William Perks, LICSW, LISW-CP

About me

I graduated with an MSW (Master's of Social Work) in 1986. I am licensed as a clinical level social worker in Virginia - LCSW, West Virginia - LICSW, South Carolina - LISW-CP, and Maryland - LCSW (LCSW-C is pending). I have 36 years of professional experience in many programs and diverse roles to include group homes, residential treatment facilities, in-patient psychiatrict facilities, out-patient mental health and addiction treatment settings, and hospice organizations providing bereavement services for the community.

I have served many people from children to seniors via the formats of individual, couples, groups, and workshops, to included presentations at professional conferences.

I am comfortable guiding individuals toward the review of thoughts, behaviors, history, beliefs, misconceptions, and goals toward an increased awareness and choices more likely to be helpful, effective, productive, healthier, and rewarding. Life-long learning is an attitude that welcomes change and challenge.

I believe a thorough assessment (on-going) precedes effective treatment outcomes. I am flexible with therapy models (CBT, ACT, DBT) and interventions while building a firm foundation of improvement via learning, exploration, taking action, and review behavior before moving to the next stepping stone.

I assess for readiness and willingness through the Stages of Change Model. I use standardized tools related to mood, anxiety, stress, motivation, and goals. I supplement the course-work in getting to know more about, and increasing respect of, what you refer to as your "self".

I strongly value the tools of Mindfulness, Meditation, Guided Imagery, and written assignments. Listening to video presentations is required for the clients who appreciate my style and approach. I have a small number of client through BetterHelp as I have other commitments. Since the number of hours that I am available for appointments is very limited I expect engagement in the process and respect of my time and carrer. I find that the people who keep appointments predictably have the optimal experience of learning and personal development.

I approach beliefs through a general spirituality that one hopes to find in a religion, yet which often seems to be lacking in organizations and individuals. I have a humanistic bias the accepts differences as natural and adversities as inherent in the human condition. My interventions and information are research-based when possible or have been shown to be an integral part of adaptation and gratification.

Goals are formulated collaboratively and with modification. I plan services to be three sessions and then review as an on-going structure and measurement of the targeted, desired outcomes. If you've read this far you may find I am a probable match for what you are looking for in a therapist. Let's meet and find out.

Professional experience

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Codependency, Communication Problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and Separation, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Isolation/Loneliness, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Love, Sexuality, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Visually Impaired, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues

License information

WV LICSW DP00939555

SC LISW-CP 14143

VA LCSW 0904002503

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for William Perks. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.