Courses
- Career Counseling and Planning
- Counseling Techniques
- Human Growth and Development
- Mental Health and Psychopathology
- Methods of Research in Counseling
- Sexual Identity and Somatic Issues
- Social-Cultural Issues in Counseling
Education
- Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision–St. Mary’s University
- M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling–St. Mary’s University
- M.A., Political Science–University of Hawaii at Manoa
- B.A., Resolving Ethnic Conflicts–University of Hawaii at Manoa
Licenses and Certifications
- Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) Texas Lic. #73512
- Trained Mediator (University of Houston Law Center: Dispute Resolution Center)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC; National Board of Certified Counselor) Lic. #339027
- Certified Hypnotherapist
- Crisis Intervention and Prevention Certification
- Certified Team Facilitator: Action Skills for Supervisors and Effective Teams (A.S.S.E.T.s)
Biography
Tritia M. Finley, Ph.D., LPC‑S, NCC, is a nationally recognized counselor, clinical supervisor and thought leader whose work integrates trauma‑informed care, somatic psychology and culturally responsive practice. As founder and director of Elite Performance Counseling, a thriving private practice now in its seventh year, she helps clients transform anxiety, trauma and high‑pressure demands into purposeful growth.
Bilingual in Japanese and English and raised in both Hawai‘i and Japan, Finley brings a rare cross‑cultural lens to her work. Her career spans federal service, entrepreneurial leadership and academic instruction, with a consistent focus on fostering resilience, clarity and sustainable well‑being. Known for creating spaces that invite rigorous inquiry and transformative dialogue, she works across clinical, academic and organizational settings to inspire meaningful change.
Research Interest
Finley’s scholarship examines how cultural narratives, language and systems of power — shaped by sociohistorical and sociopolitical forces — inform identity development, belonging and lived experience. She approaches these forces as active, embodied influences that shape self‑perception, interpersonal dynamics and pathways to healing. Her work gives particular attention to mixed‑race and cross‑cultural populations, exploring how decolonizing frameworks, trauma‑informed care and somatic approaches can address the psychological impact of systemic inequities while fostering resilience, agency and cross‑cultural understanding.
Selected Publications
Finley, T. M. (2020). Racial/ethnic identity modeling: An exploration of the effects of bilingualism on racial/ethnic identity expression and self-esteem in multiple-race Black/African American adults (Order No. 28151807). [Doctoral dissertation, St. Mary’s University]. ProQuest LLC.
Finley, T. M. (2014). Conceptualizing the P.A.R.E. model: Counseling for mixed-orientation couples. Academia. St. Mary’s University. 4, 1-12
Weeks, J., and Finley, T. M. (2005). Mental health services: AFSC 4C0X1. Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron, Occupational Analysis Report. United States Air Force.
Finley, T. M. (1999). Being alone made me stronger. The Fresh Review. University of Hawaii. 9, 17-19.
Selected Presentations
Finley, T.M. (2025, April 12). The inner lens: Exploring our own perspectives through therapy. International Association for Wellness Counseling (IAWC). Spring 2025 Conference.
Finley, T.M. and Molina, C. (2024, November 19). Mental health for event professionals: True colors unleashed. Presented at 2024 Annual Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA) Conference. The Art of Events. San Antonio, TX.
Finley, T. M. (2024, November 16). Breaking down the brain. Keyuna Milam (Chair), WGF 2nd Annual Brain Health Fair [Community wellness fair panelist]. Wanna Go Fit Get Fit Wellness Fair. San Antonio, TX.
Finley, T.M. (2024, March 8). Thinking about what you’re thinking: English language influence among mixed race African Americans. National Cross Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change, Charlotte, NC.
Finley, T.M. (2023, March 2). A linguistic approach to decolonializing racial identity expression and self esteem in multiple race African Americans. Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES) Mid Winter Conference, Georgetown, TX.
Finley, T. M. (2023, February 8). Brainstorm S.M.A.R.T: Goal setting strategies for gifted and talented elementary school children. [Canva presentation]. Dr. Sara B. McAndrew Elementary School. Boerne, TX.
Finley, T. M. (2022, November 3). How Black and Japanese Hafus be, know, and move polyculturally: On and offline. Panelist. YouTube. [Video]. youtube.com/watch?v=56ODvzDv5kc
Finley, T. M. (2020, November 10). Veterans Day 2020 Guest Speaker. Vodcast. [Video]. YouTube. youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0H4GExt12KM&feature=youtu.be
Dr. Sara B. McAndrew Elementary School. Boerne, TX.