EXPERT
Dr. Heather Williams, PSYD
Psychologist
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Heather Williams spent the last 25 years working in and around law enforcement. She worked in Probation, Victim Services and started a Crisis Response Team after recognizing that critical incidents create a ripple effect of impact. In 2014, after developing the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Peer Support Program, Heather was hired as their first Regional Peer Support Coordinator. Heather coordinated a team of almost 100 OCSD personnel, responded to critical incidents, provided training, and coordinated an emotional wellness campaign. Heather also co-founded the Orange County Association of Peer Supporters (OCAPS).</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">After spending 5 years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as the Regional Peer Support Coordinator, Heather elected to take her passion to another level and in 2019, established <strong><em>Premier First Responder Psychological Services</em></strong>. In 2023, she acquired Coherence Associates located in Carlsbad, CA. As a licensed psychologist, Heather is providing culturally competent services to individuals and couples working in public safety. Additionally, Heather assists departments develop and sustain peer support programs, provides 24/7 critical incident response, facilitates a 2-step model of critical incident debriefing, provides training on several topics and active shooter response and recovery response services. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Heather provides statewide training on several topics including, but not limited to: Wellness & Resiliency in Public Safety, POST Certified Peer Support Training, Advanced Peer Support, Peer Support Reboot and Critical Incident Response for Peer Support Course. Heather speaks at conferences and to academies about the stressors and traumas of public safety with the goal of increasing awareness, creating a culture of wellness and improving quality of life. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">In 2022, Heather was published in Body, Mind & Badge, a book written by Kathryn Hamel, PhD. Heather was asked to write a chapter on cultivating resiliency in law enforcement. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">In 2023, Premier and Coherence Associates in Carlsbad, CA joined forces to enhance services to public safety in North San Diego area. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Heather is a Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) certified instructor, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Psychological Services Section (IACP), and is the Vice President/Director of Peer Support & Mental Health for the National Law Enforcement Cancer Support Foundation. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">After spending 5 years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as the Regional Peer Support Coordinator, Heather elected to take her passion to another level and in 2019, established <strong><em>Premier First Responder Psychological Services</em></strong>. In 2023, she acquired Coherence Associates located in Carlsbad, CA. As a licensed psychologist, Heather is providing culturally competent services to individuals and couples working in public safety. Additionally, Heather assists departments develop and sustain peer support programs, provides 24/7 critical incident response, facilitates a 2-step model of critical incident debriefing, provides training on several topics and active shooter response and recovery response services. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Heather provides statewide training on several topics including, but not limited to: Wellness & Resiliency in Public Safety, POST Certified Peer Support Training, Advanced Peer Support, Peer Support Reboot and Critical Incident Response for Peer Support Course. Heather speaks at conferences and to academies about the stressors and traumas of public safety with the goal of increasing awareness, creating a culture of wellness and improving quality of life. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">In 2022, Heather was published in Body, Mind & Badge, a book written by Kathryn Hamel, PhD. Heather was asked to write a chapter on cultivating resiliency in law enforcement. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">In 2023, Premier and Coherence Associates in Carlsbad, CA joined forces to enhance services to public safety in North San Diego area. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Heather is a Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) certified instructor, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Psychological Services Section (IACP), and is the Vice President/Director of Peer Support & Mental Health for the National Law Enforcement Cancer Support Foundation. </span></p>
29 years
Experience
Dr. Heather Williams, PSYD
- Yorba Linda, CA
- Cal State Long Beach
- Accepting new patients
No results found
What drug is commonly used to treat alcohol addiction?
Someone with an alcohol addiction needs medically guided treatment first through detox (to safely come off the alcohol-this is where they will prescribe a medication to help with READ MORE
Someone with an alcohol addiction needs medically guided treatment first through detox (to safely come off the alcohol-this is where they will prescribe a medication to help with the withdrawal symptoms.) and then psychological treatment (either inpatient or intensive outpatient). Additionally, they will need a support group after treatment like AA or celebrate recovery many churches have to hold them accountable with a sponsor, etc.
Do I have social anxiety disorder?
Sounds like it, Yes. You can be treated with EMDR therapy for the best outcome.
Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work for phobias?
Yes it does, but I have utilized EMDR therapy for phobias with better outcomes. That would be my recommendation along with exposure therapy (EMDR has a component of that as well.) READ MORE
Yes it does, but I have utilized EMDR therapy for phobias with better outcomes. That would be my recommendation along with exposure therapy (EMDR has a component of that as well.)
Can you treat panic attacks?
Yes. Panic attacks are a subconscious manifestation of what we don't deal with. At some point the body says, "Nope! We are doing this (avoiding) anymore and the body and mind react. READ MORE
Yes. Panic attacks are a subconscious manifestation of what we don't deal with. At some point the body says, "Nope! We are doing this (avoiding) anymore and the body and mind react.
is anxiety causing me to become nauseous and throw up
Yes, what doesn't get resolved psychologically can show up physically as you described. Talking is healing. I recommend talking to a therapist about what is bothering you.
Are panic attacks serious?
Panic attacks require therapy to deal with what you haven't. After you have
Do you go to a psychiatrist for anxiety?
Hi, Yes, but only for medication not therapy/treatment. With Respect, Heather Williams, PsyD Psy License #31232 Premier First Responder Psychological Service CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: READ MORE
Hi, Yes, but only for medication not therapy/treatment. With Respect, Heather Williams, PsyD Psy License #31232 Premier First Responder Psychological Service CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.
