Shannon M. Hicks, LPC

I attribute my success to my father's example of entrepreneurship, hard work, persistent resilience along with my strong sense of purpose and my calling to help others through therapeutic work. I believe I was guided by God to pursue seminary training and to develop my ability to listen, empathize, and support others while also growing through my own personal development. My life experiences—including raising my children through divorce, the loss of my son which inspired my memoir He Sits Beside Me, and currently caring for my husband during late-stage cancer—have deepened my resilience and faith. Through it all, I remain committed to my calling and to developing a nonprofit vision focused on building community and empowering the next generation.

The best career advice I have ever received is that I can use my life and work to inspire and be a blessing to others, and that when God places a calling on my life, I must respond with obedience. That guidance helped me understand that my path does not have to be linear. I began as a dental assistant, and over time, through growth and faith, I transitioned into becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, an author, and someone committed to building nonprofit work that serves others and strengthens community.

My advice to young women entering this field is to work hard, keep growing, hone your specialties: identify 1-3 areas you're passionate about and focus your training there and get certified so you have credibility. Seek quality mentorship and supervision. Lastly, stay faithful to the career God is calling you into, even when the path feels challenging or uncertain. There will be obstacles and moments of difficulty, but if you remain grounded in purpose and commitment, the work becomes deeply meaningful and the reward is well worth the journey.

Right now, one of the biggest challenges in my field is balancing the demands of caregiving, personal calling, and sustaining the vision I believe God has given me for a nonprofit. I am actively seeking the right people, resources, and opportunities—what I see as “doors opening” and destiny helpers—to come alongside me in bringing this work to life, including support for fundraising and development. At the same time, I am navigating a deeply personal season as my husband prepares for an upcoming clinical trial which requires at least a month long stay in hospital, and I feel a strong need to be fully present with him during this time. This experience has also highlighted for me the need for greater awareness around caregiver fatigue, especially for women, and the importance of maintaining one’s identity and well-being beyond the caregiving role.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are faith, service, community, and intentional care for others. I feel called to create spaces where the next generation can grow, connect, and learn practical life skills—such as a community coffee shop and bistro where young people can receive meals, tutoring, mentorship, and opportunities to develop skills in areas like entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and personal development. I also value creating environments that foster creativity, joy, and spiritual growth through activities like Bible study, art nights, and community events, alongside resources such as a food pantry to encourage both receiving and giving back. Personally, I deeply value my relationship with God, time in prayer and reflection, and the support of strong, faith-filled friendships, which help me remain grounded as I navigate both the emotional demands of my work and the challenges in my personal life.