From 1981 to 2006, Dr. Bonnie Shannon worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a psychologist and administrator of District Psychological Services. As an LMFT, she trained medical personnel in disaster preparedness via a FEMA grant awarded to Harbor UCLA Hospital and provided pro-bono bereavement counseling to those whose family members were dying of various forms of cancer and other disorders. Additionally, she earned a certificate in gerontology. She  obtained mental health services for the aged and others who need mental health or educational support. She provided consulting services with regard to mental health needs/referrals and the education of regular education students and those with special needs. She had extensive experience as a presenter specific to at risk youth, including, but not limited to, suicide prevention, intervention and postvention (i.e., what services to provide after a completed suicide). In addition to having obtained a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist, she had Master’s degrees in Reading/Special Education and School Psychology and obtained a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.