Ian Murdock
LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker
My way of being with clients offers compassion, humor, and authenticity. My presence is often described as warm, grounding, and reassuring. My approach is person-centered, which means that while I may provide observations and skills, you the patient are the expert, and that we are working together to understand what troubles you.
In session we will create a comfortable place where you can explore all of your most uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. These might be things you can't say to friends and loved ones, but needed the experience of hearing yourself say to someone you trust. In response, I can give constructive feedback that might not hit right if it came from those closest to you, but you really needed to hear from someone who understands you and wants you to live your best life.
I am neurodivergent-affirming, anti-racist, and queer-affirming, and I work with people to explore ways their adaptive skills have been pathologized, discouraged, and stigmatized.
When appropriate, we may focus on targeted interventions such as EMDR and exposure therapy, and skill building based in CBT, DBT, and ACT. We may also focus on existential concerns, especially around meaning making and coming to terms with what choices you have in life and facing them with courage.
A non-exhaustive list of challenges/populations I have experience with: PTSD and CPTSD, depression, anxiety, loneliness, feeling “stuck”, lack of meaning, ADHD and neurodiversity, artists, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+, life transitions, struggles managing emotions, shame and doubt, addiction, bipolar, panic attacks, members of various subcultures, and folks who are not sure, they just want change.
My personal interests include creative writing, making music with friends, running, cooking, and spending time in the woods. Much of this is liable to show up in examples and metaphors in session!
I accept Aetna, Cigna, Highmark, & United/Optum insurances.
I am available in Fishtown & Society Hill, as well as virtual.
Please click the button below to contact our administrative team and begin the intake process.