Ms. Ginny's Clinical Counseling Corner

My name is Ginny Shannon, and I am the School Clinician (a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor [LCPC]) at Lincoln School full time.

This is my 5th year working for the Augusta School District, my 8^th year as a clinical counselor, and my 12th year in the behavioral and developmental health field. I received a Masters of Science in Creative Arts Therapy, with an Art Therapy specialization, from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York in 2010 after graduating from the University of Maine, Farmington with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and minor in Art in 2007. My graduate work included treating: children and adults who have experienced complex and prolonged trauma, adults diagnosed with a variety of mental health diagnoses in an inpatient/hospital setting, and adolescents with a variety of developmental and mental health needs in a high school setting.

Since practicing counseling in Maine, I have spent all 8 years in an elementary school setting working with Pre-K to 6^th grade students with a variety of needs, especially those with Neurodevelopmental diagnoses, mood and behavior difficulties, and who have experienced acute and chronic trauma and adversity. I have worked as a Behavioral Health Professional (BHP), a Targeted Case Manager (TCM), a Behavioral Health Homes (BHH) Care Coordinator, a Home and community Treatment (HCT) clinician, and an Outpatient Counselor since moving back to my amazing home state.

I have a firm belief that all people are trying their best with the skills and resources they have, and in a world full of adversity, this is often challenging and can feel defeating. At Lincoln, I help students and their families coordinate and access outside supports and services that help to satisfy their basic, developmental, and emotional needs including (but not limited to): mental health and/or developmental service providers; local community resources for food, shelter, etc. and other assistance programs needed for student growth. I also meet with students in small groups and 1:1 who would benefit from having another positive adult at school to help them build regulation and communication skills and feel supported to help them get through their school days successfully. I am also a resource for teachers and staff in Response to Intervention (RTI) planning, as part of our Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This year I will be teaching 6th graders more about Executive Skills (skills that help us succeed, learn, and get things done) to help them prepare for their Middle School transition.

I live in Augusta with my 2 sons (both Lincoln students) and pets. I love to read, draw, paint, swim, go for walks, spend time with my family, see live music, and am intermittently learning how to play the ukulele and guitar. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for assistance or for any questions you might have!