I am Tanja Jones a graduate from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I have nearly 28 years of service as a Social Worker in the Child Protective and Family Preservation field. I have been in good standing as a Licensed Social Worker since 1992. At present, I serve in Community Care as a Family Achievement Coach. My utopian vision for optimal mental health in the black community is so simple it is almost embarrassing to say. Access. Access to quality care from people that look like us. Having worked in the social service field for twenty-eight years and have seen a lot of things good and bad. One thing I see most consistently is unaddressed mental health in the black and brown communities. I believe this is due to the stigma regarding counseling in general with the added layer of there being very few counselors who are black or brown. I personally as a professional working to maintain mental wellness have struggled with finding a licensed counselor that looks like me that I believe can identify with the foundational challenges people of color experience daily. In the black and brown communities’ pastors, teachers, grandparents, community leaders and elders are used for instruction to address behaviors which has some effectiveness due of the relationship formed; however, with the support of the family, community and professional counseling greater strides can be made in improving the mental wellness in an individual which will strengthen family ultimately lending to stronger communities. Society hears way too often and sees far too many distorted depictions of “the angry black man” and “black women with an attitude” quickly formulating an option saying what is wrong with them? The real question should be-What happen to them? When society starts to address what happened and not the what’s wrong authentic conversation can begin to really address what human beings of color need to feel like true justice is at hand. The is where equity and inclusion will take root and grow. I need to be and will be a change agent in my community. I have always tried to promote mental wellness in the black and brown communities. Having served in many roles and capacities such as a case manager, social worker and currently a family achievement coach, I know that I have been affective in each. It is time for my transition, my next life season that is in the role of a therapist. To ever time there is a season of transition. My season is now. Becoming a therapist will be an accomplished goal I have set for myself and serve as a conformation to others that I am deeply committed to mental wellness in the black and brown community. When I complete my master level studies in Clinical Community Mental Health Counseling and successfully open a private counseling life coaching practice that I am confident will be affective. I have a background in social work, case management and life coaching which will afford me an opportunity to have a holistic approach when serving individuals and families to move into and maintain life changing mental wellness. Helping others has always been my magnet to this profession and my aim is to be a change agent.

I am Tanja Jones a graduate from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I have nearly 28 years of service as a Social Worker in the Child Protective and Family Preservation field. I have been in good standing as a Licensed Social Worker since 1992. At present, I serve in Community Care as a Family Achievement Coach. Having worked in the social service field for twenty-eight years and have seen a lot of things good and bad. One thing I see most consistently is unaddressed mental health in the black and brown communities. I believe this is due to the stigma regarding counseling in general with the added layer of there being very few counselors who are black or brown. I personally as a professional working to maintain mental wellness have struggled with finding a licensed counselor that looks like me that I believe can identify with the foundational challenges people of color experience daily. In the black and brown communities’ pastors, teachers, grandparents, community leaders and elders are used for instruction to address behaviors which has some effectiveness due of the relationship formed; however, with the support of the family, community and professional counseling greater strides can be made in improving the mental wellness in an individual which will strengthen family ultimately lending to stronger communities. Society hears way too often and sees far too many distorted depictions of “the angry black man” and “black women with an attitude” quickly formulating an option saying what is wrong with them? The real question should be-What happen to them? When society starts to address what happened and not the what’s wrong authentic conversation can begin to really address what human beings of color need to feel like true justice is at hand. The is where equity and inclusion will take root and grow. I need to be and will be a change agent in my community. I have always tried to promote mental wellness in the black and brown communities. Having served in many roles and capacities such as a case manager, social worker and currently a family achievement coach, I know that I have been affective in each. It is time for my transition, my next life season that is in the role of a therapist. To ever time there is a season of transition. My season is now. Becoming a therapist will be an accomplished goal I have set for myself and serve as a conformation to others that I am deeply committed to mental wellness in the black and brown community. When I complete my master level studies in Clinical Community Mental Health Counseling and successfully open a private counseling life coaching practice that I am confident will be affective. I have a background in social work, case management and life coaching which will afford me an opportunity to have a holistic approach when serving individuals and families to move into and maintain life changing mental wellness. Helping others has always been my magnet to this profession and my aim is to be a change agent.

I am Tanja Jones a graduate from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I have nearly 28 years of service as a Social Worker in the Child Protective and Family Preservation field. I have been in good standing as a Licensed Social Worker since 1992. At present, I serve in Community Care as a Family Achievement Coach. From my point a view society can most effectively empower women by having equitable opportunities in all fields. The field I want to highlight is the field of Clinical Counseling. Having worked in the social service field for twenty-eight years and have seen a lot of things good and bad. One thing I see most consistently is unaddressed mental health in the black and brown communities. I believe this is due to the stigma regarding counseling in general with the added layer of there being very few women counselors and even less who are black or brown. I personally as a professional working to maintain mental wellness have struggled with finding a licensed counselor that looks like me that I believe can identify with the foundational challenges people of color experience daily. In the black and brown communities’ pastors, teachers, grandparents, community leaders and elders are used for instruction to address behaviors which has some effectiveness due of the relationship formed; however, with the support of the family, community and professional counseling greater strides can be made in improving the mental wellness in an individual which will strengthen family ultimately lending to stronger communities. As a woman of color, I need to be and will be a change agent in my community. I have always tried to promote mental wellness in the black and brown communities. Having served in many roles and capacities such as a case manager, social worker and currently a family achievement coach, I know that I have been affective in each. It is time for my transition, my next life season that is in the role of a therapist. To ever time there is a season of transition. Not only will I become at licensed therapist opening a private practice. I work to sit at the table alongside other women where policies and produce are created, adopted, and implemented to assure that the women especially women of color are represented. When I complete my master level studies in Clinical Community Mental Health Counseling and successfully open a private counseling life coaching practice that I am confident will be affective. I have a background in social work, case management and life coaching which will afford me an opportunity to have a holistic approach when serving individuals and families. completing my master level studies coupled with my experience will give me the credential others needs to see to be willing allow me and other women like me to sit at the table change. Preparation is what is needed to ensure our voices are at the table to make sure are demands are met.

I am Tanja Jones a graduate from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I have nearly 28 years of service as a Social Worker in the Child Protective and Family Preservation field. I have been in good standing as a Licensed Social Worker since 1992. At present, I serve in Community Care as a Family Achievement Coach. Having worked in the social service field for twenty-eight years and have seen a lot of things good and bad. One thing I see most consistently is unaddressed mental health in the black and brown communities. I believe this is due to the stigma regarding counseling in general with the added layer of there being very few counselors who are black or brown. I personally as a professional working to maintain mental wellness have struggled with finding a licensed counselor that looks like me that I believe can identify with the foundational challenges people of color experience daily. In the black and brown communities’ pastors, teachers, grandparents, community leaders and elders are used for instruction to address behaviors which has some effectiveness due of the relationship formed; however, with the support of the family, community and professional counseling greater strides can be made in improving the mental wellness in an individual which will strengthen family ultimately lending to stronger communities. I need to be and will be a change agent in my community. I have always tried to promote mental wellness in the black and brown communities. Having served in many roles and capacities such as a case manager, social worker and currently a family achievement coach, I know that I have been affective in each. It is time for my transition, my next life season that is in the role of a therapist. To ever time there is a season of transition. My season is now. Becoming a therapist will be an accomplished goal I have set for myself and serve as a conformation to others that I am deeply committed to mental wellness in the black and brown community. When I complete my master level studies in Clinical Community Mental Health Counseling and successfully open a private counseling life coaching practice that I am confident will be affective. I have a background in social work, case management and life coaching which will afford me an opportunity to have a holistic approach when serving individuals and families to move into and maintain life changing mental wellness. Helping others has always been my magnet to this profession and my aim is to be a change agent.