Imelda Dionne Williams, LMSW, known to many both professionally and personally as just Dionne, is a dedicated therapist and school social worker, known for her compassionate approach to mental health care, particularly with adolescents and young adults. A native of a small town in Mississippi, Dionne grew up in a home deeply impacted by neurodiversity and different ways of navigating life with a deaf mother and a brother on the autism spectrum. This upbringing profoundly shaped her empathy and passion for serving diverse populations, inspiring her to pursue a career in social work.

Dionne earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with a minor in African American Studies from Mississippi State University, where she also became a Montgomery Leadership Fellow. She went on to complete her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Georgia, graduating with a stellar GPA of 3.98. Throughout her academic journey, she immersed herself in leadership roles, serving on inclusion committees and training future social workers.

Professionally, Dionne’s experience spans across both school settings and private practice. Before establishing Divine Healing & Nurturing Therapy, she served at a small private practice in Northern Metro Atlanta, specializing in treating anxiety, depression, and complex childhood PTSD. She also serves as a School Social Worker in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), where she supports students’ mental health and academic success through social emotional interventions, crisis intervention, and providing communal/familial support. Additionally, Dionne’s work as a Case Manager at SummitRidge Behavioral Health Hospital further honed her skills in crisis intervention, acute mental health needs, and trauma-informed care.

As an EMDR-trained clinician, Dionne integrates therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and somatic techniques into her practice, always through a critical race and womanist lens. She is also an advocate for Black teens, LGBTQIA+ youth, and those who face race-related trauma, sharing her insights through guest lectures, panels, and social media content creation.

In her free time, Dionne enjoys exploring new foods, reading books, crocheting, journaling, practicing yoga, and spending time with her friends and family. She also creates online content, sharing her journey as a therapist and offering mental health tips to a broader audience.