Journey Through Loss: Addressing Your Mental Health, Advocating for Your Care, and Gaining Hope
Dr. Tiffanie L. Williams, LCSW, CFTP
Dr. Tiffanie L. Williams is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Williams received her Bachelors degree from Florida State University in Family, Child, & Consumer Sciences in 2004 and later received her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University in 2008. She later attended Nova Southeastern University and obtained her doctorate degree in Health Sciences in 2016. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida, a Certified Family Trauma Professional, and a Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. She has provided mental health services for 10 years. She is the proud owner of MasterPeaceCounseling Services, LLC. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The National Association of Social Workers. She is also a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.
On November 15th, 2016 Dr. Williams experienced the stillbirth of her son Liam Elijah Wesley Boatwright and on November 28th, 2016 took her pain and turned it into purpose by establishing Liam Lives Foundation, Inc.- A faith based, non-profit charitable organization, which seeks to provide counseling and supportive services to families who have suffered from pregnancy and infant loss due to early miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, neonatal, and post-neonatal death. Through Liam Lives, families have been able to receive support group services, financial services to assist with funeral arrangements and headstones, memory boxes to help with grief and memorialize their child, free Angel gowns for babies to be buried in, and education on the impact of pregnancy loss and infant death on mental health, family, and community. The organization has made a local, national, and international impact reaching families in Florida, Georgia,Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Utah, Indiana,Washington, Jamaica, Haiti, Italy, India, Kenya and South Africa. She hopes to use her personal experience with pregnancy loss and her knowledge in the field of mental health and health sciences in order to increase awareness surrounding pregnancy loss and infant death and its impact on families. Ultimately, she hopes that she will be used by God to draw all closer to him. She is a willing vessel ready to show the world God's favor over her life even in the midst of tragedy.
Because of her exemplary professional achievements and community contributions both locally and abroad, Dr. Williams has received recognition as the 2011 Child Guidance Center, Arlington Outpatient Team Member of the Year Award; a 2014 Florida Black Pages Top 20 under 40 Honoree; a 2017 Powerful In Pink Honoree; the 2017 Jacksonville Jaycees Community Humanitarian Award Honoree; The Women's Center of Jacksonville 2018 Unsung She-Ro Award; and a Florida State University 2018 Notable 'Nole honoree.