Lalaina tingley, MA, Psychotherapist
Supervised by Dr. Meghan Williams,
LMFTS, MCLC

Lalaina Tingley graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health; in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Texas Bible College; and in August 2023 from Abilene Christian University with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Lalaina currently practices as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, supervised by Dr. Meghan Williams, PhD, LMFTS, MCLC. Lalaina Tingley was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. She embodies diversity with a unique mix of Caucasian, Chinese, and Black heritage. Playfully dubbed by her friends as 'the panda bear counselor,' for her Black, White, and Asian roots, Lalaina brings a refreshing perspective to counseling.

Lalaina's journey into counseling was inspired by her desire to bridge cultural divides and support minorities navigating mental health challenges. Despite not fitting the conventional image of a minority counselor, Lalaina's mixed heritage has endowed her with a deep empathy and understanding of cultural dynamics. During her graduate studies, she worked with veterans and their families based around Fort Cavazos. Lalaina specialized in working with couples, and individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, and depression.  Her counseling approach emphasizes cultural competence, ensuring each client receives tailored, culturally sensitive care.

Along with her family, Lalaina is an appointed missionary to the country of Haiti. Due to the instability of Haiti, her family will be serving the Haitian people from the Dominican Republic. Additionally, they will be running a missionary training center for the Caribbean and Central American region. She and her family have served in missions in Spain and Andorra since 2019. Before that, Lalaina served in youth ministries as a ministry director, teacher, preacher, social media manager, and many other roles. She is also an adjunct professor at one of our UPCI Bible colleges. In celebrating God's diverse creation, Lalaina exemplifies how diversity enriches our ability to minister and provide care. With her unique background and skills, she not only makes a profound impact in her client's lives, but also advances a more inclusive approach to counseling within the faith community.