Elinor Munson
Summary
Hello, my name is Ellie Munson. I am completing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Jacksonville University and will be seeking full-time employment starting this July or August. Over the past year, I have provided counseling to a diverse clientele aged 3 to 75, with a particular passion for supporting children and adolescents. My experience includes managing a demanding caseload, working with parental reunification, and holding space for families navigating complex trauma. I am also currently completing my play therapy certification.
Through this work, I have honed my capacity for active co-regulation, allowing me to serve as a grounding anchor for youth navigating acute stress, identity formation, and transitional anxiety. By applying a systemic, person-centered lens, I am uniquely equipped to help young clients establish healthy boundaries and foster healthy self-differentiation, all while building a collaborative and authentic therapeutic alliance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Counseling Intern
Thunderbolt Counseling Center
Savannah, GA
08.2025 - Current
- Conducted individual counseling sessions to address diverse client needs, facilitating personal growth and development of coping strategies.
- Conducted intake assessments and interviews to identify client needs, ensuring tailored support and effective service delivery.
- Assisted with crisis intervention and provided referrals to resources.
- Led activities to enhance social skills and emotional regulation, fostering client engagement and personal development.
- Maintained clinical records ensuring compliance with federal standards and supporting quality service delivery.
Kindergarten Assistant
Savannah Country Day School
Savannah, USA
08.2023 - Current
- Facilitated foundational learning by guiding children in letter and sound recognition, reading and writing skills, and basic number concepts.
- Engaged directly with students to enhance knowledge through a multifaceted approach involving art, writing, and math.
- Assisted in the Kindergarten classroom and contributed to the teaching team as recognized by parents and students.
Student Representative
University Systems of Georgia
11.2021 - Current
- Represented GCSU at University System of Georgia Mental Health Consortium, contributing to state-level mental health dialogue.
- Joined strategic planning team at yearly conference to develop and implement mental health initiatives on campus.
- Collaborated with University System of Georgia to create and enhance comprehensive mental health programs as a member of JED strategic team.
Reproductive Health Educator
Masai Mara, Kenya
, Kenya
01.2019 - Current
- Taught education course to young women on reproductive resources and health, empowering them with knowledge for informed choices.
- Supplied resources to support a program for women's access to contraceptives and reproductive health.
- Educated women on combating domestic violence and understanding their rights, fostering a supportive community.
- Lived among Masai people in rural Kenya to deepen understanding of their culture and reproductive health needs.
Volunteer
Georgia Epilepsy Foundation
01.2014 - Current
- Fundraised for epilepsy research and awareness initiatives, enhancing community support and understanding of the condition.
- Delivered presentations on neurological disorders, including epilepsy, educating community members and increasing awareness.
- Educated community on first aid procedures for neurological medical emergencies, improving response capability during crises.
Secretary for Student Government Association
Georgia College & State University
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Led meetings as Secretary for Student Government Association, advocated for student interests, and fostered student engagement through collaborative discussions.
- Drafted legislation enhancing campus safety and supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives, contributing to a more inclusive campus environment.
- Managed communications and correspondence for faculty and staff, ensuring timely and clear information flow.
- Organized meetings and events for university departments, streamlining scheduling and promoting interdepartmental collaboration.
- Maintained accurate records and files for administrative purposes.
Lab Assistant
Georgia College & State University
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Lab assistant for Dr. Harold 'Lee' Gillis on his work with treating substance use disorder.
- Presented research on Group Therapy in congruence with substance use disorder at SEPA conference (South Eastern Psychological Association).
- Analyzed data from treatment programs to identify insights on Adventure Therapy's effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates.
- Analyzed hundreds of comments to extract consistent themes relevant to our research findings.
Study Abroad Researcher
Georgia College and State University
Montepulciano, Italy
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Developed research proposal on parental-child relationships in Italy, outlining objectives and methodology to guide study.
- Worked closely with Dr. Tsu-Ming Chiang a developmental psychologist, to create a research project in which I could analyze and compare interpersonal relationships among Italy & the United States.
- Investigated cultural differences impacting interpersonal relationships between the United States and Italy.
- Gathered data from over seven cities in Italy mainly in the Tuscan Region, diverse cities of large and small populations.
- Analyzed over 60 participants and the level of physical affection between fathers and children.
- Gathered and analyzed cross-cultural data on technology usage among children with parental presence in the United States and Italy, highlighting key patterns and implications.
- Created a comprehensive review and presentation synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, illustrating mastery of research phases such as literature review, hypotheses, data collection, analysis, and discussion.
Internship & Director of Campaign Excellence
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Atlanta, USA
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Raised over $36,000 for cancer research through participation in Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Students of the Year program, earning Mission Awareness Award and Scholarship.
- Led Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Circle of Hope Leadership Committee, enhancing youth programs like Students of the Year and mentoring current teams to foster leadership skills.
- Facilitated outdoor leadership activities for groups, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.
- Supported event planning and execution as intern with Senior Special Events managers, Chantal Robertson and Kacey Danley, completing over 350 hours of event support (2017-2019).
Education
Masters - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Fl08-2026
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA05-2023
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Child and adolescent support
- Data analysis
- Team collaboration
- Written communication
- Adaptability in counseling
Additional Information Awards
- Recipient of Freshman and Junior Psychology Award, Georgia College, 2020, 2022
- Member of Eta Sigma Alpha Honors Fraternity, 2019-2023
- Member of Psi Chi, 2022-Present
- Named Atlanta's 20 under 20, 2018
Certifications Memberships
- American Psychological Association (APA) member, 2020-Present
- American Play Therapy Association (May 2025)
- Chi Sigma Iota- Counseling Honors Society-March 2025
- Phi Kappa Phi- Honors society- March 2026
- Psi Chi (psychological honors society), 2020-Present
- SPSS (statistical package for social sciences)
- Certified for working with Human participants - Citi Program, 2027
Timeline
Counseling Intern
Thunderbolt Counseling Center
08.2025 - Current
Kindergarten Assistant
Savannah Country Day School
08.2023 - Current
Study Abroad Researcher
Georgia College and State University
06.2022 - 07.2022
Secretary for Student Government Association
Georgia College & State University
03.2022 - 05.2023
Student Representative
University Systems of Georgia
11.2021 - Current
Lab Assistant
Georgia College & State University
08.2021 - 05.2023
Reproductive Health Educator
Masai Mara, Kenya
01.2019 - Current
Internship & Director of Campaign Excellence
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
01.2015 - 01.2020
Volunteer
Georgia Epilepsy Foundation
01.2014 - Current
Masters - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jacksonville University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Georgia College & State University