DeShannon Williamson, LCSW, is a highly sought‑after therapist known for his confidential, trusted work with high‑profile individuals and elite athletes in the NFL (National Football League), MLB (Major League Baseball), and NBA (National Basketball Association). As the founder of Comfort Wellness Therapy and author of The MEG: The Mental Health Empowerment Group Workbook, he brings more than 30 years of experience to individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful, results‑driven change.
DeShannon specializes in couples counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and evidence‑based therapy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, stress, and relationship challenges. His clinical approach is trauma‑informed, culturally competent, and rooted in helping clients build emotional stability, healthier patterns, and deeper connection in their personal and relational lives.
He brings advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Trauma and Grief interventions, and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) assessment. He is also a certified Domestic Violence facilitator. This broad skill set allows him to work effectively with clients navigating communication breakdowns, infidelity, trust issues, addiction recovery, emotional reactivity, and high‑stress lifestyles that can strain relationships.
Raised in an inner‑city, urban community, DeShannon provides an authentic, culturally grounded perspective that deeply resonates with clients from marginalized or underserved backgrounds. He understands how systemic pressures and generational stress impact mental health, relationships, and personal functioning. His work also extends to supporting professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives dealing with burnout, workplace stress, and the emotional toll of leadership — insight informed by nearly 30 years as a business owner, philanthropist, and real estate investor.
DeShannon has helped thousands of individuals across private practice, group settings, and justice‑involved programs. His professional experience includes impactful roles with the Probation Department, Kaiser Permanente, Alameda County Drug Court, Juvenile Probation, Larkin Street Youth Services, and Bay Area Community Services (BACS). He has extensive expertise supporting individuals navigating the Criminal Justice System, Adult and Juvenile Probation, Drug Court, and substance use recovery, offering a compassionate, structured approach to breaking cycles and rebuilding lives.
In addition to his clinical work, DeShannon serves as the Mental Health Committee Chair for both the Oakland Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. He also sits on two nonprofit boards, mentoring hundreds of young men of color and developing leadership pathways for the next generation. His community contributions reflect his deep commitment to healing, empowerment, and the upliftment of Black youth.
He has appeared as a guest psychotherapist on the Street Soldiers radio show on 106 KMEL and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from California State University, East Bay.
Outside of work, DeShannon enjoys riding Harley‑Davidson motorcycles, boating, and spending time with family and friends — grounding activities that help him maintain balance while modeling healthy self‑care.
Clients describe him as warm, direct, relatable, and deeply invested in their success. Whether you seek support as a couple, need guidance navigating addiction, or want tools to improve mental and emotional well‑being, DeShannon offers a confidential, empowering space to heal, grow, and thrive.