Meet Our Team - Erin Williams
Erin Williams
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
ADHD and Executive Function Coach
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
1 month!
Where did you grow up?
Bainbridge Island, Washington
What are your favorite books / TV shows / movies?
Books: Educated (Tara Westover), Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Gail Honeyman), All About Love (Bell Hooks), Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)
TV Shows: Friends, Gilmore Girls, Stranger Things, Schitt’s Creek
Movies: Gidget, Grease, Jurassic Park, Lady Bird
What’s your favorite sport and/or sports team?
My favorite sport to observe would have to be gymnastics and I love supporting the University of Washington Girl’s Gymnastics Team.
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
spending time with my friends and family, especially my 95-year-old grandmother!
When I want to de-stress, I...
journal my thoughts, take a walk outside, or practice roller skating.
My favorite time of year is...
fall…I really enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and crisp air.
My favorite thing to cook is...
my grandmother’s famous cinnamon roll recipe.
The best gift I ever received was…
any gift from my mom…she is very creative, so every gift is very thoughtful. I especially appreciated a collage she made me for my birthday which incorporated pieces of different memories we shared together.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
Switzerland
What led you to pursue a career helping others?
I observed family members who worked in careers within healthcare and education, so it felt natural to be drawn to a field in which I felt a sense of purpose and reward through helping others. Moving through my own adolescence, I found myself struggling with forming social connections and experiencing significant anxiety surrounding academic success. It was not until I matured and settled into various professional roles that I recognized the gaps in support or lack of tools available for me to advocate for myself. I would like to be a resource for individuals to utilize to gain confidence in what they have to offer the world!
What education, skills, and expertise do you bring to your role?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies from the University of Washington, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University. I have worked primarily with adolescents, gaining valuable experience in the Rehabilitation department at Seattle Children’s Hospital, as well as an educator and administrator in various early childhood settings. My skillset aligns well with HTC, as I am passionate about maintaining an inclusive environment for diverse learners by recognizing strengths and employing creative strategies to support each individual in feeling secure, confident, as well as an active participant in advocating for themselves.
Who/what inspires you?
Many people, moments, and experiences inspire me, but I have drawn most of my inspiration from my family. Specifically, my mother and grandmother. Both are selfless individuals who have devoted their lives to serving those in their community. These two ladies have taught me the meaning of compassion and how we can empathize and support those around us. I am grateful that my family has supported me through every dream and endeavor in my life thus far.
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
Building trust is a huge component of the approach I use when working with individuals. Trust is often built through developing an authentic relationship by genuinely empathizing and listening to one’s experiences. I often remind myself to “listen to understand, not to respond.” This is crucial when building trust because how am I supposed to respond, provide direction, or offer advice when I am not truly listening to the stories and emotions behind my client’s words?
What is one small thing people can do to improve their lives and increase their happiness?
One small, yet monumental change that everyone can do to improve their lives is to stop comparing themselves to others. Comparison robs us of our own achievements and unique gifts that we have to offer the world. One thing we can do to improve our happiness is to listen more to those around us. There is so much to learn from people who have different experiences and life stories from our own.
We provide a range of support for people with ADHD.