We were lucky to catch up with Trishna Monplaisir, LMSW recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Trishna , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The Release Program has been an idea in my head for many years but I didn’t know what and how it would look like until 2021. There have been many moments in my life where I would dream with my friends and two words (community and women) would always come up. I would share my eagerness and desire to hold space for women but it took a few years to know in what capacity I would do that. I’ve led a mom’s ministry, support groups for mothers and provided counseling to women who struggled with anxiety. While all of these experiences were beautiful, challenging and eye opening, I felt I was called to do something else. It was in 2021 where I realized that I wanted women to experience healing through connecting with other women in a group setting. The Release Program was created so that women can find a safe space to work through their emotions while building community. There was a heavy emphasis on providing this space for women who are mental health professionals but I have shifted in creating this space for all black and brown women who want to live and be well through emotions check-ins, community building and connection.
Trishna , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a licensed social worker (LMSW), a mom and wife, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I graduated in 2009 with my masters degree in social work and worked with non profits, and organizations around program management, crisis intervention and counseling. During the pandemic, I transitioned in to part time work because work became slow and started to work on The Release Program. Through. I provide and lead well-being workshops/sessions along individual and group coaching sessions to companies, churches and institutions who are looking to live and be well. I help my clients work through their emotions by helping them to understand, what they are feeling, what the feeling is connected to and what they are needing in the moment. Not only is it important for us to understand our emotions so that we can take steps to be well, it can be healing to work through it in community. I sit in gratitude for the organizations and churches I’ve worked with thus far. They’ve given me the opportunity to help people to be seen by just being, existing, sharing and growing. I’m excited to continue to hold space on an individual and group level this year with hopes that more and more people are not doing life alone and are connected to themselves and others.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
While marketing is something I don’t enjoy doing, I’ve connected with most of my clients on social media through sharing my work on Instagram and LinkedIn. Because most of my work has been with women and young girls, all of my clients have been non-profit orgs or institutions with a focus on mental wellness for women.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Networking has been most effective for growing my clientele. I’m learning that my business isn’t going to grow just by sharing on social media. I need to attend dinners, conferences and meet ups where I can share my story and my business to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Thereleaseprogram.com
- Instagram: Thereleaseprogram
- Linkedin: Trishna Monplaisir, LMSW