Jessica Shannon

Hi, I’m Jessica, a board-certified chaplain specializing in pediatric spiritual care, grief, and bereavement.

I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2007, and completed my clinical pastoral education journey through 2008, becoming board certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains in 2017. Within my call, I have felt a further call into ministry with the bereaved, end of life care, and spiritual care with children and their families.

I have felt a stronger call to children and their families, and that call has evolved from hospitals to finding ways to provide spiritual care when they may not otherwise have access to it, whether that is in clinic settings where chaplains are rarely staffed, in their home, or virtually.

I have significant experience supporting people in crisis from serving as a chaplain in a Level I trauma hospital, including as a Life Flight chaplain, and extensive experience in ERs and ICUs. Trauma care requires chaplains to assess needs quickly while being the calmest person in the room. I thrive in pediatric chaplaincy, particularly with elementary age and early adolescence. I have served in hospices and provided strong support to families, patients with cancer, ALS, and early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia.

I’m most equipped to support patients, families, and staff through trauma, grief, medical decision making, and end of life preparation, discussion, and coping. I find storytelling, spiritual play, and building on foundations of hope as parts of my assessments and interventions.

I do all I can to enter their world and never ask them to enter mine. Active listening and a calming, non-judgmental ministry of presence allow people to feel heard while building trust and connection. It is that relational aspect where spiritual care lives.

I am most passionate about education, bereavement, and family centered care. I am always excited for opportunities to educate patients, families, and others through public speaking and writing, particularly on grief and bereavement. I also enjoy supporting caregivers and giving them an outlet to be vulnerable and heard.

I have witnessed God moving throughout my vocation, and I am always looking for where God leads next.