Shirl Hughes Terrell holds a Ph.D. in Humanities with a concentration in Applied Linguistics and Aesthetic Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Masters in Jungian and Archetypal Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She taught Communication Studies and ESL at Collin College in Dallas for 22 years and now works with Traffick911, an organization seeking to free youth from sex-trafficking. Shirl's goal is to publish more work on mental illness to increase understanding and acceptance of individuals and families suffering its fallout.