Tyreese McAllister, LPC, CSOTP

On the surface, Tyreese R. McAllister is a therapist, helping people through tough times, but what she really does is disrupt negative, maladaptive patterns of behaviors and thoughts that disrupt their lives and she teaches individuals to live radically resilient lifestyles despite life challenges.  She does this through her career, her ministry, her books, and her life.  She has over 25 years’ experience in the fields of emergency mental health helping individuals experiencing both crisis and traumatic events.  Tyreese is a doctoral candidate at the University Arizona pursuing a PsyD with a concentration in Criminology and Justice, with anticipated completion date of 2022.  

 

As the co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer, Mrs. McAllister is committed to helping people overcome tragedy and crisis and transition to “Radically Resilient Overcomers” who live their best life, fulfilling their life purpose.   

 

While serving her community and developing her career, Mrs. McAllister balanced her professional life with her beloved family. She has been the wife of Anthony McAllister for 29 years. Together they had two beautiful daughters, N’Daja Lyndze and Ayana Jazmyn.  In March of 2017, Ayana was killed by gun violence while she and her sister, N’Daja were home on spring break from college. Having lived a life of public service and ministry, the McAllister’s triumphed over their tragic loss and founded The Ayana J. McAllister Foundation. This non-profit’s mission is to deliberately engage communities of color disproportionately impacted by gun violence through advocacy and education strategies. It is their intention to significantly reduce incidents of homicide, suicide and acts of violence resulting from irresponsible use of firearms by high-risk individuals.

 

Combining her strong faith with her profession, Mrs. McAllister has turned her pain into a passion to help others. Immediately after the death of her daughter, she declared that she forgives the person who killed Ayana, explaining that being angry will not bring Ayana back and it will impede the important work that needs to be done in the community.  She believes that no mother should have to bury their child, and feels just as strongly that no mother should have to visit their child in prison.  She explained that both sides of the street have to be cleaned for everyone to enjoy the community. We need to save children from being murdered and we need to save children before they become murderers.  

 

Tyreese McAllister has enjoyed the work engaged at the community level and on the front lines of public health disparities the most.  Despite the tragic and untimely loss of her daughter, she continues to serve the community. Tyreese is a Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Trainer, and Therapist.