( ENSPIRE Health & Wellness ) Dr. Williams Uses Ancestral Practices To Help Mothers Access Healthcare And Mental Health Care
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Dr. Ana’Neicia Williams is a unique care practitioner who curates therapeutic spaces using ancestral practices. Her approach, rooted in creativity and clinical background, is a breath of fresh air in maternal and reproductive health and advocacy work. As the founder of Momology Maternal Wellness Club, LLC, she envisions and maps out consultations for organizations serving women and families, fostering relationships, and supporting wellness.
Dr. Williams has seen the disparities between parenting and access to healthcare within marginalized groups. She has witnessed mothers’ emotional and social care being forgotten during pregnancy and postpartum. Her goal is to assist moms in unlocking their identity within motherhood and treating every part of a person, resulting in the best treatment success. Her education stems from being a three-time graduate of Spalding University. Dr. Williams has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work and has returned as a part-time professor in Social Work and an adjunct professional within the school of social work.
Dr. Williams shares her journey in social work, psychology, and the No Mother Left Behind Specialty service. In addition, you will learn about the experiences when participating in the Mommy Monologue, MomVersity, MomsRUs, and MommyING Consulting. She delves into her special cultural ancestral practices in holistic healthcare and educational resources on motherhood.
Share with us your journey in social work and psychology and how you transformed this practice to help mothers everywhere at every milestone of motherhood.
My journey in social work and psychology is a full circle moment when I reflect on how I came to serve mothers. When I decided to return to college after a break, I was pregnant with my daughter. I began school in the new year of 2009 on a new campus and decided to shift my study area from Broadcast Journalism to Psychology. During that time, there was so much newness and discomfort as I experienced my pregnancy as a single mother. During my psychology study, I found community, grounding, and the support I needed inside and outside the classroom. I remember at some point, I befriended another Black single mom, and she introduced me to a program that changed the trajectory of my life. The program introduced me to a different social work perspective and inspired me to pursue social work for my graduate studies.
In my experience with a social worker who assisted me in navigating motherhood, single parenthood, and scholarship, I found my calling to serve mothers. The same program that served me accepted me as an intern during my graduate studies and later hired me as a family advocate. My personal experience, along with the knowledge I received in pursuit of higher education, is where the transformation in practice occurred to how I learned and created a framework to hold mothers everywhere at every milestone of motherhood. Through engagement, assessment, and holding space for other mothers, I learned about the many celebrations and complexities of motherhood that deserve support. It was not until years later that I finally accepted my calling to shift the narrative on what it means to be a mom through my business, Momology Maternal Wellness Club.
What is the No Mother Left Behind Specialty Service?
The “No Mother Left Behind” specialty service is about the inclusivity of mothers within society and systems. It is a call to the community and policy to integrate policies and procedures that support mothers on their journey to motherhood. For the individuals I serve, it is also a call to them to create space for themselves throughout their motherhood trip. We work through learning and unlearning the messages of what it means to be a mother and how it has impacted their belief system in how they show up for themselves and their children.
Describe the purpose and learning experience when attending Mommy Monoglogue, MomVersity and MomsRUs, and MommyING Consulting. What sets these services apart, and do they cater to each facet of motherhood?
Mommy Monologue, MomVersity, MomsRUS, and MommyING Consulting are purposeful and transformative experiences that I developed as ports of entry for mothers and communities to find their landing space no matter where they may be on their journey of motherhood or working with moms.
Mommy Monologues: This includes individual care through psychotherapy, where I support individuals in finding their identity outside of mothering and in creating the narrative that fits them for self and/or family.
MomVersity: this is an opportunity for expecting or planning mothers to explore becoming or working towards motherhood within a small group setting. It offers parenting techniques that center the child/parent dyadic relationship and infertility.
MomsRUs: this is a communal space for moms who are parenting to explore how to honor themselves and learn strategies for self-care and collective care.
MommyING Consulting caters to agencies and organizations that seek service development for the pregnant and parenting women they serve. Strategic planning and training are offered to assist with program development, policy and procedures, and continuing education.
What cultural ancestral practices have you used that have benefited the growth of mothers participating in the Momology Maternal Wellness Club?
The cultural ancestral practices that I have used that have benefited the growth of mothers who participated in the Momology Maternal Wellness Club are meditation and mindfulness so one can connect with one’s breath and body. Another ancestral practice is storytelling about one’s experience and family history to find a connection with the past and meaning and purpose in the present. Also, my collective care work and research studies integrate Sista Circles, which provide a supportive and facilitated environment to encourage women from the African diaspora to discuss issues that affect them and their community. What I love about the Sista Circles is it includes bonding over a meal and creates a sense of belonging for the Black mothers to lean into Afrocentric practices such as movement, dance, and drumming when individuals cannot find the words to express themselves.
What can those who sign up for a consultation expect to learn from you as they enter this conversation about motherhood?
Those who sign up for a consultation can expect to learn from me the importance of making time for themselves and finding ways to cope with mom guilt when they do so as we engage in conversation about motherhood. So many moms struggle to center themselves, and within our discussion, I affirm the partnership we will take together to allow them to do so.
What moves have you made toward reproductive care and resources? What steps as a community can we take to help drive social justice for reproductive rights and offer care?
My moves toward reproductive care and resources are drawing me more into policy. Whether at the local, state, or national level, I invest in advocating for policies that support reproductive freedom for all. I have also offered training to hospitals in my state to explore their practices in caring for individuals of reproductive age. As a social worker, I root my practice in social justice, so I frequently engage with the community to raise awareness and provide education about reproductive rights and justice. I encourage the community to learn about their state policies regarding reproductive rights first and then find ways to engage with elected officials on what care looks like. The best way to do this is to tell your story through writing, social media, or in person in the community.
Are there any new projects or services from now on to help mothers, families, and relationships?
Many projects and services are going forward to help mothers, families, and relationships that I cannot share yet. Still, I will say be on the lookout for collaborations and partnerships emerging. I recognize I cannot do this work alone and do not want to, so some beautiful synergy is emerging for the greater good. To stay informed on what is to come, I encourage you to follow me on Instagram at @thewombtherapist.
Dr. Ana’Neicia serves on the front lines of motherhood and reproductive care. She educates individuals and families on integrating healing and wellness to liberate themselves. Through her expertise in social work and as a care practitioner, she is changing the game for reproductive health and social justice for all individuals who need resources for parenting, mothers, children, and families. Follow her Instagram for more information on her practice. For more details and to set up a consultation, visit https://www.momologymwclub.com/.
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