Chris Murphy
Greetings! My name is Chris Murphy. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with several years of experience providing holistic, trauma-informed, solution-focused, and client-centered care to those I serve. My therapeutic approach draws on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and multicultural counseling. As a therapist, my goal is to empower you to tap into your inner strength and resilience, giving you the tools to reclaim control over your life. I strive to create a space that is compassionate and empathetic; a space where you can express yourself freely and without judgement. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults to address life’s transitions, trauma, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and identity-related issues.
First session
During our first meeting, we'll get to know each other, ensure we're a good fit, and begin building a plan around your goals. From there, each session becomes a shared, judgment-free space where you can freely express yourself at your own pace. Together, we'll explore the experiences and patterns shaping your life, make sense of what may be holding you back, and identify actionable steps to help you move forward with purpose.
Strengths
I believe real change happens when you feel safe enough to receive it. My therapeutic style is laid-back, empathetic, and personable. I want our sessions to feel like a space where you can share your innermost thoughts without fear of judgment, and where you feel genuinely empowered to grow toward the change you’re working to achieve. I’m here to support you in reclaiming your power: building confidence in your own ability to make sound decisions, developing coping strategies that actually stick, challenging you to push beyond the limits you place on yourself, and moving closer to the life you want to live. My hope is that what we build together doesn’t just help in the moment; I hope it gives you a sense of clarity and courage you carry with you long after our work is done.
Ideal clients
I work well with people who are ready to grow, even if you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of your direction. Maybe you’ve spent so long holding things together for everyone else that you feel neglected and unsupported. Maybe life is moving fast and you just need a soft place to land — somewhere to reset before you get back to it. Or maybe you’re facing anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, or a major life transition or relationship challenge. Whatever it is, you don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. You just need to be open to the idea that things can get better.
Treatment methods
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a quiet and deeply introspective approach that helps you process and release trauma without having to talk through every painful detail. Instead of relying on words alone, we work with a specific eye position that connects to where distress is being held in your brain and body, and I simply stay present while your own mind does the deeper work of healing. This approach is especially powerful if traditional talk therapy has felt like it only scratches the surface, or if putting your pain into words has never quite captured what you’re carrying. Brainspotting goes beneath conscious thought, to where trauma often lives, so healing happens on a deeper level. I use Brainspotting to support clients working through PTSD, trauma, anxiety, grief, chronic stress, and more. It’s a gentle, client-led process.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a hands-on, organized, and collaborative approach for understanding how thoughts, emotions, and actions are linked, and how changing one can impact the others. Together, we’ll identify the thought patterns keeping you stuck, whether that’s anxious overthinking, self-criticism, or automatic reactions that no longer serve you, and work to reframe them into something more manageable.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is a practical, skills-based approach that helps you manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive reactions, and build healthier relationships. It centers on four core skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This approach gives you real tools to appreciate, navigate, and move past difficult moments without feeling overwhelmed by them.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment proven to help clients resolve trauma, heal from emotional distress, achieve a preferred level of mental functioning, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves when traditional talk therapy does not seem to achieve their preferred goals. This treatment method uses bilateral stimulation, where a trained therapist uses guided eye movements, tapping, and/or sounds to help clients achieve their preferred goals. EMDR can be a slow process, where I assess your history, help you develop/strengthen coping skills, and ensure you are prepared for the next stage before moving to desensitization and reprocessing. With EMDR, you do not have to retell every disturbing or uncomfortable detail about your issue. We can discuss what EMDR may look like for you during a consultation or during future sessions.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Other specialties
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Licensed in
- AlabamaLicense LPC05938