By Danielle Williams
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Shannon Graham’s goal as a counselor is to assist people “to be the best versions of themselves that they can be” and, in the process, identify the source of their negative thoughts.
Graham is a licensed graduate professional counselor near the Towson Town Center who selected the career after putting aside a brief stint as an engineer.
“Mental health is not limited to age, gender, sexuality, or socio-economic class,” said the Baltimore County native who earned a master’s degree in counseling from George Mason University, and fulfilled the Maryland requirements that earned her the title she proudly wears.
“My clients come from all walks of life but they all share a common goal, which is to be the best versions of themselves that they can be.”
Graham said that being able to make people feel safe, welcomed, heard, and understood are essential to connecting with her clients on a level where they’re comfortable expressing their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
One of the ways Graham said she helps her clients is by finding the source of their negative thoughts. She explained that oftentimes negative beliefs do not originate from a client’s mind, but are passed down from family, the media, or societal norms. She added that people sometimes internalize negative thoughts and beliefs and allow them to distort their worldview.
“Therapy is not a one stop shop,” she said. “People also need social support systems such as family and community to help maintain mental wellness.”
Graham said that she personally finds solace in family and spirituality. Believing in a being larger than herself and knowing that she was created to serve a purpose bring her encouragement and motivation every day, she said. However, Graham affirmed that she does not incorporate spiritual practices in her work with clients, unless a client specifically requests that she do so.
The route to Towson was long and circuitous. With the encouragement of her father, Graham said she moved from Baltimore County to Atlanta, where she attended Georgia Tech because of its national reputation for engineering. She said the decision was one of her best because she met and married her husband, Bryan. But the couple soon moved to Virginia for an engineering job in Polymer Textile and Fiber.
Although Graham said she was not excited about the move, she now understands that the change taught her to keep an open mind.
Graham said she often questioned how she could be an aide for others. Even her pursuit of engineering was because she wanted to design bio-medical parts and tools that would lead patients into healthier lives.
Graham’s switch from engineering to counseling is welcomed by her friends who tout her skills.
“I was going through some dark times, so I called Shannon,” said Sheri Beyer, a friend. “I asked her to pray for me and to pray with me. I had never done that before, but it lifted my spirit. I am still in awe of her and her strong sense of self. It is so rare to find that in people and when you do, you recognize the impact of their genuineness.”
Graham’s friend of six years, Albany Woods, said that when she and Graham met at a local church in Virginia, she was going through a hard break up with her husband and felt lonely and friendless.
“When I met her, she was just what I needed,” Woods said. “When my husband and I decided to get married at the local courthouse, we asked a couple of friends to come out for us, but Shannon was the only one who showed at 7 a.m. After the ceremony, she took us out for breakfast. Shannon has an ever giving and loving spirit.”
Graham said she enjoys working with couples and helping them overcome their challenges. But, she especially likes working with millennials and young adults from ages 19 to 36 because clients in that age group tend to experience a lot of changes such as moving, relationships, transitioning from college to adulthood, or changing from one career to another.
“Shannon embodies grace, intellect, poise, and kindness,” Beyer said. “She is unwavering and a dedicated friend. To know her is to love her.”