Sha-Lai Williams

Dr. Sha-Lai Williams is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She teaches courses such as Social Work Practice with Individuals and Human Behavior in the Social Environment, leveraging her expertise in clinical social work and 12 years of direct practice experience in residential care, non-profit agencies, and private practice.

• Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis (2013)
• MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996)
• BSW, North Carolina University (1995)

Her research focuses on cultural competence in social work, racial/ethnic disparities in mental health access, and treatment outcomes for African American populations. Recent publications examine religious practices and addiction, stress-related substance use, intersectional stigma, and therapeutic treatment adoption.

Dr. Williams serves as an advisor for master’s students and the BHWET program. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has supervised provisionally licensed professionals in North Carolina. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic contributions to social work pedagogy.