G-Coty Shorter, MHA
Assessment Coach
Before coming to the Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma, G-Coty worked in the mental health field for eight years. She was a behavior health technician and worked with adolescents and youth who soon aged out of the system. This led to her understanding of trauma and how it affects those who do not address it. After years of teaching adolescents coping skills and leading group sessions, G-Coty decided to take the opportunity to work with older adults. She spent a year working with older adults that suffered from dementia and educating social workers, community health representatives, and case managers on how to better support those individuals. She was a Community Outreach Coordinator who started an Age-Friendly ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) for those who worked with aging adults. Her personal life has caused her to return to her passion and work to better assist children and families.
G-Coty was born in Houston, Texas, and moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, where she received her bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Central Oklahoma with a minor in psychology and sociology. She then went on to earn her master’s in health administration from Capella University. She usually spends a lot of her time playing basketball and coaching her son’s track and field team. G-Coty has two wonderful boys who brighten up her life and keep her motivated through tough times.
A Q&A with G-Coty Shorter
“What are your responsibilities?”
As an assessment coach, I create trainings to bring awareness of trauma to organizations. My passion for educating and creating a safe space for those who have suffered from trauma has led to this wonderful journey. With my love for graphic designing, I have found a home where I can spread my wings and design one-pagers for organizations utilizing our services. I have used my behavioral health experience to better understand and serve those we train.
“What is one way you promote resilience in your life or the lives around you?”
One way I promote resilience in children’s lives or the lives around them is to support those who closely work with them. Making sure to meet teachers, social workers, family members, and community workers where they are and helping address trauma and secondhand trauma has become my goal at the Center. Utilizing the guiding principles developed by the Childhood Trauma Task Force, I have learned to incorporate safety, trust, and transparency to increase awareness and give children and their families a voice and sense of empowerment.