Meet Charisse Huey, MSSW, LCSW-S | Psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charisse Huey, MSSW, LCSW-S and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charisse, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is “anti-racism is not TRANSACTIONAL. If you want to be TRANSFORMATIONAL, you have to be RELATIONAL” Aiko Bethea.

I love this because it reminds us that we were meant to be relational human beings and if you really want to change your negative thinking about people, about a particular race, about a particular culture, you have to make connections. You have to allow yourself to become close enough to learn and to expand your understanding about them.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I am the Owner and Director of (TOLS) Transitions of Life Services, PLLC. TOLS is a Social Work agency that focuses on Counseling, Supervising Social Workers, and Conducting Home Studies for adoptions.

In life we are all lead down multiple paths, some positive and some not so positive. Unfortunately, identifying which path we are trailing down, does not always happen as quickly as we would like. So, we find ourselves on the same winding road that ends up going over the same speed bumps, potholes, and dead ends. These speed bumps and potholes serve only one purpose and that is to cause anxiety and/or depression in our lives. TOLS assist individuals and families to learn how to identify these “not so positive” roads. We all know to change an issue we first have to identify it as an issue. Once they are brought to light, TOLS will help you identify (there’s that word again) ways to work through them so you can cope more effectively and live a less anxious and depressed life. Some of the potholes may look like family issues, couple’s issues, school issues, work issues, gender identity issues, grief, anxiety, and depression. Life itself can be an issue and I am here to help you live a better you.

Social Workers have several options to expand their career. One way is to upgrade their license. To upgrade, the state board says we must be supervised by a Board Approved Supervisor. I am a Board Approved Supervisor in the State of Texas. I love guiding and supporting Social Workers through their own journey of growth. It’s important to me that Social Workers are not only taught Social Work skills, but also, they are empowered in knowing they have a voice and it matters. The best thing about supervision is I get to work with awesome Social Workers who loves the field just as much as I do.

In the State of Texas, when a person is planning to grow their family through adoption, a Licensed Social Worker must conduct a Home Study assessment. Helping families achieve their goals is another part of Social Work that I love. I would like to kill a myth about home studies, they are not conducted to find reasons to prevent you from adopting, I do not go into homes with a white glove looking for dust mites. I conduct the study to show the state of Texas why you would make an awesome parent. That’s it!

TOLS is a black-owned small business in the DFW area. I am currently doing therapy and supervision virtually. In addition to the services I mentioned, I am also in Toastmaster training to be an effective speaker. I also do Social Work license exam test prep. My prayer is for TOLS to continue to grow as an agency so I can reach more of the community through my services but also to be able to contribute to the workforce.

I am a Lubbock, TX native who moved to the DFW area in 2008 to pursue my Master of Science of Social Work degree at UTA. My plan was to only live here until I completed my degree, well I graduated in 2009 and in 2021 I am still here. I was an incredibly young mom who graduated from high school with 2 babies. I did not let that stop me, in fact, being a young mom gave me purpose. I knew I had to finish high school and I knew I had to graduate from college. I went to a junior college in Littlefield, TX called South Plains College, this is where I graduated with an Associates in Criminal Justice. I then completed my undergrad studies and received a Bachelor of Social Work at Texas Tech University. I worked for the county hospital in Lubbock before making my move to Arlington. My initial plan for my life was to get a degree in Criminal Justice because I wanted “to change the faulty Criminal Justice system” but I had a good college advisor who introduced me to the Social Work field. Just like most, Social Work to me was synonymous with “child snatching cps workers” or the workers who work you up for food stamps, so I was like “uhhm I don’t think so”. She informed me about the broadness of the field and how I could work in many different careers under a Social Work degree, so I dived into it and it was one of my better choices in my life. As a Social Worker, I have worked as a Hospital Social Worker, Crisis Clinician, Process Improvement Specialists, an Adjunct Professor. I have set on several committees and has been a Chair on a few of them. Now I am a small business owner of a growing agency. I love what I do, and I love why I do it, and that is to help people. It is my calling. I honestly believe that this path is God written and if he continues to pave it, I will be on it. My foundational scripture is “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’. Jeremiah 29:11.

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.
I love going to the Fort Worth Water Garden, especially at night. It is so beautiful and peaceful and it’s located in the downtown district. In Fort Worth, I will also take them to the beautiful Sundance Square Arena which’s surrounded by lots of good restaurants. I also love Deep Ellum, great places to shop, eat, chill and listen to music. I would also take them to the Reunion Tower. Joe Pool Lake, the JFK assassination site, tour Cowboys, I mean AT&T Stadium, Fort Worth Zoo, take a Lake Lewisville boat ride., Again, my favorite chef is Chef Kountry Ken aka my husband. He is currently a manager at Terelli’s in Dallas so we would definitely eat there. I would be remiss if I did not give a Shout Out to Madea’s Soul Food in Fort Worth, Damian Cajun’s Soul Food Cafe, Daiquiri Depot, TJ’s Catfish & Wings, and Babe’s Chicken all in Arlington, as well as, Thibidouex in Duncanville. I love comedy shows and concerts so we would have to catch a show at The Improv or The Verizon. One more thing, my sister, Rashidah, loves the Black Cowboys, so we would have to a black rodeo.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Heavenly Father who knew me before my mother knew me and who continues to bless me with his favor and guidance.

My family who I love so much and has always been supportive of me. Especially my mother, my 4 sisters, my 3 kids, my 6 grandkids and all of my nieces and nephews.

Kenisha Rotibi, MSSW, LCSW-S is a good friend but also a good resource who I am able to bounce ideas off of and also who believes in me.

My husband, Chef Kountry Ken, who always keeps me nourished but also gives me “the look” when I need to be redirected.

Website: www.charissehueysolutions.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/charisse-huey-lcsw-02141616

Other: My email is charissehuey@gmail.com