Casondra Burkley, LCSW-S, M.Div, LSSGB, ADS is a woman of many titles—CEO, therapist, pastor, playwright, speaker—but what she embodies most is resilience. As the CEO and Founder of Conquering the Obstacles of Painful Experiences (C.O.P.E.), she leads a behavioral health organization that transforms trauma into triumph using therapy, life skills training, emotional intelligence, and faith-based empowerment.
Her life’s work is deeply personal. A survivor of childhood poverty, a single-parent household, and a brutal rape at age 16, Casondra’s own rape kit remained untested in a backlog for more than a decade. When she received a call nearly 15 years later, the weight of unresolved injustice came rushing back. Instead of allowing it to break her, she used that moment as a catalyst to build something extraordinary—a platform that ensures others do not have to suffer in silence. She has become the very example of what C.O.P.E. stands for: healing is not only possible, it’s powerful.
Casondra is backed by more than 18 years of experience and an impressive educational background, including degrees in Psychology, Speech Communications, and Social Work from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB), and an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS). Her trauma-informed programs serve youth in foster care, individuals in low-income communities, and organizations throughout Texas, offering Mental Health Rehabilitation, Targeted Case Management, and a signature Emotional Intelligence curriculum.
In her work as an ordained pastor, Casondra integrates clinical therapy with spiritual care, creating transformative experiences through retreats, workshops, and conferences. Her teachings help individuals and organizations alike overcome internal barriers and rebuild trust after adversity. Her commitment to holistic healing is also reflected in her therapeutic tool, C.O.P.E. Cards—conversation starters that lead to deep emotional breakthroughs.
Casondra is also a gifted storyteller. Through her site DontWannaMiss.com, she shares original stage productions such as A Change is Gonna Come—which earned her the honor of “Casondra Brown Day” in Waco—and Case Closed, an autobiographical play soon to become a feature film. Her ability to turn real-life pain into art not only brings healing to audiences, but furthers her mission of breaking the stigma surrounding trauma.
She is a published author, poet, and international speaker who remains deeply involved in her community. Casondra serves with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., sits on advisory boards, and volunteers with Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. Her business has received national accolades including the Comcast RISE Grant (2024) and being named a Status of Women Voice of Strength Honoree (2025).
Casondra believes deeply in the value of work-life balance, though she acknowledges it looks different in every season. She credits her ability to sustain that balance to setting boundaries, giving herself grace, and staying open to support. Her proudest business achievement is the leap of faith she took to leave her full-time job—an act that not only doubled her income within a year but allowed her to craft a legacy that is changing lives every day.
Her personal story resonates with so many because it is rooted in perseverance, faith, and unrelenting purpose. What began in trauma has evolved into a powerful testimony of what happens when pain is used as fuel. She empowers her clients through cognitive restructuring, reframing, and trauma-informed care, guiding them to break mental cycles that keep them bound.
Casondra is also a firm believer in the importance of openly discussing mental health—especially during times like National Minority Mental Health Month. “It’s an opportunity to educate our communities and to break down the stigma that often surrounds mental health,” she says. “These observances help minorities recognize the emotional wounds they may be carrying and encourage healing.”
Through every title she holds, Casondra Burkley is writing a new narrative—one where people don’t just survive their trauma, but overcome it, thrive beyond it, and pass the torch of healing to others.
Follow her journey and work on Instagram: @casondraelizabeth
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