Today we’d like to introduce you to Tralynza Conley.
Hi Tralynza, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17, I decided I was going to get my higher education by any means. I was departing for training just three months after graduation. It took nine years, two enlistment terms and one Afghanistan tour to achieve what I’d originally set out to do. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas A&M University-Central Texas in May of 2011. At this time I was separated from the Air Force and decided that I wanted more, more than an undergraduate degree. Job searching brought me to Houston in July 2011 and by August 2011 I was starting my first semester as a Social Work graduate student at Our Lady of the Lake University-San Antonio online program. I graduated in May 2013. I am now a Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) and just one exam away from being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth, easy road. I have overcome several adversities while enlisted. I lost my mom when I was only 20 years old, very important time frame in a young woman’s life. I went through a change of majors twice during undergrad, I knew that I wanted to help others but my options in helping majors were limited at my first duty station. From age 19-25, I worked and trained full-time as an armed forces member and took classes full-time online and/or in person all day on Saturdays. I had to deal with discrimination and racial inequities during my career, on top of everything else. By 25, I was a single mother, in the military, and going to school with a full-time schedule. I had a predetermined goal before joining and I was going to accomplish it, no matter what obstacles or beautiful surprises came my way. My child was even more reason to keep pushing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have over 11 years of experience as a social worker. I have worked for a foster care and adoption agency as a case manager supervisor. I have also been in education as a school social worker, providing mental health education, counseling and other services. I am known for my wealth of knowledge working with teens, young adults, BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color), anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, consulting services and speaking/education engagements. I am most proud of my independent work, this work means so much to me because I’m taking my vision and putting it into existence. I launched my own business, TLC Counseling and Consulting Services, which provides mental health counseling, coaching and consulting. I also have my own, self-published mental health journals and planner available for purchase on Amazon. One thing that sets me apart from other social workers would be my background and experience as an Afghanistan War veteran. I understand not only the servicemember experience but the woman’s, and more particularly women of color, experience in the military.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up we didn’t have a lot but I was always happy and surrounded by family. My experiences watching my mother raise us on her own is the main infuriating in my work today. I also was a true tomboy most of my childhood. I had four brothers and I wanted to do whatever they did. I was shy but somehow was always in a new activity, dance group, basketball team, school and church choir, and piano. My main interest was learning. I loved to learn, I loved giving myself challenges and working hard to conquer them, and I credit those challenges for keeping me on the honor roll and focused. My shyness also did not prevent me from sticking up for myself, I remember having a bully in 3rd grade. At some point, I got tired of it and stood up to her. She never bothered me again and I never allowed anyone to bully me again. That’s probably the moment I realized just how fierce I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tlccounselingandconsulting.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tlccounselingandconsulting
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tlccounselingandconsulting
- Other: https://misstralynzaempowers.blogspot.com/?m=1
