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Shannon O'Brien LeBlanc
Researcher | Writer | Mental Health Professional (in training)
ABOUT
My name is Shannon O'Brien LeBlanc
Compassionate and dynamic aspiring mental health worker with experience supporting diverse populations through multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approaches.
My early professional background spans across research, peer support, and health promotion, with a strong emphasis on inclusive methodologies and resilience-focused frameworks. I bring a unique perspective that combines field-related knowledge, lived experience, and a commitment to mental health equity.
Combining my passion for media (coming from a background in journalism and creative writing) and mental health advocacy—with a focus on intersectional marginalisation, my work aims to empower and inspire systemic change across academia and professional practice.
Summary of Experience
• Effective written communicator with 10+ years of academic, journalism, technical & creative writing experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills through peer support volunteering, co-facilitating mental health workshops, and presenting at academic seminars to promote methodological reform.
• Over 10 years of community involvement, including non-profit volunteering, training delivery, and inclusion-focused programme development in both research and recreational contexts.
• 8+ years of direct customer/client service work in various workplace settings demonstrating strong rapport building and problem-solving skills
TOP SKILLS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ADVOCACY
KNOWLEDGE MOBILISATION
PEER SUPPORT & LIVED EXPERIENCE
CULTURAL COMPETENCY & HUMILITY
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT & FACILITATION
COLLABORATIVE & INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP
FORMAL EDUCATION
Graduate Certificate, Addictions and Mental Health
Algonquin College (AC Online)
(Ottawa, ON, Canada)
Bachelor of Arts Honours Health Psychology; stream in Mental Health and Well-Being
Carleton University
(Ottawa, ON, Canada)
Eligible for AAC endorsement with The Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF)
Coursework themes:
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Mental Health and Addiction Foundations
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Introduction to Counselling
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Chemical Dependency and Substance Use & Abuse
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Community Services and Supports in Addictions and Mental Health
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Holistic Assessment and Interventions: Determinants of Health
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Counselling Gender and Diversity
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Ethical Practice and Professionalism in Mental Health and Addictions
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Group Counselling for Addictions and Mental Health Practitioners
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Motivational Interviewing and Change Theory Practice
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Working with Youth and Families
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Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioural Addiction
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An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice
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Community Capacity Building
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300-hour Field Placement
Accomplishments
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Independent Study manuscript in production for academic journal submission
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Presenter at Carleton University's Psychology Undergraduate Research Event
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Co-facilitator, From Surviving to Thriving workshop
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Presenter, Student Alliance for Mental Health Masterpieces of the Mind event
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CU Cultural showcase Exhibitor, Carleton University Art Gallery
Activities and Societies
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Psychology Society of Carleton University- Director of Events
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Charlatan- Student reporter
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Paul Menton Center for Students with Disabilities- Volunteer Notetaker
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Student Alliance for Mental Health member
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Carleton Student Academic Government (CASG)- Student Representative (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences-Psychology)
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SOAR Leadership Academy Conference delegate
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First in Family Connections Mentee
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Residence Services- Mental Health Champion
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Fair Trade Carleton University- Member
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Here For You Workshop Wellness Workshop
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Skills for Academic Success Learning and Writing Support Certificate
Coursework Themes
(*all courses taken at Carleton University unless otherwise specified)
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Arts and Science I: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (*Trent University)
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Clinical Psychology
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Cognitive/Neuropsychology
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Communication Disorders
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Community Mental Health
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Developmental Psychology
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Forensic Psychology
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Gender and Disability Studies
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Health Psychology
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Neuroscience: cellular/pharmacology, mental health & addiction
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Organizational/Career Psychology
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Introduction to Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice (*Antioch University)
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Personality Psychology
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Psychological Assessment/Psychometrics
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Psychophysiological Methods
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Social Psychology
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Social Work
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Special Topics in Psychology
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Creativity
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Indigenous Mental Health
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Trauma
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Sport Psychology
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Statistics and Research Methods
RELATED EXPERIENCE
September-December 2025
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PLACEMENT STUDENT-ACTT
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre
-Assisting in providing direct, community-based support to clients by meeting them in their own environments, mental health management, and recovery goals. -Learning about crisis intervention and de-escalation services, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure client safety and stabilization. -Supporting skill-building in areas such as self-care, social relationships, employment readiness, and community integration to promote independence and quality of life. -Advocating for client needs and rights within healthcare, social service, and community systems, while coordinating care with psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, and other team members.
August 2024-present
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAINING NETWORK (ISTN) TRAINEE
International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience (INQYR)
• Conducting resilience-focused research with sexual/gender diverse youth (SGDY) using information and communication technologies (ICTs), conducting interdisciplinary data analysis and team collaboration • Participating in academic seminars and writing groups to deepen expertise in gender diversity research. • Presented independent research at an online seminar, contributing to discussions on the need for scientific methodological reform.
September 2022-present
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Carleton University Social Psychophysiology (CUSP) Lab
Leading role: Beyond Binary: Rethinking Gender in Psychological Science o Conducting an independent research study addressing exclusionary methodological practices in social psychology research with gender-diverse communities using various quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods (i.e.: NVivo, SPSS, Nota) o Creating a coding manual and training a team of research assistants to conduct manual content analyses o Presented at Canadian Psychological Association’s Annual Convention (2024), and uOttawa’s Interdisciplinary Conference in Psychology (2023) • Couples Intimacy Study: investigating psychophysiological mechanisms associated with sexual victimization and relationship well-being. collecting and scoring physiological data (i.e.: Heart rate variability, impedance analysis, electrodermal activity) o Using various psychophysiological data collection and analysis methods (i.e.: MindWare, BIOPAC, AcqKnowledge) o Appointed member of leadership team December 2024 responsible for overseeing research assistance training on study protocol and psychophysiological data collection • Iconicity Study (collaboration with CLaSSI Lab): preliminary study design development Assisting with proofreading and consultation on lab website development
January 2015-present
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Ottawa Valley Roller Derby
• Upholding Codes of Conduct and Bylaws, maintaining open communications across league members regarding operational policies (Advisory Board) • Working in a team responsible for venue booking, contract formation, and equipment setup for events (Bouts/Interleague committee). • Overseeing and training a team of approximately 20-30 skating and non-skating volunteers in various roles (Assistant volunteer coordinator) • Engaging in community outreach, recruiting league sponsors, and organizing fundraising campaigns (Fundraising and Sponsorship) • Developing and delivering comprehensive athlete training plans for children, adults and new skaters (Training and Coaching, Juniors and Roller Derby 101 programmes) • Engaging in member and community-based discussions on creating a safe environment of sport, facilitating informed Return to Play frameworks, monitoring COVID-19 trends, and extreme weather advisories (Health and Safety) • Advocating for inclusivity via addressing barriers to sport and anti-discrimination.
September 2022-September 2025
LISTENER VOLUNTEER
7 Cups
• Engaging in one-on-one peer support-based chat sessions, guiding individuals through challenging emotions and providing resources for additional professional assistance when needed • Showcasing and practicing active listening skills, validating emotions, and offering appropriate coping strategies
September 2021-April 2022
HEALTH PROMOTION PEER EDUCATOR
Carleton University Office of Student Affairs
• Actively participated in biweekly meetings, provided insights of lived experience, and stayed informed about mental health developments across campus. • Served as the designated notetaker for specific sessions related to the Student Mental Health Framework 3.0 consultation, ensuring accurate documentation and supporting collaborative decision-making. • Co-facilitated a workshop titled "From Surviving to Thriving", designed to assist students with developing resiliency in the face of academic and life challenges.
May-June 2016
June-July 2021
CENSUS ENUMERATOR
Statistics Canada
• Collecting and maintaining meticulous records of respondent interviews, prioritizing data integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality • Building rapport while managing conflicts with difficult-to-reach respondents, ensuring a positive and constructive approach to encourage cooperation and compliance with the Census initiative. • Worked within a team responsible for the Kitchissippi Ward, achieving one of the highest response rates in Ottawa. Subsequently, our team extended support to other areas, contributing to the overall success of the census initiative.
September 2013- April 2014
REPORTER
The Arthur (Trent University)
- Writing news articles on campus, local, and national issues, demonstrating strong adaptability and editorial skills. - Event coverage was provided for initiatives such as Art for Awareness’ *Erasing the Stigma* campaign and TEDx Trent demonstrating informed and comprehensive reporting practices. - Writing reviews of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, contributing to diverse and engaging content. - An article on the Strategic Mandate Agreement was published that sparked campus-wide dialogue and received recognition from Trent University President Steven Franklin.
February 2005-August 2013
VOLUNTEER and LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
Westminster Pet Sanctuary
- Providing direct care for special medical needs animals, including feeding, administering medication, and assisting with minor medical procedures and first aid. - Assisting in animal transportation during routine and emergency situations, requiring adaptability, composure, and crisis management skills. - Various duties including social media management, donor communications, fundraising coordination, event planning, and volunteer training/coordination. - Financial and charitable status maintenance tasks including preparation of CRA charity tax returns - Supported a large-scale rescue operation in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC, where 300 cats were saved, contributing to the establishment of a fully functional SPCA. - Played a key role in event coordination and fundraising to help fund crucial medical care - Engaging in community outreach to promote animal welfare and expand donor and volunteer networks.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CERTIFICATIONS
• Standard First Aid/CPR C + AED (Canadian Red Cross)
• Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Check (Ottawa Police Service)
• Reliability Status for work in the Federal Public Service (Government of Canada)
• Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Administration Training (Government of Ontario)
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Training- WHMIS (YOW Canada Inc.)
• Ontario Worker Health & Safety Awareness (YOW Canada Inc.)
• Smart Serve (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario)
TRAININGS/CONTINUING EDUCATION
Research Practices
TCPS 2: CORE-2022 (Government of Canada Panel on Research Ethics)
Introduction to Gender-based Analysis Plus (Women and Gender Equality)
CIHR Gender and Health Training Modules (Canadian Institute of Health Research)
Bias in Peer Review
Core Competency for Sex and Gender in Biomedical Research
Core Competency for Sex and Gender in Primary Data Collection with Human Participants
Core Competency for Sex and Gender in the Analysis of Secondary Data from Human Participants
Scientific Writing Course (Duke University)
Nature Masterclass: Peer Review (Springer Nature)
Clinical and Mental Health
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Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
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Annual Conference 2025
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Ontario Psychological Association Feed Your Mind learning series
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PTSD and the First Responder-Unique Challenges
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Cardiac Psychology 101: Working with Adults with Heart Conditions
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Types of Cognitions in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Therapy
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Lunch and Learn Series: Brainspotting Therapy
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
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Canadian Psychological Association Convention Workshops
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Best Practice Recommendations on Developing Measures for Concepts Relevant to LGBTQ2S+ Populations and Psychometric Testing (Canadian Psychological Association)
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Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health
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Counselling and Peer Support
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Mental Health Structural Stigma in Healthcare (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
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Addressing Past Sexual Assault in Clinical Settings (Women's College Hospital)
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Overview of Clinical Military Counseling Skills (Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC)
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More Feet on The Ground (MFOTG): Recognize, Respond, Refer and Reflect (The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health)
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Be There Certificate (Jack.org)
Trauma Informed Models
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Trauma-Informed Certificate for Coaches (The Centre for Healing)
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Being Trauma Aware (Public Health Agency of Canada)
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Understanding Stigma (CAMH Continuing Education Series)
Children, Youth, and Families
Centre for Adolescent Studies Inc. learning series
Introduction to Compassion as a Resilience Tool for Helping Professionals
Resilience and Self-Care Basics for Helping Professionals
Teaching Mindfulness to Teens
Trauma Basics for Youth Workers
WOOP Self-Care into Shape
WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES
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#WeTheStudents: Ottawa Skills Symposium
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The Impact of Modern Society on Mental Health workshop
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Annual Neuropsychology Day and Brenda Milner Lecture
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2021 NEURON Conference
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Lancaster University Psychiatry Conference
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Adults' Virtual Mental Health Skills During Covid-19
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Emotional Stability, the True Strength of a First Responder
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Real Talk – Racism and Mental Health
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Decolonising Psychiatric Research: Part 1 + Part 2
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Nature vs. Nurture: Life Events Change Our Behaviour at the Genetic Level
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NeuroXChange Conference 2021
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Supporting Suicide Loss in Individuals and Communities: Guidance and Resources for Clinicians
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Scientific Evidence for Some of the Social, Personal, and Health Benefits of Meditation
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Cultivating A Culturally Trauma Informed Approach
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Trauma and Its Consequences
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Taking a biopsychosocial approach to understanding mental health: A focus on stress & trauma
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Healing Trauma with Psychedelics - A Conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté
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Conversation with Dr. Melanie Bechard on Youth Mental Health
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Safer Spaces 101 Training by Mathew Kent (Carleton University)
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2021 OPA 74th Annual Conference Workshops
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Being an Ally for Reconciliation in Psychology
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Power, Oppression & Unconscious Bias: The Need for Racial Justice in Psychology
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Using CBT Principles to Address Uncertainty
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Impact of COVID on First Responders with PTSD
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uOttawa’s Interdisciplinary Conference in Psychology 2023
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Canadian Psychology Association Annual Convention 2024