An Awakening of
Mind, Body, and Spirit

Dr. Taiesha Wooten is a dedicated clinical social work leader whose career reflects a steadfast commitment to equity, access, and compassionate care. She currently serves as Director of an integrated outpatient substance abuse clinic. In this role, Dr. Wooten oversees multidisciplinary teams, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives initiatives that enhance service quality, patient experience, and staff well-being. Her leadership centers on anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care, ensuring that every patient, regardless of background, receives dignified, person-centered treatment.

 

For more than a decade, Dr. Wooten’s professional life has been devoted to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, working with individuals and families to reduce stigma, advocate for vulnerable populations, and remove barriers to care. Her practice philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental health, community, and social justice, grounded in the belief that recovery thrives when individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through her clinical work, program leadership, and supervision of emerging professionals, she continues to advance equitable, evidence-based approaches to treatment and recovery.

 

Dr. Wooten earned her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Simmons University, where her research explored systemic barriers to prenatal care and substance use treatment for pregnant individuals. Her Capstone project, titled Lift Every Mother, culminated in the creation of a five-day, five-module facilitator-led training manual designed to educate interprofessional teams on dismantling bias, building trauma-informed systems, and improving care coordination for pregnant individuals affected by substance use. This project reflects her deep passion for addressing racial and gender inequities in healthcare and her belief in collaborative, integrative models that prioritize trust and accountability among care teams.

 

She also holds a Master of Social Work from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Syracuse University, academic foundations that continue to inform her reflective, evidence-driven approach to leadership.

 

Dr. Wooten’s leadership extends beyond her clinical responsibilities. She has served on hospital and community committees dedicated to employee satisfaction, diversity, and equitable workplace practices, helping to shape policies that foster inclusion, transparency, and professional growth. Her work emphasizes the connection between organizational health and the quality of patient care, recognizing that staff who feel valued and supported are better equipped to deliver compassionate, effective services.

 

In addition to her hospital leadership, Dr. Wooten is the founder of TAI Wellness & Consulting, LLC – The Awakening Initiative, a holistic practice focused on advancing wellness, equity, and professional development through clinical supervision, consultation, and training. Through this platform, she aspires to bridge theory and practice, empowering practitioners and organizations to cultivate environments rooted in empathy, integrity, and justice.

 

Dr. Wooten’s professional philosophy is grounded in the belief that true healing requires courage, empathy, and equity. Whether in leadership, education, or advocacy, she continues to model transformative practice, uplifting others while working to build systems that affirm dignity, foster belonging, and ensure equitable access to care for all.