Dubbed “The Voice”
Turning adversity into opportunity, and giving a voice to those whose voices are not often heard.
Keynotes, conferences, workshops and trainings that leave audiences uplifted and equipped to do more.
02A Ph.D. in Leadership and Education, an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and 25 years in the field.
03“Mental Health is Health.” Author of the acclaimed memoir My Mother's Keeper.
Meet Dr. Sheila
Dr. Sheila D. Williams®, Ph.D., has been dubbed “The Voice” for her natural ability to advocate for those whose voice is not often heard. She is the CEO of SW Consulting Services, LLC, a Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author and Empowerment Speaker.
After caring for her mother, who suffered from clinical depression, Dr. Sheila pursued her education and career in the mental health field. She later saw the connection between at-risk students and social and emotional challenges, and moved into higher education administration. Her career across mental health and education now spans more than 25 years.
A high school guidance counselor once told her that college was “not for her.” Dr. Sheila would not take no for an answer, and turned each challenge into proof that yes, I can. She has walked through caregiving for both parents, a near-death experience with sepsis, and the reinvention that followed, and she speaks about all of it with honesty, faith and joy.
Read her story
25+ years in mental health & educationBook Dr. Sheila
Dr. Sheila is a dynamic, informative and inspiring keynote speaker, highly sought after for her thrilling oratory skills and game-changing wisdom. She will leave your audience, congregation or group thoroughly intrigued, uplifted, and stocked with the tools and drive to do more.
Unsung Hero Award honoree
Qualified to lead the conversation
Dr. Sheila pairs lived experience with advanced training, so audiences get both the heart and the expertise.
Leadership and Education
Mental Health Counseling
Psychology, minor in Sociology
Certified Trauma Professional
Anxiety Certified Educator
John Maxwell Team certified coach & speaker
The memoir
Her mother gave birth to her, became her first friend and encouraged her through that scary kindergarten year, which led to a lifelong love of education. Yet Dr. Sheila learned the most from her mother during her battle with clinical depression and later diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
My Mother's Keeper chronicles a sometimes dysfunctional but endearing friendship that endured a parental role reversal when her mother's mental health forced ten-year-old Sheila to be responsible for herself, and later made her her mother's primary caregiver. It is a moving tribute to a mother-daughter bond that defied the odds and thrived in unshakeable love until the very end.
My Mother's Keeper is a passionate story about love, patience, and unconditional commitment. It moves the heart and describes a bond of tenderness, sacrifice and sweet moments that are precious and unforgettable. I'm touched and my healing has begun, thank you Dr. Williams.
The candid accounts of the author's tests and trials made it an easy read. The passionate love between this mother and daughter is undoubtedly based on the love of God.
Riveting with emotions, once I began reading this book I could not put it down or wait to turn the next page. Filled with chronicled accounts of what love looks like from the eyes of a child that grows to be a successful adult, under the guise of a quiet yet STRONG mother.
It touches on so many issues that are not spoken about in the black community: how mental illness is not addressed, the bond between mother and daughter, lack of community services when one is dealing with aging and sick parents. It shows that with all of these life challenges one can still persevere.
I literally sat down and began to read these words and instantly I could visualize a movie playing in my mind. I recommend this book to all the young men out there trying to gain some insight of unconditional love. Must read, fellas!
Dr. Sheila truly opened up her heart in this book. This book will give you a better appreciation of love, life, happiness and how important it is to seek healing after traumatic experiences.
Mental health advocacy
Mental health is one of the most important parts of living a personally and professionally successful life, yet it is often overlooked and ignored. Because of the stigma still attached to mental illness, Dr. Sheila believes that by providing education and awareness, and being transparent about her own life's challenges, she can bring hope and healing to others.
She remains active in her community, works closely with the education system to bring mental health therapy to schools, and partners with the ACLU on legislation for mental health services for inmates and their families, addressing the social and emotional trauma that both often face.
It is time for change and if I stand alone, so be it. I will not stop until I've made a positive difference in the way the world views Mental Health.Dr. Sheila D. Williams®
Mental Health is HealthWhat others are saying
“It's rare that you come across standout talent like Dr. Sheila D. Williams. I met Dr. Williams on the set of her television show, The Dr. Sheila Show. I left the filming of that episode thinking that I had just met the next Oprah Winfrey. She connects with her guests and her audience in ways not unlike Charlie Rose or Barbara Walters.”
“Dr. Sheila Williams is an extraordinary woman in that she has endured many of the experiences she speaks about. I applaud her as a motivational speaker, one who is destined to positively impact lives.”
“Dr. Sheila Williams is a great writer, teacher and communicator, but she also provided me with some great coaching that literally transformed my approach to balancing my career with my calling.”
“It is rare to encounter someone who not only learns from adversity, but also uses it to help others heal and grow. She is that rare individual who is every bit as real in person as she is in her writing. If you have not had the opportunity to read her book or hear her speak, you are missing out!”
“Dr. Sheila Williams is an excellent leader, author, and speaker. Her transparent style translates into her speaking and facilitation. I've had the pleasure of hearing her speak on several occasions in which she has touched her audiences with her ability to be relatable.”
Media appearances
Television, radio, print and podcasts across the country.
Watch The Dr. Sheila Show and more Invite Dr. Sheila as a guest
Coaching & training
Dr. Sheila's coaching starts with understanding you: how you think and how you see your situation. From there she offers a new perspective, stretching and growing you to see a more empowering way. As a certified John Maxwell coach, she helps you see what is ahead, then comes alongside you to reach your goals and overcome limiting paradigms.
Gallery
On stage, in the community, and just being herself.
Contact & booking
To book Dr. Sheila to speak, for radio or TV appearances, or to conduct a workshop or training, send a request below.
