Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
Associate Professor
(409) 880-7723
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 30 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 ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, a M.Ed. in School Counseling from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, 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.
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.From 2018-2021, she 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, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ (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, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ (2002)
- David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award Nominee, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ (2023) University Merit Award Nominee, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ (2023) David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award Nominee, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ (2022)
Courses
Graduate Courses at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ
- CNDV 5301: Human Growth & Development
- CNDV 5304: Foundations of Professional Counseling
- PEDG 5307: Introduction to Research
- CNDV 5312: Group Counseling Theories
- CNDV 5320: Multicultural Counseling
- CNDV 5322: Professionalism, Ethics and Law
- CNDV 5323: Career Development
- CNDV 5325: Advanced Ethics in Mental Health Counseling
- CNDV 5326: Addictions Counseling
- CNDV 5327: Psychopathology & Basic Psychopharmacology
- CNDV 5334: Measurement and Assessment
- CNDV 5350: Abnormal Human Development
- CNDV 5353: Research and Program Evaluation
- CNDV 5380A & 5380B: Residency 1 & 2
- CNDV 5381: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
- CNDV 5392: Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- CNDV 5394: Internship in School Counseling
- CNDV 5394A & 5394B: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship 1 & 2
Research and Publications
REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
McFarlin, S. L., & McGough, K. (2023). Religious coping among conservative Protestant mothers of homoromantic children [Research manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of Counseling, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
McFarlin, S. L., & McGough, K. (2021). Research-informed adaptable model for the prevention of suicide in schools (RAMPSS). Professional School Counseling, 23, 1-15.doi:10.1177/2156759X211023107
McFarlin, S. L., & McGough, K., Brown, T., Holmes, K, & Harris, S. (2023). Differences in perceptions of instructor social presence and classroom community between online graduate students based on method of communication with instructor and peers: Asynchronous video v. traditional email [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of Counseling, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
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]. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ: Beaumont, TX.
McFarlin, S. L., & Sartor, T. A. (2021). I-poetry as an instructional tool in counselor education. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. doi:10.1080/15401383.2021.1950592
McGough, K., Akkurt, M., Brown, T., McFarlin, S. L., & Holmes, K. (2023). School counseling internship and the role of grit: Perceptions among newly graduated school counselor trainees who successfully navigated internship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Happiness & Health,4(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v4i1.61
Williams, S. L., Bruhn, R. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & La Guardia, A. (2018a). Poetic representation: Part I.: Voices of conservative Christian mothers of lesbigay children [Inaugural Special Issue]. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 10(1), 476-488. doi:10.29034/ijmra.v10n1a34
Williams, S. L., Bruhn, R. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & La Guardia, A. (2018b). Poetic representation: Part II.: Voices of conservative Christian mothers of lesbigay children [Inaugural Special Issue]. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 10(1), 489-497. doi:10.29034/ijmra.v10n1a35
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. http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR18/lynch7.pdf
Book Chapters
McFarlin, S. L. (2020a). Cutting: A nonsuicidal self-injury. In L. Wines & J. Nelson (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experiences for Optimal Crisis Intervention. Routledge.
McFarlin, S. L. (2020b). Gender identity issues. In L. Wines & J. Nelson (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experiences for Optimal Crisis Intervention. Routledge.
McFarlin, S. L., Brown, T., & Whitaker, R. (2024). Managing the technology needs of the school counseling program. In J. Nelson & L. Wines (Eds.), School Counselors as Practitioners: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Performance (2nd ed.). Routledge.
McFarlin, S. L., Wines, L. A., & Henry, R. (2020). Gay and in a relationship with an adult male. In L. Wines & J. Nelson (Eds.), Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experiences for Optimal Crisis Intervention. Routledge.
Service
- College of Education Tenure & Promotion Committee Member (2024–Present)
- Distance Learning Committee Member (2025–Present)
- Course Lead for CNDV 5320, CNDV 5326, CNDV 5380B, CNDV 5392, CNDV 5394A & 5394B (2019–Present)
- Center for Teaching & Learning Enhancement Faculty Mentor (2022–Present)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certificate Program Coordinator (2023–2025)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field Experience Coordinator (2019–2021, 2022–2023, 2025)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator (2020– 2023)
- Provost's Kickoff Diversity & Inclusion Panelist (2022)
- Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling Program Coordinator (2020–2022)
- Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling Field Experience Coordinator (2020–2022)
- Faculty Search Committee Chair (2021–2023)
- Faculty Senate Member (2018–2019) SERVICE TO THE COUNSELING PROFESSION
- Educator Sexual Misconduct Training Series, Developer (2023– Present)
- Texas Counseling & Rehabilitation Services Inc. in Beaumont, TX, Volunteer Clinician (2022–Present)
- Professional Counselor Supervisor (2015–Present)
- Spindletop Center, Faculty Partner for Grant Applications (2022)
- WorThy Depression Screener, Developer (2022)
- Staying ALERT to Suicide: A Clinician’s Guide to Suicide Assessment and Healing from Client Suicide, Expert Book Reviewer (2022)
- Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Treasurer (2018 - 2021)
- Region V Education Service Center, Education Provider (2020)
- Kelly High School in Beaumont, TX, Invited Speaker
- Association for Creativity in Counseling, Program Reviewer (2019)
- Kate Walker Training, Course Reviewer (2018)
- TACES Mid-Winter Conference, Program reviewer (2016, 2017)
- Texas School Counselor Conference, Program facilitator (2012)
- The Family Journal, Ad Hoc Reviewer (2011)
- Chi Sigma Iota - Beta Kappa Tau Chapter, Secretary (2011)