Shirley A. Hess, Ph.D., NCC, LPC

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Shirley Hess received her Bachelor’s degree from West Chester University, Pennsylvania, in Health and Physical Education. After teaching and coaching in the high school setting for 13 years, she earned her Master’s degree in Student Development in Higher Education at The American University in Washington, DC, followed by her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland. During her master’s and doctoral programs, Dr. Hess worked in a variety of student affairs positions (e.g., assistant women’s basketball coach, career development, undergraduate advising, university counseling center). After receiving her doctorate, she served as the coordinator of the Community Mental Health Program at Trinity College, DC.

Shirley began her tenure with the Department of Counseling at Shippensburg University in 2001. Currently she is the director of the College Counseling/College Student Personnel track. Her writing, research, and presentations focus on dream work, the supervision and counseling processes, loss and bereavement, and qualitative research. She has published articles in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, Psychotherapy Research, and Dreaming Journal. She has also written a book chapter on Dreams of the Bereaved and co-authored two other chapters, one on qualitative research and the other on Ecological systems theory. Dr. Hess also serves on the Editorial Boards of Psychotherapy Research and the Journal of College Student Development, and is an Ad Hoc reviewer for the Journal of Counseling Psychology.

As an educator, counselor, and supervisor, Shirley values authenticity and being present in the moment. She sees herself as a facilitator and collaborator and believes that learning and healing occur in environments that encourage self-reflection, appropriate risk-taking, and are balanced with challenge and support; Learning and healing are holistic endeavors.

Personally, Shirley enjoys the beach, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, camping, listening to classical music, and getting together with family and friends.

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Vita

ACADEMIC DEGREES

Ph.D. Counseling Psychology
University of Maryland (May 1999)

M.Ed. Student Development in Higher Education
The American University (December 1987)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

Licensed Professional Counselor #PC003216 (LPC, Pennsylvania)
National Board of Certified Counselors #82372 (NCC)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Fall 2001– Present: Associate Professor, Department of Counseling
Shippensburg University, PA

1998-2001: Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling
Trinity College, DC

1997-1998: Instructor, Department of College Student Development
University of Delaware, DE

1988-1996: Instructor, Counseling Psychology Department
University of Maryland, MD

1996-1997: Counseling Center Testing Office
University of Maryland, MD

1992-1996: Academic Advisor
University of Maryland, MD

1988-1992: Career Counselor
University of Maryland, MD

1986-1988: Career Counselor
The American University, DC

1985-1986: Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
The American University, DC

1972-1985: High School Teacher and Coach

COURSES TAUGHT AT SHIPPENSBURG

CNS 515: Career Development
CNS 522: Techniques of Assessment
CNS 524: Principles of Classification of Psychopathology
CNS 578: Pre-Practicum
CNS 585: Practicum (College and Community/Mental Health)
CNS 585: Practicum (College Student Personnel)
CNS 596: Selected Topics: Working with Dreams in Counseling
CNS 596: Selected Topics: Working with Dreams, Sandtray, and Music in Counseling

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Counseling Association (ACA)
Pennslyvania Counseling Association (PCA)
Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES)
North Atlantic Regional Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES)
American Psychological Association (APA) - (Division 17)
Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR)
North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (NASPR)