Dr. Sarah Williams-Tolliver, NCC,LPC, EAS-C is the owner of Covenant Way Clinical Counseling and host of her own television show. She has also been featured in A&E’s television show “Intervention†as a Clinical Consultant. As a mental health awareness advocate and a clinician, Dr. Sarah specializes in the care of women of color that have shared experiences. She is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health Professions as a Professional Counselor and board certified as a National Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors. Furthermore, Dr. Sarah has completed specialized training and certifications in grief, stress, and trauma.
However as a widow and mother, Dr. Sarah also knows grief, and she even battled with postpartum depression and trauma. From her experiences as a special needs parent, Dr. Sarah works with other parents that have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and her completed doctoral dissertation “Understanding the experiences of women, graduate student stress and lack of marital social support a mixed method inquiry” has been published.
Enjoy a sit down with the doctor below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Sarah, Sarah?
 Dr. Sarah: I am a cool blend of a scholar, researcher, and clinician mixed with southern hospitality.
Fancy: At what point did you decide to share your story to uplift and educate others?
 Dr. Sarah: I can’t recall an “aha moment†exactly, but for me it was a progression. I have always struggled with confidence. So even though, I had a testimony I held back out of fear. I had to take gradual baby steps to get me to a place that I share fearlessly.
Fancy: So what type of toll does caring for a special needs child play on your mental health?
 Dr. Sarah: Caring for a child with special needs requires a daily type of resilience that most people are not even capable of. I learn so much about myself and others by having a child with special needs.
Fancy: I know healing looks different to each individual, but what did healing look like for you?
 Dr. Sarah: When you wake up and look in the mirror and appreciate the scars and wounds for the healing and strength that they bring.
Fancy: Can you share some warning signs of postpartum depression?
 Dr. Sarah: Some of the warnings signs are:
- Your “baby blues†doesn’t get better after a few weeks
- You feel ongoing guilt or feelings of inadequacy.
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Your sleep patterns change.
- You have thoughts of suicide.
Fancy: Do you think postpartum depression is diagnosed accurately and treated properly within the Black and Brown communities?
 Dr. Sarah: Like most public health concerns, the prevalence of PPD is under-diagnosed. We have this “shero†mentality that often prevents us from getting help when needed.
Fancy: What inspired you to take part in the Crazy Like a Fox Tour?
 Dr. Sarah: I am excited to be a part of a platform that will address mental health from the perspective of other black/brown sisters. I think those in our community that suffer with mental illness need to see that there are others that look just like they do addressing the issue.
Fancy: What inspirational nugget would you care to share with our readers?
Dr. Sarah: “Use your head to protect your heart; get therapy, address it, and de-stress it!
Meet Dr. Sarah this weekend at the Crazy Like a Fox Tour in Charlotte. RSVP here.
