NBCC’s New Director of Certification and Credentialing Services Offers Keynote Address at International Conference

Taunya Marie Tinsley, PhD, DMin, NCC, ACS, LPC, LPCC, joined the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as the Director of Certification and Credentialing Services in September 2024. 

In her role, Dr. Tinsley oversees the development, planning, and implementation of certification and credentialing programs, consistent with the policies and procedures of NBCC and the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). These programs include recertification and renewal, the Graduate Student Application (GSA), and university engagement. 

“I am deeply committed to fostering collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, recognizing the invaluable role each of them plays in ensuring our programs remain relevant, and supporting mental health providers in their practice,” says Dr. Tinsley.

Prior to joining NBCC, Dr. Tinsley was an associate professor and program coordinator for the sports counseling certificate program at California University of Pennsylvania and held leadership roles at Waynesburg University, Missio Seminary, Villanova University, and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. She owns Transitions Counseling Service LLC and Life Skills Program, providing counseling services, coaching, and leadership development training, and serves as the Clinical Director of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church Counseling Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

“These experiences have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to NBCC’s mission and vision of advancing counseling and equitable access to mental health services through certification, assessment, advocacy, and capacity-building,” says Dr. Tinsley. 

In November 2024, Dr. Tinsley accepted the opportunity to serve as a keynote speaker at the fifth annual Kenya Guidance Counseling and Psychological Association (KGCPA) international conference, held at Pwani University in Kilifi, Kenya. 

“The opportunity arose thanks to my esteemed colleague, Dr. Maxine A. Bradshaw, Dean and Professor of psychology and counseling at Pillar College in Newark, New Jersey,” says Dr. Tinsley. “Following her successful keynote address at the 2023 KGCPA conference, Dr. Bradshaw kindly recommended me to the co-chairs, Dr. Margaret Mwenje and Dr. Bishop Davis Gaatua.” 

The theme for the 2024 KGCPA conference was Mental Wellness in the Context of Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Society, which resonated deeply with Dr. Tinsley. 

“My keynote, Ubuntu in Action: Building Bridges Between Mental Wellness and Contemporary Social Issues, explored Kenya’s current mental health landscape and offered recommendations for a culturally sensitive, healing-centered counseling program,” states Dr. Tinsley. 

The presentation focused on advocating for the development of a trauma-informed and healing-centered approach to counseling and psychology, emphasizing the integration of Ubuntu principles, and promoting community and interconnectedness, according to Dr. Tinsley. In utilizing this approach, Dr. Tinsley believes practitioners can enhance their effectiveness in engaging with diverse populations, contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society, and provide compassionate healing and trauma care. 

Dr. Tinsley enjoyed the vibrant exchange of ideas with fellow professionals at KGCPA and the chance to connect with equally passionate individuals about mental wellness. Uniting with participants from diverse backgrounds enriched her understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health in contemporary society. 

“The experience affirmed my commitment to promoting mental wellness and reinforced the importance of collaboration in affecting positive change in the field,” says Dr. Tinsley. 

Dr. Tinsley believes her experience at the KGCPA conference will serve her tremendously in her role at NBCC. 

“I direct and lead a phenomenal team responsible for these certification and credentialing programs,” says Dr. Tinsley. “The potential for positive change I experienced at KGCPA should inspire hope and motivation in all of us.”

Taunya Marie Tinsley, PhD, DMin, NCC, ACS, LPC, LPCC, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Augsburg College, where she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. She earned a master’s degree in higher education administration and college student development from the University of Iowa and a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Duquesne University. She was inducted as a post-doctoral member into the Yale Graduate School chapter of the National Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, holds a certificate in missional theology from Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary), and earned a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. 

With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Tinsley has a diverse professional background in clinical counseling, higher education, athletic administration, and culturally relevant ministries. She has mentored and coached professionals in the sports and corporate industries, drawing from her experiences as a former student athlete, coach, and athletic administrator. 

Dr. Tinsley is the former President of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), former President of the Pennsylvania College Counseling Association, and currently collaborates with the American Counseling Association in developing the Sports Counseling Interest Network and Antiracism Commission.