Her Story
About Tysa
Tysa Slade is the founder of Tyson Slade Counseling, LLC, where she brings a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to her work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She holds a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Alliant International University–Los Angeles, along with a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from California State University, Fullerton. Tysa is a certified EMDR facilitator and holds additional certifications in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Her clinical focus centers on trauma and addiction recovery, alongside extensive experience addressing depression, anxiety, adolescent challenges, relationship and attachment concerns, and grief.
Tysa believes deeply in her clients' inherent strength and capacity for healing, and she approaches every session with the goal of helping them build resilience and reclaim a sense of empowerment. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method, she prioritizes getting to know each client authentically, meeting them exactly where they are in their journey and guiding them toward meaningful, lasting change. This philosophy has been shaped in large part by her own life experiences, which she credits as the foundation of her empathy and effectiveness as a clinician. Her career path has also been influenced by the guidance of a mentor who recognized her potential early on, an experience that taught her the importance of trusting her own instincts and reinforced her confidence in her clinical abilities.
Outside of her practice, Tysa leads an active, adventure-filled life that mirrors the same energy and passion she brings to her therapeutic work. An avid snow skier, she also spends her summers paddleboarding, boating, and lake surfing, and she enjoys staying active through pickleball. A devoted fan of live music and musical theater, she finds joy and inspiration in attending concerts and stage performances. Guided by a strong belief in continual growth, Tysa remains committed to lifelong learning, both personally and professionally, and encourages the same spirit of curiosity and forward progress in those she mentors and treats.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tysa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my personal life experiences. Having gone through so much in my own life has shaped me into an effective and empathetic therapist, allowing me to truly connect with and understand my clients.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to trust myself. The most valuable supervision and guidance I ever got was learning to trust my own intuition and to trust my abilities within my profession.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is not to take the shortcut. Schooling may seem faster and easier, and it can feel tempting to pursue licensure as quickly as possible, but I believe it's essential to gain real experience before obtaining your license. I've seen many people pursue social work as a faster path to becoming a private therapist, since a licensed social worker can also practice EMDR, trauma therapy, and more. However, that training often doesn't include individual therapy, family systems, couples work, or the clinical foundations needed to be truly effective in this field. Social work is incredibly valuable and necessary, but it serves a different purpose, one rooted more in life coaching and connecting people with resources, especially those who haven't had access to guidance or stability. My advice to young women entering this field is to pursue a degree and training path that genuinely prepares you for the specific work you want to do. Go to school for what you actually want to become.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge is knowing when to expand, when it's the right time to hire other therapists and grow into a group practice. Recognizing that turning point, when to take the step to bring on employees and expand, is something I continue to navigate.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Forward progress is one of my highest values. Learning and continually moving forward matter deeply to me. I believe there's always something new to understand, and I try to stay curious in both my work and my life.
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