Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
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 Lamar University, a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Lamar University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Sam Houston State University. Dr. McFarlin joined the Lamar 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, Lamar 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, Lamar University (2002)
Courses
Graduate Courses at Lamar UniversityCNDV 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
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]. Lamar 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]. Lamar 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, Lamar University (2019 - present)
- Program reviewer, Association for Creativity in Counseling (2019)
- Faculty senate, Lamar 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)