We do not choose to be brought into this world. Some believe our lives are predetermined; others say we choose the paths we walk. Still others insist it is a combination of both. What I do know: We are continually evolving and hopefully using our past experiences to reach out to others. Hence the birth of Above His Shoulders. My goal is to bring others along on my journey. At a young age I was sexually abused by my cousin. I carried those horrific events with me for many years. A part of my childhood was stolen. The effects impacted my relationships and brought me on a journey of anger, rage, depression, and feelings of isolation. Dreams of flight were frequent. My travels and therapy were a life-long process leading up to a moment where I could confront my perpetrator and feel more confident in who I was. Redemption, I have learned is earned, it takes time, patience, and perseverance.
Healing not only comes from within, but learning that it is "ok" to ask for help. Dreams of flight continue, not flying away, but flying toward future goals. My intention is others will benefit and learn there is hope, there is a rainbow at the end of all thunderstorms.
- In peace and healing, Dan Williams.
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‘Above His Shoulders gives an encouraging look at how a sex abuse victim has overcome severe damage and offered a helpful message...I laud his courage and his coming out publicly with the violation and its impact on his life and those he loved. We need more courageous people like Dr. Williams. ’
—Edward Blackoff, Actor, Producer, Director
2007 HBO Documentary "Incest, A Family Tragedy"
2007 Winner Best Documentary Beverly Hills Film Festival
‘This book is a hero's journey that reminds us we too can liberate ourselves from old trauma and heal. ’
-Carl Hammerschlag, M.D. Author, Speaker
The Dancing Healers, The Theft of the Spirit, Healing Ceremonies
About Dan Williams
Dan Williams grew up in extreme Southern Illinois receiving a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His passion for medicine brought him to New York City receiving a bachelor of science and a Physician Assistant degree at Touro College. It was while practicing psychiatry in an inner city emergency room where he found his first real interest in assessment and therapeutic intervention of those experiencing depression and life trauma. He would later go on and receive his doctorate in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. He specialized in victims of abuse and assessing and treating sexual perpetrators. He has been called upon to do expert testimony in a number of medical cases as well as forensic cases involving abuse.
His interests remain harbored in nature, camping, hunting, fishing, drawing wildlife, and dabbling in photography.
Dan is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and currently practices medicine as a Physician Assistant in Northern Illinois while still seeing a few patients in individual therapy.
We do not choose to be brought into this world. Some believe our lives are predetermined; others say we choose the paths we walk. Still others insist it is a combination of both. What I do know: We are continually evolving and hopefully using our past experiences to reach out to others. Hence the birth of Above His Shoulders. My goal is to bring others along on my journey. At a young age I was sexually abused by my cousin. I carried those horrific events with me for many years. A part of my childhood was stolen. The effects impacted my relationships and brought me on a journey of anger, rage, depression, and feelings of isolation. Dreams of flight were frequent. My travels and therapy were a life-long process leading up to a moment where I could confront my perpetrator and feel more confident in who I was. Redemption, I have learned is earned, it takes time, patience, and perseverance.
Dan Williams grew up in extreme Southern Illinois receiving a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His passion for medicine brought him to New York City receiving a bachelor of science and a Physician Assistant degree at Touro College. It was while practicing psychiatry in an inner city emergency room where he found his first real interest in assessment and therapeutic intervention of those experiencing depression and life trauma. He would later go on and receive his doctorate in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. He specialized in victims of abuse and assessing and treating sexual perpetrators. He has been called upon to do expert testimony in a number of medical cases as well as forensic cases involving abuse.