Phyllis M. Williams, MA, LLPC

Elevate is a comprehensive 6-month accelerator program that empowers, refines, enhances, and scales Black businesses. It offers individualized business assessments, customized workplan development, and one-on-one technical assistance.

Phyllis M. Williams is the CEO and Mental Health Therapist at Peace & Harmony Counseling Services, LLC a group private practice that provides outpatient mental health and substance abuse counseling services to all of Michigan via Telehealth. Phyllis opened Peace & Harmony Counseling Services, LLC in 2019 as she desired to #breakthestigma surrounding mental illness in her community. She is a strong believer that one can have Jesus and a Therapist to overcome all the complexities that life can throw at you.

Phyllis received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and her Master of Art degree in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. Her first therapy experience was as a Clinical Supervisor over a Refugee and Domestic foster care program where she oversaw 5 different programs across Michigan that provided outpatient mental health and substance abuse services to children/young adults ages 3-21.

Phyllis then transitioned to Crisis Services where she screened individuals for psychiatric placement. Most recently Phyllis spent 4 years working in a local private practice and an outpatient substance abuse program as the Clinical Supervisor before opening her own group private practice.

Phyllis aims to provide a warm and welcoming environment in which clients identify strengths and challenges, learn skills to make real change, decrease symptoms, and improve their overall well-being. Phyllis specializes in working with individuals and families helping them cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, divorce, sexual abuse and self-worth issues.

Phyllis’ first focus is building a trusting therapeutic relationship so that her clients can receive the support and guidance they need to create change in a healthy way. Phyllis strives to create an environment that is safe, comfortable and free of judgement. She is intentional with her structure of the therapeutic environment and works to make sure each client feels heard and understood. Phyllis believes in a strength-based approach that is guided by the individual needs of each client. Phyllis uses various tools and therapeutic interventions that are unique to each client to bring out the best in them.

What inspired you to start a business?
Peace & Harmony Counseling Services, LLC was founded with a mission to destigmatize mental illness in black and brown communities. Our belief is that everyone deserves access to exceptional mental health care from a therapist who truly understands their life experiences, regardless of their financial situation. Additionally, we strive to set a new standard for education and ownership within our family and community. As the first in my family to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree, and to own a business, I am proud to pave the way for future generations.

What is your vision for the future of your business?
For Peace & Harmony Counseling Services, LLC to become Michigan’s leading BIPOC group private practice, specializes in anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, trauma, and holistic wellness.

What goals do you hope the Elevate program will help you achieve?

My hope is that the Elevate program will help me achieve the following:

• Additional exposure through marketing efforts
• Networking with various companies across the state to build partnerships
• Increase the amount of private pay clients our practice serves
• Hire an additional 3-6 therapist to conduct in person sessions
• Have my staff certified in Brainspotting or EMDR, Anger Management and Grief/Loss
• Start support groups for: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Substance Abuse and Grief/Loss
• Obtain business certifications for Small Business Owners
• Incorporate more holistic wellness services into the private practice
• Obtain business contracts to help provide greater accessibility to clients who are unable to receive services through Medicaid or can’t afford the deductible or co-pay through their employer based insurance plans.