Meet Dr. DeAnna Murphy of Synergy Care and Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. DeAnna Murphy. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Dr. DeAnna Chenelle Murphy is described by her industry peers as bold, optimistic, and self-driven. A native of Red Springs, North Carolina, Murphy has dedicated nearly two decades of her life researching and serving dually diagnosed populations: mental health and substance abuse. Working alongside disadvantaged minorities, she gained insight as to how to apply critical theories to current problems. 

Professionally, she attained licensure as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist, and an EMDR certified trauma specialist. 

With her vast background through education and professional experience, Murphy has now transitioned into her own private counseling clinic. Synergy Care and Counseling has been tailored to provide education and empowerment for woman who have experienced trauma and are ready for healing. The practice provides counseling to individuals, families, and couples. 

Spring 2018, Murphy released her first children’s book, Rayne and the Yellow Dress, part of a series titled Ebony Drive. The series was created as a pathway for parents and educators to discuss topics of diversity, such as colorism, hair texture, body image, and mental illness within the black community. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Dr. Murphy took a leap of faith and left her employer of 11 years to establish Synergy Care and Counseling. For the first several months, it was her prayer that God bless her with just 10 clients per week so that she could sustain. Quickly those numbers changed. It was the year of 2020 that drastically changed the clientele of Synergy Care and Counseling. Late one evening in early 2020, her mother called and said it is late, and I haven’t heard from you. Dr. Murphy replied I’m just getting off work, I saw 10 individual ladies today for therapy.” Her mother said, wow, I can remember when you were praying for 10 individuals a week, and now you are seeing 10 a day. It was in that moment that Dr. Murphy realized not only the growth of her clinic but also, she noticed the full impact that COVID-19 and racial injustice had on mental health within her community. 

For an entire year, Dr. Murphy provided counseling services 6 days a week seeing between 8-10 individuals per day. Many of the individuals were uninsured and were unable to pay for therapy. While helping those who could not afford therapy, she was comforted by words given to her by God: If you take care of my people, I will take care of you. Three years later, she continues to provide pro bono services to members of the community in need. 

Dr. Murphy realized that the long work hours endured in 2020 were not healthy and that she needed to incorporate self-care methods and boundaries within her daily life. In 2021, Dr. Murphy increased her clinical team and welcomed Maureen Gupton. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Synergy Care and Counseling was created in August 2018. The current clinical team consists of Dr. DeAnna Murphy, who specializes in the following modalities: EMDR and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Populations treated are those who have experienced trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, and depression, 

Maureen Gupton specializes in working with individuals who are transitioning in life from: career changes, divorce, medical-induced anxiety, and grief. 

Our Vision: 

Healing the Community One Individual at a Time! 

We provide Individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy (teen girls). 

What sets Synergy Care and Counseling apart? Synergy Care and Counseling is a total experience. The term Synergy means to combine two resources together to form a greater sum. We bring Synergy by offering individuals the opportunity to combine mental and physical health or mental and spiritual well-being to help them achieve total healing. We offer a chic yet comfortable environment to receive in-person therapy as well as a HIPAA-compliant platform for secure online therapy. 

We are proud of the impact that we have on our clients. It is an honor to be chosen by our clients and an even greater honor to see them excel in life. 

What do you think about happiness?
I am most happy when I see my clients embracing their healing journey. It brings me extreme joy when I see them arrive to therapy, smiling in full recognition of the progress that they have made in their own lives. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.synergycareandcounseling.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-murphy-ed-d-3a99a09b/

Image Credits
Kenyel Jones
Jazmine Bunch
Stephanie Marie