my stuff before this, but I was being called to embrace the gift of cancer to do my deepest work within. I realized how my behaviors as a result of trauma had played out in my life. I parented through fear, I was reactive, I was critical of myself, and lacked self-worth. After reconciling my inner work, and a second Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, my thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are all so different. I am grateful for cancer being part of my life. I know many people may find that hard to understand, especially as it has been the source of much suffering in my life, but it has taught me to choose wisdom, instead of victim.
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Learn more about Ali: click here.
