Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LaTasha Oliver. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

LaTasha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

Whew chile, let me give some context first. My entire life has been themed around rejection and redirection.

Education helped “professionalize” the practices that make me amazing at what I do. It provided me with tools to use. It was in grad school that I realized, all the theories, interventions, and therapeutic practices were reflective of “ideal” scenarios which often did not include Black bodies. I remember intense exchanges with non-Black colleagues who automatically rejected the idea of me planning to cater my services to Black communities. I didn’t see me, my family, or others that looked like me in case vignettes. The ones I did encounter took place through the lens of “THEM!”

Listen, the more I spoke aloud about my post grad school plans, the more I got push back. The louder I became energetically. I started creating intention with my services and who they’re for. I was and sometimes find myself in a “this what we not finna do” space. This created the desire to “be different” in all the ways that matter to my community as a mental health professional.

The messages I received throughout life along with these colorful ass experiences are the catalyst for my tools being effective with the impact with my clients.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

LaTasha is *insert societal lablels.* Tactical Social Worker PLLC has done *insert career achievements.” I could go on and fill in this space with professional accomplishments, however that’s not who I am. My achievements are a mere reflection of my energetic output. I am so much more than my profession, family roles, relationship status, or state licensure. Truth is, I’m layered. The way I show up in spaces is reflective of the intentions of “being here.” Flexibility and permission are me. Who am I and what do I need in this space. I am me – whatever I decide that is. Nobody else. I do carry this concept in the way I help clients embrace all parts of their existence.

My clients are those individuals looking to find, or shall I say discover, the hidden parts of themselves. In this human experience, I moonlight as a therapist and a firearms instructor. Both spaces teach individuals an elevated level of awareness that provides confidence and security in feeling safe.

I’m most proud of myself for having the courage and confidence to birth my idea of taking “self-care” to a new level. It’s hard to take care of yourself when you lack the awareness to know what you need. Knowing what you need means looking at you. This space, my services are for those wanting to go beyond surface level.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ll share the most recent story because it’s been the most powerful. I’ve been working with a coach that specializes in trauma, specifically attachment styles. Well, any who I’ve been able to see me – visually and energetically.

The lesson is “Healing goes beyond my singular experiences. My healing involves rectifying the behaviors within myself that caused trauma in someone else’s life. The reality is, I’m the villain in somebody’s story; and I’m okay with that. I had to unlearn that life is not a collection of misfortunes that “happened to me.” I had to unlearn that I’m not some defenseless victim that can’t keep her footing. Life has been an experience within itself. The reality is I’ve caused misfortunes. A part of my process means being emotionally responsible, leaving as few trauma trails behind. In this, I’ve learned to forgive the human part of my existence, freeing myself from the obligation to be responsible for their healing.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Ha, okay! I didn’t choose this life. This Healer Life chose me! Seriously though, different experiences maybe, same purpose yeah.

Medicine is medicine yeah…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tacticalsocialworker.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalsocialworker_pllc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=tactical%20social%20worker
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latasha-oliver-lcsw-b69435145/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tashabae_

Image Credits
@pixelsxbullets