Taunya Tinsley

Making Cultural Literacy a Priority

Taunya Tinsley (MA ’95) wanted to fill a gap in the counseling field. She found an ideal spot in Pittsburgh—close to universities, high schools, and even professional sports teams—and started a private practice serving primarily multi-cultural clients and athletes. Tinsley feels strongly about reaching groups who are less likely to seek help from a counselor.

“It’s my hope to be able to educate more members of the African American community in particular that counseling and therapy are legitimate and viable options,” she said. “I just want to help.” Her interest in serving this population and helping clients build emotional and cultural literacy started when she was a master’s student in Higher Education and reflected on her own experiences as a student of color and former student athlete.

“Iowa is where I started to carve out my niche of multi-cultural and sports counseling,” she said. Her first experience working with her target population came during a graduate assistantship in which she counseled members of the Iowa women’s basketball team. Debora Liddell, associate professor in the Student Affairs program, said she’s proud of the way Tinsley has applied the things she learned in the program to her work with her clients.

“We have found that providing students some vehicle for a reflective look back on their own experiences brings more intentionality and authenticity to their work,” Liddell said. “Taunya was quick to make those connections and apply them with her work with student athletes.” Tinsley earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University with a cognate in cross-cultural athletic counseling in 2005. To make her practice, called The Transitions Counseling and Life Skills Program, more accessible, she offers appointments in the evenings and on weekends and even offers a sliding pay scale so that money is not a barrier to potential clients.

Tinsley is also working with the American Counseling Association (ACA) to develop the Sport Counseling Special Interest Network to give ACA members opportunities to learn about and discuss counseling athletes. In addition, Tinsley, a licensed professional counselor, is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education at California University of Pennsylvania. Tinsley said working in her private practice and with the ACA serves her well in her classroom.

“When I am teaching I give my students real-life experiences and what it’s like in the field,” she said. “I want to be kind of a role model to those who might be interested in the counseling profession.” Geraldine Jones, provost at California University, said Tinsley inspires her students with her passion for work and a unique focus. “She’s offering students a different perspective on what the field of counseling is about—taking it to another realm, to the sports arena,” Jones said.