Shawn Spurgeon, PhD, LPC-MHSP

Associate Professor

Biography

I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work here as a Counselor Educator at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I arrived here in 2006; I have embraced the community and made some great connections here on campus. I was raised in the city but I have tried camping, hiking, and white water rafting since I have been here; I didn’t like them much but at least I tried! Even though the allergy problems have been somewhat of a challenge for my kids, we have embraced the Rocky Top experience! I have been a Counselor Educator for almost 20 years and have taught in 3 CACREP-accredited programs. I have worked for about 23 years in a variety of mental health settings, including private practice and family service agencies.  I believe that my life experiences definitely serve as a catalyst for my classroom engagement.

Research

• African American Males & Wellness throughout the Life Span
• Professional Counselor Identity Development

Research Grants and Sponsored Projects: 

Spurgeon, S. L., Minton, C. B., & Gibbons, M. M. (2020). Ensuring quality training on substance use disorders for counselors-in-training. Grant proposal funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Funded for $199, 703.

Spurgeon, S. L. (2010). African American males and academic retention in higher education: A qualitative analysis. Grant proposal funded by The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Professional Development award committee. Funded at $1,250.

Cochran, J. L., Kronick, R., Spurgeon, S. L., & Gibbons, M. M. (2010). Preventing juvenile delinquency through targeted mental health counseling services in an urban title I school. Grant proposal funded by the Commission on Children and Youth. Funded at $33,000.

Education

• PhD, Counseling and Counselor Education, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2002
• EdS, Marriage and Family Counseling, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1998
• MS, Community Counseling, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1998
• Download CV

Publications

Spurgeon, S. L. (2017). Evaluating the unintended consequences of assessment practices: Construct irrelevance and construct underrepresentation. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 50(4), 275-281. DOI: 10.1080.07481756.2017.1339563

Kaplan, D. M., Shifflett, E. T., Francis, P. C., Hermann, M. A., Baca, J. V., Goodnough, G. E., Hodges, S., Spurgeon, S. L., & Wade, M. E. (2016). New concepts in the 2014 ACA code of ethics. Journal of Counseling and Development.

Levy, J. J., & Spurgeon, S. L. (2016). Addressing client diversity throughout the diagnostic process. In B. Flamez & C. J. Sheperis (eds.), Diagnosing and treating children and adolescents (pp. 81-100). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.