EXPERTISE
Counseling
Therapy
Couples
Family
Individuals
STAFF PROFILE
Dr. Shannon B. Dermer has a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy and a bachelors and masters in psychology. She has been in higher education and a counselor educator for over 20 years. She specializes in working with couples and training clinicians to be comfortable discussing sexual issues with clients.
Dr. Dermer has served as a faculty member, program coordinator, Chair, and Dean. Currently she is a Professor and Dean of the College of Education at Governors State University. She stays active in the field as a CACREP site visitor, advising doctoral students, publishing, presenting, creating training videos, and writing grants. She has also edited two sets of encyclopedias--one on marital/couple/family counseling and one on multicultural counseling, social justice, and advocacy.
FUNDED GRANTS
Atkins, K. M., Dermer, S. B., Karl, N., Bachenberg, M. E. (December, 2017-December, 2018). The WE Project: Training school counselors to advocate for LGBTQ students. Robert J. Nejedlo Social Emphasis Grant: Schultz Foundation for Advancing Counseling. $10,935 for one year.
Mejta, C., Dermer, S. B., Burley, N., & Wix (Atkins), K. M. (September 30, 2017-September 30, 2021). FY 17 Behavioral Workforce Education and Training Grant for Paraprofessionals and Professionals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. $1,918,310 over four years. Co-PI: Cheryl Mejta and Shannon B. Dermer
Dermer, S. B. & Dunham, S. M. (July 1, 2016—June 30, 2020). Disadvantaged Students Grant. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration. $2,024, 966 over four years. PI: Shannon B. Dermer
Dermer, S. B., Wix (Atkins), K., Michel, R., Lorelle, S., Dunham, S. M. (September 30, 2016-September 29, 2017). FY 16 Behavioral Workforce Education and Training Grant for Paraprofessionals and Professionals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. $267,600 for one year. PI: Shannon B. Dermer
Morrison, C. & Dermer, S. B. (2010). Parent University. Congressionally Directed Grant, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement. $200,000. PI: Carol Morrison.
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Mercer, M. E., & Dermer, S. B. (Accepted with Revisions). Comfort with sexual behaviors scale. Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness.
Dermer, S. B., Cipra, A., & Mercer, M. E. (Accepted with Revisions). Exploring the definition and implications of sex positivity for counseling. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness.
Dermer, S. B., Dunham, S. M., & Mercer, M. E. (2019). Integrating Glasser with Life, Learning, and Leadership: An Interview with Dr. Patricia Robey. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, 39(1), 48-52.
Randick, N. M., Dermer, S. B., & Michel, R. E. (2018). Exploring the job duties that impact school counselor wellness: The role of RAMP, supervision, and support. Professional School Counseling, 22(1), 1-11. doi: 10.1177/2156759X18820331
Dermer, S. B. & Bachenberg, M. E. (2015). The importance of training marital, couple, and family therapists in sexual health. The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
Cosentino, A., Dermer, S., & Maucieri, L. (2014). Myths and attitudes about fathers scale: Developing a scale to determine myths about fatherhood. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation 5, 102-115. doi:10.1177/2150137814551824
Henderson, A., Robey, P. A., Dunham, S. M., & Dermer, S. B. (2013). Change, choice, and home: An integration of the work of Glasser and Gottman. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, XXXII (2), 36-47.
Randick, N. M. & Dermer, S. B. (2013). The relationship of school art therapy and the American school counselor national model. Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 30 (1), 30-35.
Dermer, S.B., Robey, P., & Dunham, S.M. (2012). A comparison of reality therapy and choice theory with solution focused. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, XXXI(2), 14-21.
Dermer, S.B. Smith, S.D., & Barto, K.K. (2010). Identifying and Correctly Labeling Sexual Prejudice, Discrimination, and Oppression. Journal of Counseling & Development.
Smith, S. D., Dermer, S.B., Ng, K.M., & Barto, K.K. (2007). From “homophobia” to homoemasculation”: A primer for counselors on sexual language discourse. NC Perspectives, 1 (Fall), 11-20.
Dermer, S.B., Smith, D.S., & Matson, J.L. (2006). Systems theory and narrative therapy: Enhancing multicultural sensitivity of career theory and counseling. Illinois Counseling Association, 154 (1).
Smith, S., Dermer, S.B., & Astromovich, R. (2005). Age of awareness and identification of sexual orientation: The “coming out” of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth. Psycological Reports, 96(3), 651-654.
Higgins, J. A. & Dermer, S.B. (2001). The use of film in marriage and family counselor education. Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision. 40(3), 182-192.
Dermer, S. B. & Hutchings, J. B. (2000). Utilizing movies in family therapy: Applications for individuals, couples, and families. American Journal of Family Therapy. 28(2), 163 180
Dermer, S. B., Hemesath, C. W., & Russell, C. S. (1998). A feminist critique of solution focused therapy. American Journal of Family Therapy. 26, 239-250.
Sandberg, J., Johnson, L., Dermer, S., Gfeller-Strouts, L., Seibold, J., Stringer-Seibold, T., Hutchings, J., Andrews, R. & Miller, R. (1997). Demonstrated efficacy of models of marriage and family therapy: An update of Gurman, Kniskern, and Pinsof’s Chart. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 25, 121-137.
BOOKS & BOOK CHAPTERS
Dermer, S. B., & Bachenberg, M. E. (2019). The Paraphilic Disorder Couple. In K. Helm, J. Calrson, & L. Sperry (Eds.), The Disordered Couple (2nd Edition). New York, NY: Routledge.
Dermer, S. B. (2017). Bowen family systems theory. In J. Carlson, & S. B. Dermer. (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Dermer, S. B. (2017). Functional Family Therapy. In J. Carlson, & S. B. Dermer. (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Dermer, S. B. (2017). Neuro-Linguistic Programming. In J. Carlson, & S. B. Dermer. (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Page, K., Dermer, S. B., & Bachenberg, M. E. (2017). Sex Assessment/History. In Carlson, J. & Dermer, S. B. (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Carlson, J. & Dermer, S. B. (Eds.). (2017). The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Bachenberg, M. E. & Dermer, S.B. (2015). Talking about sex with adolescents. In C. F. Sori, & M. E. Bachenberg (Eds.) The therapist’s notebook for children and adolescents: Homework, handouts, and activities for use in psychotherapy. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis.
Dermer, S. B., Dunham, S. M., & Sori, C. F. (2015). Movies and emotion-coaching parenting. In C. F. Sori, & M. E. Bachenberg (Eds.) The therapist’s notebook for children and adolescents: Homework, handouts, and activities for use in psychotherapy. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis.
Dunham, S. M., Dermer, S. B., & Carlson, J. (Eds.). (2011). Poisonous Parenting: Toxic Relationships between Parents and their Adult Children. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dermer, S. B. & Dunham, S. M. (2011). Becoming a Compassionate Parent, Partner, and Friend. In S. M. Dunham, S. B. Dermer, & J. Carlson (Eds.) Poisonous Parenting: Toxic Relationships between Parents and their Adult Children. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dermer, S. B. & Dunham, S. M. (2011). Helping clients become compassionate parents,
partners, and friends. In S. M. Dunham, S. B. Dermer, & J. Carlson (Eds.)
Poisonous parenting: Toxic relationships between parents and their adult children.
New York, NY: Routledge.
Dermer, S. B. & Dunham, S. M. (2011). Introduction. In S. M. Dunham, S. B. Dermer, &
J. Carlson (Eds.) Poisonous parenting: Toxic relationships between parents and
their adult children. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dermer, S. B. (2011). In J. Kottler & J. Carlson (Eds.). DUPED: Lies and Deception in Psychotherapy. Routledge
Dunham, S.M., & Dermer, S.B. (2011). Poisonous Parenting. In S. M. Dunham, S. B. Dermer, & J. Carlson (Eds.) Poisonous Parenting: Toxic Relationships between Parents and their Adult Children. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dunham, S. M. & Dermer, S. B. (2011). Poisonous parenting styles. In S. M. Dunham, S. B. Dermer, & J. Carlson (Eds.) Poisonous Parenting: Toxic Relationships between Parents and their Adult Children. New York, NY: Routledge.
Foraker-Koons, K. & Dermer, S.B. (2008). Games couples lay II: One, two, three—Draw. In L. Hecker & C. Sori (Eds.) The Therapist’s Notebook III: Homework, Handouts & Activities for Use in Psychotherapy. Haworth Press.
Foraker-Koons, K. & Dermer, S.B. (2007). Games couples lay I: The Relationship Quiz Show. In L. Hecker & C. Sori (Eds.) The Therapist’s Notebook II: Homework, Handouts & Activities for Use in Psychotherapy. Haworth Press.
Black, L., Crethar, H.C., Dermer, S.B., & Luke, M. (2006). Gender identity: “My name is Samantha, Not Sammy.” In S.M. Hobson & L.A. Carlson (Eds.), Critical Incidents in Counseling Children. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Dermer, S., Olund, D., & Sori, C.F. (2006). Integrating Play in Family Therapy Theories . In C. F. Sori (Ed) Engaging Children in Family Therapy: Creative Approaches to Integrating Theory and Research in Clinical Practice, pp. 37-65. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
Sori, C.F., Dermer, S., & Weslowski, G. (2006). Involving children in family counseling and involving parents in children’s counseling: Theoretical and practical guidelines. In C. F. Sori (Ed) Engaging Children in Family Therapy: Creative Approaches to Integrating Theory and Research in Clinical Practice, pp. 37-65. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
Dermer, S.B. (2003 ) Book review of Treating secondary victims: Intervention with the nonoffending mother in the incest family. The Family Journal, 11(2). 224-225.
Dermer, S.B. (2002). Book review of child custody: practice standards, ethical issues & legal safeguards for mental health professionals. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
Dermer, S.B. (2002). Internet Therapeutics: Website Reviews. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments, and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice 2(4), 128-130.
Dermer, S. B. (1999). Compliance. In C. Smith (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Parenting.
Greenwood Press.
Dermer, S. B., & Hemesath, C. W. (1999). Feminism. In C. Smith (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Parenting. Greenwood Press.
Dermer, S. B., & Pruett, K. (1999). Limitations. In C. Smith (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Parenting. Greenwood Press.
Dermer, S. B. (1998). Clients do the craziest things, like prove therapists wrong. (pgs. 25-30) In F. Thomas, & T. S. Nelson (Eds.), Tales From Family Therapy: Life-Changing Clinical Experiences. New York: Haworth Press.
Dermer, S. B. (1998). On a scale from one to ten. . . In T. S. Nelson & T. S. Trepper (Eds.), 101 More Interventions in Family Therapy. New York: Haworth Press.
Dermer, S. B. (1998). Training in the ways of family therapy. In T. Nelson & T. Trepper (Eds.), 101 More Interventions in Family Therapy. New York: Haworth Press.