Meet Beth Williams, MSW '25, current PhD student
Beth Williams, MSW ’25, has found herself on an unusual journey in her pursuit of social work. She first pursued a degree in communications and professional writing, then gained 25 years of work experience from event planning and patient advocacy to therapeutic interior design before finally deciding to transition into social work.
"Social work is an absolute calling in my life. It's more than a whim, it's an understanding with the universe that I have stepped in line with where I am supposed to be," she said. "I recognize this may sound dramatic, but I have found my place. The other jobs I have had have circled around being a helping profession. They were 'helpful' but not the direct call to help others that my soul needed to answer."
Beth discovered this calling as part of her own healing journey. After reading The Making of Biblical Womanhood, by Dr. Beth Allison Barr, the James Vardaman Endowed Professor of History, and attending a Brené Brown retreat led by a social worker, she decided that was what she wanted to do.
Her drive for social work stems from the discrepancies she sees in clinical therapeutic spaces for recognizing developmental trauma associated with high-control religious upbringings. Beth wants clinicians to acknowledge the need for theoretical frameworks and specialized interventions to help individuals in this space.
"I want to provide research that is helpful for clearing some of these cobwebs and helping clinicians recognize covert control and its consequences," she said.
To achieve her goals, Beth had to find a balance between being a student and a mother. Her family has supported her throughout her journey, as have her professors at Baylor. Her knowledge and patience have been tested regularly during her time here. Her home office doubled as a recovery suite when both of her daughters had knee surgeries at different times. Beth overcame the challenges and thrived in the program. In the spring of 2025, Beth was named the Most Outstanding Student in the MSW program.
One of Beth's instructors said, "As a student, Beth went above and beyond to challenge herself in my course and has since continued to foster her research skills. I was incredibly impressed with her ability to exceed what an MSW student is required to do to foster competence around her areas of deepest passion."
Today, Beth is pursuing her PhD through the Garland School. Her research focuses on the intersection of creativity, neuroscience, and spirituality alongside religious trauma, Christian reconstruction, and Christian nationalism.
She has earned her certification in religious trauma through the Global Center for Religious Research, cementing her expertise in the psychological and spiritual impact of faith-based abuse. Beth is also part of the research collaboration team for the International Cultic Studies. In her home, Beth created an art studio that serves as a therapeutic and restorative environment for herself and others. She views the creative process as an essential part of healing and post-traumatic spiritual exploration; she integrates creativity into trauma recovery.
Utilizing those tools, Beth helps people reclaim meaning and emotional safety after they experience religious harm.
Keep up the great work Beth! We're excited to see where this road will take you.