Expertise

Shannon's commitment to supporting equity-deserving individuals and communities, especially those with identities and orientations that are not socially sanctioned, is evident in her community advocacy and navigation. This commitment is currently being deepened through her doctoral studies at McGill University, where she is bridging her 15 years of field leadership with advanced scholarly inquiry to challenge social policy and health inequities.

Currently, Shannon serves as the Clincial Director of Mental Health and Counselling at Britannia Woods Community services. She has been in this role for the past seven years, where she has founded, developed, and implemented some of the first culturally responsive place-based mental health programs and care models for Black and other equity-deserving individuals and communities in the City of Ottawa. She has since developed and led over seven city-wide programs with a team of over 13 practitioners — the largest racialized clinical team in the city. These programs are rooted in community accessibility, health equity, safety, and responsiveness, which facilitatees community development and healing.

Shannon's innovative spirit has led her to be a key figure in envisioning and developing the first emotional support line (BRISC - Black Racialized Individuals Support Channel), focusing on Black and racialized individuals' unique wellness needs in Ottawa. In addition, she was instrumental in securing, developing, and implementing the first provincially funded culturally adapted ‘SNAP Program’ in Ottawa, which is a clinical program for racialized families. Shannon was also fundamental in the development and implementation of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) counselling portal on the City's Counselling Connect portal - where she also serves as a Clinical Supervisor/Advisor. Her unwavering commitment is also evident in her volunteer work. She currently serves as a Director on the Canadian Mental Health Association (Ottawa branch) and a Director on the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition board. Shannon is committed to continue getting into ‘good trouble’, once it allows her to foster safe spaces and facilitate healing for Black and other equity deserving individuals and communities!

Shannon is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer. She actively serves as a consultant/expert where she facilitates discussions and trainings around topics related to serious mental illness (SMI), trauma, mental and emotional health, health equity, substance use disorder, equity, safety, social justice and systems transformation.

For inquries related to psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and training, please reach out.

Video Contribution Links
Written Contribution Links
Recognition & Accolades