DSW Candidate – Allison Shannon
$0.00
Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2026 Event!
Exploring Behavioral Health Needs of Adolescents Who Identify within the LGBTQIA+ Community Through Play Therapy
DSW Candidate – Allison Shannon
Monday, April 27, 2026
9:00 AM-10:15 AM Eastern Time Zone
Session not eligible for CE credit.
Description
Exploring Behavioral Health Needs of Adolescents Who Identify within the LGBTQIA+ Community Through Play Therapy
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Describe the unique behavioral health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ adolescents and the role of systemic, familial, and social factors in shaping mental health outcomes.
- Explain how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) when integrated with queer-affirming and trauma-informed frameworks, supports emotional regulation, identity development, and psychological resilience among LGBTQIA+ adolescents.
- Identify key components of affirming play therapy environments, including inclusive materials, therapeutic practices, and relational factors that promote psychological safety and reduce the internalization of stigma.
Presenter Bio
Allison Shannon, MSW, is a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) candidate at the University of Kentucky with a concentration in Clinical Social Work. She also holds a Master of Social Work with a Graduate Certificate in e-Social Work Practice from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University. Allison is a behavioral health clinician with extensive experience providing evidence-based mental health services across community-based settings. Her professional background includes comprehensive psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, individual, family, and group therapy, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has managed high-acuity caseloads and served as a clinical mentor and preceptor to developing professionals.
Her scholarly interests center on adolescent mental health, LGBTQIA+ affirmative practice, play therapy, and culturally responsive clinical interventions. Her doctoral capstone project, Exploring Behavioral Health Needs of Adolescents Who Identify within the LGBTQIA+ Community Through Play Therapy, examines developmentally attuned, relational approaches to improving behavioral health outcomes for marginalized youth.
Ms. Shannon has presented sociological research at the North Central Sociological Association Conference and is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Association for Play Therapy, and the Indiana Association for Play Therapy. Allison holds certification and advanced training in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and is actively pursuing play therapy certification.
Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing
Session not eligible for CE credit.
Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.
