Dr. Shannon White maintains a broad and global perspective in her role as core faculty in the Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) Program. Over the past five years, she has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology at Carlow University. Her teaching has centered around psychopathology, developmental psychology, child psychology, and trauma assessment and intervention. She was Acting Program Director in the MAP Program in the Spring of 2024 and served as faculty on study-abroad trips to Uganda and Ireland. In Uganda, she joined Dr. Burke and colleagues in anti-human trafficking efforts and to prevent gender-based violence. This international work has broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of global issues, which she brings back to her teaching and clinical practice, enriching the learning experience for her students and the quality of her clinical work.
Over the past several years, Dr. White has worked clinically with adults in community mental health, conducting trauma-informed assessments and treatment, which includes suicide risk assessment and intensive outpatient treatment in group and individual settings. She has also worked clinically with children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances who were in need of direct therapeutic services and particular behavioral management protocols. As lead clinician, she developed treatment interventions for the clinical team to implement.
Education
PsyD, Counseling Psychology, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA
Pre-Doctoral Internship, Northwood Health Systems, Wheeling, WV
MA, Psychology, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA
BA, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Research
Anti-human trafficking
Sex Trafficking – understanding complex trauma in survivors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Safety Planning for survivors in human trafficking
Publications
Burke, M., White, S. Krolikowski, T. & O’Rourke, S. (2023). Sex Trafficking: Understanding the Issue. Invited chapter in Best Practices in Sexual Offender Assessment and Management. New York: Springer Publishing.
Burke, M., White, S., Seamans, R. & Mehlburger, M. (2022). Human Trafficking: The Psychological Dynamics of Trafficking as a Predatory Crime. Invited chapter in Best Practices in Sexual Offender Assessment and Management. New York: Springer Publishing.
Burke, M., Krolikowski, T., White, S., & Alabase, N. (2022). Introduction to Human Trafficking: Definitions and Prevalence. In Burke, M. Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives, 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis. DOI: 10.4324/9781003124672-23
Burke, M., White, S., Krolikowski, T., & Alabase, N. (2022). Mental Health Care: Human Trafficking and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Burke, M. Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives, 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis. DOI: 10.4324/9781003124672-2
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association
Pennsylvania Psychological Association
Awards & Recognition
Academic All-American, 1992, University of North Texas
Carlow’s Points of Pride, 2021 – student and faculty highlighting for accomplishments of written work
“It is a privilege to influence the next generation of mental health providers. My goal is to foster a culture that embraces love and acceptance, reducing judgment and increasing understanding. Through teaching, I am committed to being a catalyst for change, empowering students to work diligently, empathetically, and intentionally.” – Shannon White