Tanisha Wilson, LMHC (she/her), a Boston native, discovered her calling to be a therapist at a young age. She pursued psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where her involvement in the Nuance program in the multicultural dorm opened her eyes to the beauty of diverse coexistence. This experience, along with a serendipitous meeting with a fellow woman-of-color psychology major, led to the founding of the pioneering Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The sorority endures today, promoting friendship, sisterhood, multicultural awareness, community service, and the advancement of women in higher education.
Tanisha is a multifaceted professional with over a decade of experience at Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. Her passion lies in supervision and in-home therapy, and she actively contributes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committees at both the Waltham site and “All Wayside.” As a Courageous Conversations Champion and Rainbow Champion, Tanisha’s personal mission is to foster empathy, validate diverse perspectives, and encourage the authentic expression of one’s whole self.
In 2017, Tanisha co-founded and later led the People of Color Association (POCA) at the Waltham site, expanding its influence throughout Wayside. Her efforts provided crucial support and validation for people of color working in the mental health field, especially during the challenges of the 2020 pandemic. Currently, Tanisha continues her support through training initiatives for current and new agency hires and at the Wayside Equity Training Center.
Residing in Malden, MA, with her young adult son on the Autism Spectrum, Tanisha finds solace in crocheting, savoring good food, cherishing good company, and dancing to music in the comfort of her home—a means to navigate the delicate balance between work and life’s demands.