We had the good fortune of connecting with LaTasha Oliver LMSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaTasha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting Tactical Social Worker PLLC – “Damn, this a problem. I need this figure this out.” There was a lady that received firearms training from us regularly. She would keep her firearm in the car, in the trunk, in the case it in came in. There was an incident on her way home from work. A guy walked up to her car and started pulling on her door handle while she was at a red light. All she could think about was “I can’t get to my gun!” Thankfully her doors were locked and the light changed green after that first pull on her door handle. I needed to make the connection of why women were training, yet not carrying their firearm on their person to keep them safe. We all want to return home with less trauma than we left the house with.That unspoken need and my training with Body By “O” Tactical bred Tactical Social Worker PLLC.

What should our readers know about your business?

Okaaaay, listen real quick! First my entire professional existence is an “oxymoron” to most. Let’s talk about it – a mental health clinician (by way of social work) whose also a firearms instructor. Social workers are traditionally considered liberal in nature. Firearm ownership and anything pro 2a are considered conservative concepts. Most firearm instructors don’t consider the emotional and behavioral piece of training/protecting yourself. Mental health clinicians, specifically social workers are seen as saviors of society, so the idea of needing of firearm and the possibility of taking a life to save your own, or someone you love is outright blasphemous! With that, most people have trouble grasping the connection between firearm training and mental health. If one truly innerstands mental health, trauma, healing, and the prevention of additional traumas then the idea of keeping oneself safe SHOULD NOT be cringy.
This is where Tactical Social Worker PLLC does her thing! I teach individuals to keep themselves safe with and without a firearms by way of creating and reinforcing boundaries. Part of my training curriculum – on and off the range – is to assist my clients in maintaining and creating safe spaces They learn to protect their space, keep themselves safe no matter what the situation dictates – physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, financially, and spiritually. BOUNDARIES!!! I always ask people, “how far are you willing to go to keep yourself safe; to protect your space and peace, physically and figuratively.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If the bestie was here, we’d do a lot of cooking at home, playing bartender, daiquiris, and probably seafood boils. I’m from Louisiana, soooo cookouts are still a big thing for us.
Okay, okay, back on track and following directions! We’d go to Eskimo Hut in Arlington and The Daiquiri Factory & Café in DeSoto for some bomb daiquiris. She’d love Ella B’s in Arlington – the live band, the vibe, and flavorful food. Shells and Tails to Geaux in Grow DeSoto Marketplace for some authentic Louisiana seafood. Checking out the shops inside Grow DeSoto Marketplace is a must. Cedar Ridge Preserve would have several visits as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout ME for creating an untraveled path to an already established profession; and not letting my insecurities hold me back! I also want to shoutout my partner (personally & professionally), firearms instructor, and HusBae who continuously pushes and supports me to get out my own way and live out my purpose. He owns Body By “O” Tactical where I receive my training.

Website: www.tacticalsocialworker.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tacticalsocialworker_pllc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latasha-oliver-lmsw-b69435145/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiqoorNigist

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TacticalSocialWorker

Other: https://meetmonarch.com/therapist/latasha-d-oliver-lmsw-arlington-tx

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