Shonda is concluding her second year as a PhD student at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her research interests include eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients resolve psychological symptoms and emotional distress using a somatic-attachment approach. She is particularly interested in the reconsolidation of maladaptive memories within EMDR therapy. She completed EMDR basic training and began practicing the modality in 2020. Currently, she is completing advanced training to become certified through the EMDR International Association.

After many years of clinical practice with a variety of populations in Michigan, Shonda has returned to academia to earn a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. She is a previous graduate of Western Michigan University (1997), becoming a licensed masters-level psychologist (1997), and a licensed professional counselor (2015) in Michigan where her credentials remain current. In her free time, Shonda enjoys spending time with family & friends, her dog, music, traveling, going to the movies, and new adventures.