Cyndi Williams, LCSW

06/14/2025

When adversity turns to purpose, healing happens not only for the person facing adversity but for every life they touch afterward.

My daughter lost her father at 8 years old to undetected heart disease. She was shattered to lose the first man she ever loved, but she had made it her mission to promote heart health and CPR education. This week she is competing for Miss Missouri, and her little sister for the week, Show Me Star Elle, lost her dad recently. It has been so meaningful for Jocelyn to mentor this sweet girl and help her feel like a star!

Having a mentor and being a mentor build resilience. Please send prayers and positive energy to Jocelyn and all the young women competing today for Miss Missouri.

Thank you to The Mexico Ledger for capturing these moments from this week!

04/20/2025

Updated the office today!

02/10/2025

Every living thing requires proper care to thrive. I’m in my “plant mom” era. After a few tough weeks, I came home and saw this plant literally drooping the way my soul has been at times recently. I gave it a little water with plant food and the difference 12 hours later is incredible, as she is once again reaching for the sun today. Don’t lose hope. A little self care may be all that’s needed for a more perky and hopeful YOU 12 hours from now.

01/27/2025

is deeply concerned about Trump Administration executive orders that affect migrants, including plans for mass deportations. These orders will have a devastating impact, especially on children. We are working in coalitions to take action against them. Read NASW's Social Work Blog to get information need to know about these executive orders, and resources you can use to respond: https://tinyurl.com/5e6un985

12/18/2024

It’s been a while…what a busy fall and holiday season it’s been! Just stopping by to remind you to make time for your self care, or should I say “elf” care? The holidays are busy and full of blessing and stressing - slow down and know that it’s ok NOT to do all the things! Happy Holidays to those who celebrate!

Also, there is hard work happening at FLC to allow more clients to utilize their insurance benefits! More to come on this as the details get squared away in the next couple of months!

11/06/2024

https://voyagestl.com/interview/exploring-life-business-with-cynthia-williams-lcsw-of-stl-c-r-e-w-connect-recreate-and-empower-widows

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Williams, Lcsw Hi Cynthia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?I was married to my best friend, Matthew “Joe” Williams for 16 years. He was a servant hearted husband and father, hard worker, and my strength whe...

10/31/2024

MARK YOU CALENDARS!

Save the date 12/37/24 11 am to 3 pm
Winghaven Library

STL C.R.E.W- Supporting Local Widows and Miss St Charles County Jocelyn Williams collaborative blood drive through the Red Cross. We will post a sign up link soon!

06/21/2024

So often, individuals say something along the lines of “Trauma seems like such a buzz word, the thing that happened to me wasn’t as bad as what soldiers experience.”

Trauma and Trigger may seem like the latest “buzz words” but there is a clear definition, and it stretches far beyond those in the military, first responders, etc.

TRAUMA: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Trauma can happen as a result of personally experiencing the event, witnessing the events as they happen, learning about a traumatic event that happened to a loved one, or experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to adverse details of traumatic events (first responders, trauma medicine, etc).

TRIGGER: A person, place, event, or circumstance that reminds you of a past trauma and initiates a survival response (fight, flight, freeze, faun) that seems exaggerated/extreme for the circumstance.

CHRONIC TRAUMA: Trauma that occurs ongoing for an extended period of time, rather than a single event.

This means that witnessing a terrible car accident and then noticing you are tense, overly anxious or more quick to anger while driving may actually be a trigger response caused by the brain’s attempt to protect you from further harm.

If you had a parent who consistently screamed, threatened, slammed doors, threw things, or used physical punishment against you, a sibling or the other parent, it may have seemed normal to you. However, this is chronic or complicated trauma. When you have your own child you might have difficulties with your parenting role stemming from the chronic trauma experienced in your own childhood.

The same therapy that helps a soldier process trauma and learn how to respond differently can help you process your trauma and teach you how to respond differently. One may take a few sessions while the other takes years to heal, but they both require professional help.

Don’t minimize or shame yourself for needing help because you are comparing your trauma to someone else’s. You would never shame yourself for going to the ER for stitches for an injury that will heal in a few weeks just because someone may come in with more serious needs or even fighting for their lives. You would trust the medical professionals to triage the needs and prioritize accordingly. The same is true in mental health care. We are here to help with the issues that take a few sessions to fix and the ones that take years.

05/21/2024

Do your relationships match your energy?

I love big, I care big, I sacrifice big, I laugh big, I can be a lot. That’s not for everyone..and that’s ok. But, for a long time I had people in my inner circle that didn’t bring the same energy as me to the relationship. As big as my energy is, it became depleted by the same people who took more than they gave on a regular basis.

If this is relatable, consider doing some reflection on the relationships that drain you without ever filling back up your cup in return. It may be time to move them to the next outer ring of relational energy to bring some balance back into your life.

This is a difficult decision for the empaths, caregivers, helpers, etc but it’s vital that the energy you have to give is wanted, needed and helpful, as well as returned. If someone tells you that you require too much emotional energy for them, believe them-stop trying to be enough/worthy for them and move on. They’re definitely not part of your private circle.

Image Copyright: desdemona72

05/01/2024

I often have clients who care for parents, adult children and grandchildren at a time in their life that others are traveling, taking time for hobbies and slowing down the pace a little. With Mother’s Day this month and Father’s Day next month, I want to focus on those caring for aging parents with memory loss. Visits can be a struggle as someone with dementia becomes less vocal or forgets those they love. I hope that this video reminds you that meaningful connections are still possible, and they are SO beautiful when those connections happen.

Basic tips for dementia care:

They aren’t doing this on purpose and cannot “try harder” to remember.

They often crave human contact, so hold their hand, give hugs, sit close.

They tend to pick up on our emotions, so be mindful of facial and body language and try to use an upbeat or calming tone with lots of smiles and eye contact.

Texture, smells, music, tactile activities, looking through photos and other alternative activities can offer new ways to connect.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are caregiving groups and individual counseling available to help you navigate the stresses. It’s okay to take a break and losing patience doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person. Give yourself (and them) lots of grace.

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