Dr. Shawn Patrick, NCC, LCPC, LMHC holds clinical expertise in narrative therapy, systems, and couples work. Dr. Patrick’s scholarship focuses on conflict, power, and privilege in complex social systems. With experience in film, photography, and writing, Dr. Patrick’s recent projects include examining the relationships between creativity, counselor development, and multicultural counseling competence. Dr. Patrick has also conducted co-researched community-based projects enhancing resilience and anti-oppression narratives.
Dr. P never knew what they wanted to be when growing up and still pursues the answer to that question. Career highlights include obtaining a Black Belt in martial arts, writing and directing a documentary film, authoring several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, developing new, innovative counseling approaches, and mentoring doctoral students through the dissertation. A staunch introvert, Dr. P prefers enjoying a cuppa with close friends and wants to hear the many stories everyone has to tell.
Having worked across a variety of academic and clinical settings, Dr. P has been a licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri, Texas, Illinois, and Indiana. Dr. P’s home is in the classroom, humbled by the opportunity to walk with each student on their educational journey. Dr. P also has plenty of experience with leadership roles in professional organizations and higher education and highly encourages anyone seeking a career in academia to actively nurture their sense of humor.
Chair
Low-Residential Modality
Core Faculty
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
- 2002: EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision, 2002, Northern Illinois University (CACREP). Specialty: Couples and Family counseling.
- Dissertation: Differentiation, Intimacy, and Marital Satisfaction
- 1997: MA in Counseling, University of South Dakota (CACREP). Specialty: Group Counseling
- 1995: BA Psychology/Philosophy, Saint Louis University
Selected book chapters:
- Patrick, S. J. (2018). Narrative approaches. In S. Degges-White and N. Davis (Eds.) Integrating the Expressive Arts into Counseling Practice: Theory-Based Interventions, 2nd Ed. (pp. 189-190). New York, NY: Springer.
- Patrick, S., & Connolly, C. M. (2011). The token activity. In M. Pope, J. Pangelinan, & A. Coker (Eds.), Experiential Activities for Teaching Multicultural Counseling Classes and Infusing Cultural Diversity into Core Classes. (pp. 169-173). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Selected peer-reviewed journal articles:
- Patrick, S. (2019). Mistakes as Pathways to Creativity: Improvisation in counseling. Journal of Creativity in Counseling. DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2019.1638863
- Aponte, D., & Patrick, S. (2017). Narrative approaches to counseling survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Wisdom in Education Journal, 7(2), Article 2. Retrieved from http://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/wie/vol7/iss2/2
- Beckenbach, J., Patrick, S., Sells, J., & Terrazas, L. (2014). The statement of us: A narrative-based practice for enhancing couples’ preferred identity. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 33(2), 50-61.
- Beckenbach, J., Patrick, S., Carlino, G., Carlino, S., Gross, K., Einig, K., & Pyle, E. (2014). The Couples Enhancement Workshop: A brief approach for group work with couples. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 39(2), 164-182.
- Patrick, S., & Connolly, C.M., (2013). The privilege project: A narrative approach for teaching social justice and multicultural awareness. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 32(1), 70-86.
- Beckenbach, J., & Patrick, S. (2021). Project I Am: Reclaiming Identity from the effects of traumatic oppression. 45-minute education session, International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference (held virtually).
- Elliott, A., & Patrick, S. (2021). The best-laid plans: When Risk is Compounded in the Classroom. 15-minute presentation, International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference (held virtually).
- Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J. (2020). Kung fu counseling: Experiential activities to promote counselors’ awareness and confidence. Education session, Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) annual conference, online.
- Beckenbach, J., & Patrick, S. (2020). Project I Am: Reclaiming identity from the effects of traumatic oppression. Education session, Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) annual conference, online.
- Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J. (2019). Good writing: A work in progress. 50-minute education session, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) national conference, Seattle, WA.
- Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J., & Santhouse, J. (2019). Counseling improv. Opening session for IAMFC Scotland Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Santhouse, J., & Patrick. S. (2019). The art of insider witnessing. 90-min education session, IAMFC Scotland Summer Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Beckenbach, J., & Patrick, S. (2019). Relational conflict and restoration model. 70-minute education session, IAMFC Oxford Summer Institute, Oxford, England.
- Patrick, S., Beckenbach, J., Elliot, A., & Lamb, B. (2019). Polarizing political discourse: Inviting empathy into difficult conversations. 90-minute education session, American Counseling Association (ACA) National conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Beckenbach, J., & Patrick, S. (2019). Narrative approaches for couples affected by childhood sexual abuse. 50-min education session, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) World Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J. (2019). Creativity: An Essential domain in the training of family counselors. 50-min education session, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) World Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- IAMFC Service Award
- O’Hana Award
- Mary Smith Arnold Anti-Oppression Award
- ACA, IAMFC, ACC, ACES, NCACES, IAC
- Currently: Internship, Practicum, Consultation, and Organizational Change
- Past: Multicultural Counseling, Family Counseling, Research Literature in Counseling, Sex Therapy, Group Counseling