Tawanda Counts received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Paralegal Studies from California State University San Bernardino in 2002. Tawanda worked as a paralegal while applying to attend law school and quickly realized that she was no longer interested in the field of law. Therefore, Tawanda pursued a Master of Arts degree in Psychology, graduating from Chapman University in 2008.
Tawanda learned about Lutheran Social Services of Southern California when seeking a practicum placement, was selected as a trainee with the Our Children program in 2007, working with victims of sexual abuse and youth and adult sexual offenders. Tawanda became employed by Lutheran Social of Southern California in 2008, working as a clinician and in various management positions within the different SBC rural mental health programs.
Tawanda, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, is committed to advocating, empowering, and providing resources to foster youth and children, adolescents, and adults, with severe mental health symptoms and impairments.
Current role