Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Willis.
Hi Renee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A brief walk through my story… I always wanted to be a police officer, as far back as I can remember. I got my undergrad in Criminal Justice and found myself in Acworth, GA beginning my career as an Acworth Detention Officer. I then got hired with Smyrna as a Detention Officer and stayed there until I got on the road with Smyrna Police. I had finally made it. My greatest goal in life, I was living it, and for the first three years, I can say, I had the best time of my life. Around the four-year mark, I began to engage in very high-risk behaviors and was spiraling out of control with my drinking of alcohol. I got to the point where I hated people, and couldn’t stand myself. It was at that point I went to therapy, and it was a difficult journey. I decided seven years into my law enforcement career I wanted to become a therapist and enrolled in school to get my Master’s Degree.
During that time, I worked as a dispatcher for several different agencies until I graduated. It’s hard to believe I have been a therapist now for 13 years. I first began as a Registered Play Therapist specializing in children with trauma, and I loved it! I met my husband, who is a Cobb County Fire Fighter in 2010, and we just celebrated our 11th anniversary this past October. When I left Smyrna, I told myself I would be back someday to help them with mental health issues. This is where the story gets really good! My husband was on the Fire Peer Support Team at the time, and he was in a three-day training with Tania Glenn. On the last day of the training, he went up to her and told her, “You need to meet my wife.” I had a phone interview with her the next week. It was not long after that conversation I was asked to be Cobb County Department of Public Safety’s Lead Clinician. I have now been with them for three years, and I can truly say, I am walking in my calling. Nothing brings me more fulfillment than helping our first responders. I bring a unique perspective to the table, as I was a first responder and am now married to one.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If you are living life with purpose, there is no such thing as a smooth road, but it is always worth it. My most current struggles involve me and my husband. I have stood by my husband’s side through a demotion, going to a treatment program, and the biggest struggle is facing the demons or fractures that are still in my own soul that I never realized were there until we started going through all of the above mentioned. My husband and I find ourselves in a very dark place presently. Which really took me by surprise, because I thought once he got back from treatment, “everything was going to be better.” I believe it is in this darkness that the Lord shines His Glory to restore and heal all the brokenness in both of us, and the next chapter in our life will be UNBELIEVABLE!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the past three years, I have been Cobb County’s Department of Public Safety Lead Clinician. I am the liaison between the administration and the boots on the ground of police, fire, and 911. I work closely with our peer support teams and help facilitate debriefings after critical incidents. I also provide mental health training to our recruit classes. I visit the fire stations, make my rounds on the 911 floor, and do ride-along with the police. My focus is to be seen, so first responders feel it is normal to ask for help or get a “tune up” every now and then. This sets me apart from others. I have embedded myself into their culture. I am also very passionate about family support and education. I believe the more stable and thriving home life and marriages are, our first responders will be healthier as well, they go hand in hand. I also used to be a cop, so you can’t bull crap me and I will call you out on it.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a worship leader at my church and lead our flag ministry. I love to dance for the Lord. I also love hot tea, sipped out of fine china next to a roaring fire while wearing a plush bathrobe!!! Not many people know that about me.
Contact Info:
- Website: foreverchangedcounseling.com
Image Credits
All image credits go to my executive assistant Katie Nathan
