Skip navigation
Chat Apply Now Request Info Call Now
A closeup of two Regent University students smiling and looking off at the beautiful Virginia Beach campus.
Cyrus R. Williams III, Ph.D., LPC, LSATP, CSATProfessorSchool of Psychology & CounselingMore about Cyrus R. Williams III, Ph.D., LPC, LSATP, CSAT

Cyrus R. Williams III, Ph.D., LPC, LSATP, CSAT

Bio

Dr. Cyrus R. Williams III is a Professor in the School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent University, where he teaches in the Master’s in Counseling and Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral programs. He has served as Program Director of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program and has chaired and served on numerous doctoral dissertation committees. As a counselor educator, Dr. Williams is committed to preparing counselors who demonstrate clinical excellence, ethical integrity, cultural humility, and Christian compassion.

Dr. Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Virginia), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (Virginia), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida), and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). He is the founder of Impact Counseling & Coaching, LLC and Rapha Counseling Services, where he provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, executive coaching, consultation, and leadership development. His clinical practice specializes in trauma, addictions, marriage and couples counseling, multicultural counseling, men’s mental health, leadership development, and the integration of Christian faith with evidence-based counseling.

In addition to his teaching and clinical leadership, Dr. Williams is actively involved in international missions and behavioral health initiatives. He collaborates with churches, nonprofit organizations, and counseling professionals to develop sustainable, faith-integrated mental health and addiction recovery programs that serve vulnerable populations around the world. His international work reflects a commitment to equipping ministry leaders and behavioral health professionals with evidence-based, trauma-informed, and biblically grounded approaches to mental health care.

Dr. Williams is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author who has presented throughout the United States and internationally on topics including counselor education, clinical supervision, addictions, trauma, multicultural counseling, leadership, marriage, and Christian counseling. His work reflects Regent University’s mission of integrating academic excellence with Christian faith while preparing servant leaders who transform individuals, families, communities, and organizations.

Credentials

Education

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of Florida
  • Ed.S., Higher Education Leadership, University of Florida
  • M.S., Counseling, University of Hartford
  • B.S., Business Administration, Eastern Connecticut State University

Licenses and Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (Virginia)
  • Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (Virginia)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida)
  • Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1, 2 & 3)
  • John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach

Memberships and Affiliations

  • American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
  • Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES)
  • Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS)
  • American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
  • Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
  • Virginia Counseling Association (VCA)
  • Virginia Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (VACES)
  • Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
  • Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ)
  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  • National Career Development Association (NCDA)

Honors and Awards

  • Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Regent University
  • Faculty Award for Excellence, Regent University
  • William Hathaway Outstanding Faculty Award, Regent University
  • ACA Southern Region Leadership Award
  • ACA State Branch Advocacy Award
  • Virginia Counseling Association Cyrus Williams Tuition Scholarship established in recognition of professional leadership and service
  • Faculty Advisor, Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Chapter of the Year

Research Interests

  • Clinical Supervision
  • Trauma-Informed Clinical Supervision
  • Counselor Education and Development
  • Addiction Counseling and Recovery
  • Marriage and Couples Counseling
  • Black Men's Mental Health and Masculinity
  • Christian Counseling and Faith Integration
  • Trauma and Resilience
  • Multicultural Counseling
  • Professional Identity Development
  • Leadership Development
  • International Behavioral Health

Publications

Books

  • Williams, C. R., & Hourihan, T. (2023). Career, Lifestyle, and Spiritual Development: Work, Purpose, Calling, and God (2nd ed.). Cognella Academic Publishing.
  • Williams, C. R. (2023). Addictions, God and Mental Health Counseling. Cognella Academic Publishing.
  • Williams, C. R., & Mikolon, T. (2025). The Making of a Mental Health Professional: Inspirational and Motivational Stories of Challenges, Victories, and Wisdom. Cognella Academic Publishing.
  • Mikolon, T., & Williams, C. R. (2023). PhinsheD: Demystifying the Dissertation Process. Cognella Academic Publishing.
  • Williams, C. R. (2025). Grace-Filled Marriage: Creating a Resilient Marriage Rooted in Scripture, Mental Wellness, and Mutual Respect.
  • Williams, C. R. (2025). The Drift: Rekindling Faith, Love, and Connection in Your Marriage.

Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

  • Williams, C. R., Loper, R., & Belton, R. (2026). Reframing Clinical Supervision in Addiction Treatment: A Blended Developmental, Competency-Based, and Trauma-Informed Framework. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling.
  • Williams, C. R., Cook, D., Kaufmans, N., Olson, R., Ajex Palvannan, J., Brown, A., & Luck, J. (2026). Pornography Use and Religiosity: Addressing Unmanaged Guilt and Toxic Shame. Spirituality in Clinical Practice.
  • Brown, A., Williams, C. R., Ripley, J., & Dorais, S. (2026). Cultivating Compassion in Counselors: The Impact of Spiritual Transcendence. Counseling and Values.
  • Williams, C. R., Lincoln, K., & Loper, R. (2025). Impact of Test Conditions and Demographic Variables on Response Patterns in the SDI-R 4.0. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education.
  • Merino, C., Underwood, L.A, Crump, Y. & Williams C. (2017).  The Relationship between Attachment, Depression, and Anxiety in Juveniles with Sexual Behavior Problems. Journal of Mental Disorders and Treatment.
  • Johnson, T., Underwood, L., Dailey F., Williams, C. (2017).  Comparing Social Climate Perceptions of Staff and Juveniles with Sexual Behavior Problems. Mental Health & Human Resilience International Journal.
  • Hoard, P., Underwood, L.A., Dailey, F.L., Williams, C., & Etienne, R. (2017). Preliminary results of social climate’s impact on treatment progress of juveniles with sexual behavior problems. Accepted in Journal of Behavior.