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Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC

shannon mcfarlin

Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
Assistant Professor
(409) 880-7723 p.
Education 233
swilliams126@lamar.edu 

Dr. Shannon McFarlin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board-approved Supervisor, and Certified School Counselor in the state of Texas. Her professional experience includes 25 years as an educator and a clinician in both school and clinical settings.  

Dr. McFarlin is a Southeast Texas native and an LU alumnus.  Her educational background includes a B.S. in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, a M.Ed. in Instructional Supervision from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, a M.Ed. in School Counseling from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Sam Houston State University. Dr. McFarlin joined the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Counseling in Fall of 2018, and she currently functions as the Program Coordinator and Field Experience Coordinator for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. 

Dr. McFarlin is an advocate at heart. In her clinical practice, she focuses on assisting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families as they navigate terrains of coming out, transitioning, and relational distress. Dr. McFarlin is specifically interested in the intersection of spirituality and sexual/gender identity issues. In 2015, she completed a study that examined the experiences of conservative Christian parents of lesbian and gay children, which the Mixed Methods International Research Association awarded with the MAXQDA Dissertation Award.

Dr. McFarlin is an active member of several professional organizations. Since 2018, she has served the counseling profession as Treasurer for the Texas Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.

Awards and Honors

  • Partners in Access Nominee, Disabilities Resource Center, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University (2019)
  • Mixed Methods International Research Association’s MAXQDA Dissertation Award, Vienna (2018)
  • Excellence in Writing Award, Across-the-University Writing Program, Sam Houston State University (2013)
  • Emerging Scholars Honor Scholarship, Sam Houston State University (2011)
  • Perfect Academic Record, awarded by the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University (2002)

Courses

Graduate Courses at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University

CNDV 5353: Research and Program Evaluation

CNDV 5381: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

CNDV 5325: Advanced Ethics in Mental Health Counseling

CNDV 5323: Career Development

CNDV 5322: Professionalism, Ethics and Law

CNDV 5304: Foundations of Professional Counseling

CNDV 5320: Multicultural Counseling

CNDV 5334: Measurement and Assessment

CNDV 5380: Seminar Counseling and Development Academic Residency (international residency)

CNDV 5392: Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CNDV 5394: Internship in School Counseling

CNDV 5394: Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Experience

Assistant professor, Counselor Education
ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University
2018 - present

Distance instructor, Counselor Education
Fort Hays State University
2017-18

Adjunct instructor, Counselor Education
Sam Houston State University
2011-12 and 2017-18

Research and Publications


Peer-Reviewed Articles

Williams, S. L. (2021). Religious coping mechanisms among conservative Christian mothers of lesbigay children: A mixed methods study [Manuscript in preparation].

Williams, S. L., Bruhn, R., & Henriksen, R. (2013). Influences of training and personal experiences on counselor trainees’ GLBT ally development: A case study. Qualitative Report, 18(8), 1-20. Retrievable from:  http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR18/lynch7.pdf 

Williams, S. L., Bruhn, R. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & La Guardia, A. (2018). Poetic representation: Part I.: Voices of conservative Christian mothers of lesbigay children. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 10(1), 1-12. Doi:10.29034/ijmra.v10n1a34

Williams, S. L., Bruhn, R. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & La Guardia, A. (2018). Poetic representation: Part II.: Voices of conservative Christian mothers of lesbigay children. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 10(1), 476-488. Doi:10.29034/ijmra.v10n1a34 

McFarlin, S. L., & McGough, K. (2021). Differences in counselor trainees’ perceptions of instructor social presence and classroom community based on method of communication with instructor and peers: Traditional email v. asynchronous video [Manuscript nearing completion]. ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University: Beaumont, TX.

McFarlin, S. L., & McGough, K. (In press). Research-informed adaptable model for the prevention of suicide in schools (RAMPSS). Professional School Counseling. 

McFarlin, S. L., & Sartor, T. A. (2021). Use of I-poems in counselor education and supervision: A new purpose for an old tool [Manuscript submitted for publication]. ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University: Beaumont, TX.

Book Chapters

Williams, S. L. (2019). A student has been cutting. In J. A. Nelson & L. A. Wines (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Understanding. Abingdon, England: Routledge. Manuscript in preparation. 

Williams, S. L. (2019). A student has been struggling with gender identity. In J. A. Nelson & L. A. Wines (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Understanding. Abingdon, England: Routledge. Manuscript in preparation.

Williams, S. L., Wines, L. A., & Henry, R. (2019). A middle school student discloses he is gay and in a relationship with a 20-year-old man. In J. A. Nelson & L. A. Wines (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Understanding. Abingdon, England: Routledge. Manuscript in preparation.

Service

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program coordinator (2020 - present)
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field Experience coordinator, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University (2019 - present)
  • Program reviewer, Association for Creativity in Counseling (2019)
  • Faculty senate, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University (2018 - present)
  • Treasurer, Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (2018 - present)
  • Course reviewer, Kate Walker training (2018)
  • Expert witness, 1A District, Tyler County, Texas (2017)
  • Shelter volunteer, American Red Cross (2017)
  • Program reviewer, TACES Mid-Winter Conference (2016, 2017)
  • Volunteer counselor, National Coming Out Day Celebration, Northwood Unitarian Universalist Church (2013, 2014)
  • Program facilitator, Texas School Counselor Conference (2012)
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, The Family Journal (2011)
  • Secretary, Chi Sigma Iota, Beta Kappa Tau Chapter (2011)
  • Executive Committee member, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Tyler County, Texas (2004-07)