About Megan Murray, LCSW

I strive to empower students, athletes, and educators to gain confidence, balance, and peace of mind.

Seeking out therapy is a courageous step and trying to find the right therapist can be overwhelming. You're probably very busy, so I hope to make this process as easy as possible for you.

You’ve definitely come to the right place if you’re a teen or adult who’s in school, playing sports, teaching, or coaching within a high school, college, or university. I’ve had great success supporting such individuals with overcoming the unique and difficult challenges they face. I know from my own personal experiences what these endeavors are like and that you CAN overcome them.

“Obstacles don’t block the path; they are the path.”
– Zen Proverb

Mission & Beliefs

Wholehearted therapy is dedicated to improving the mental wellness of teens and adults who are working, studying, or competing within the worlds of education and athletics.

This is achieved by providing compassionate and strengths-based therapy that empowers individuals to overcome the anxiety, stress, and burnout often associated with academics and sports. I believe that with the right mindset, habits, and support in place, anyone has the potential to transform their hardships into positive growth and change. As such, therapy is not about avoiding or eliminating difficult feelings and experiences; it’s about becoming empowered to cope with and learn from them effectively. My goal is to be an inspirational source of support for those taking on this courageous journey.

My Background
(The Nitty Gritty)

Credentials

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nine years of experience.

I’m also a Licensed School Social Worker and a Certified Human Kinetics Coach.

I have a Master's in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Illinois.

Athletics/Coaching

I was a competitive athlete in both high school and college. I played varsity basketball, volleyball, and soccer in high school. I competed on the UIUC Women’s Club Basketball team in college.

I went on to coach girls’ varsity and AAU basketball for six years in Chicago. I still love to compete for women’s basketball leagues whenever I can.

School Social Work

I worked as a high school social worker for six years on the Near West Side of Chicago, where I also coached varsity girls’ basketball, led professional development for social workers, and operated a program for students in transitional living situations.

Private Practice

I worked for a group private practice in Chicago for three years, providing individual and family therapy for adolescents and adults.

I’ve owned and operated my own solo private practice for two years.

Why I Do What I Do

My values and motivation as a therapist in large part stem from my experiences as a youth mentor, high school social worker, basketball coach, and student-athlete. Like many of my clients, I experienced the intense mental and physical demands of playing multiple competitive sports while taking rigorous classes. It was during this time that I developed a strong interest and passion for learning about mental health and helping other people.

Naturally, this led me to pursue a career as a school social worker and basketball coach in Chicago. In this setting, I witnessed and experienced the stress, trauma, and pressures that students, athletes, teachers, and other school personnel deal with on a daily basis. While this deeply frustrated me, it also inspired me to start my own private practice in order to provide a therapeutic space where these amazing and hard-working individuals can be heard, supported, and truly understood.

Throughout this journey, I’ve seen so many of my clients face adversity and accomplish their goals. Whether it was overcoming anxiety, improving grades, performing better in sports, creating more balance, or finding fulfillment at work again, they were able to achieve it with the right strategies and support in place. I’m so excited to help you do the same!

Featured in:

Go Solo Magazine

Approach

What you can expect in therapy with me...

Teamwork

THERAPY IS A TEAM EFFORT. You are the expert of your own life, and my role is to learn about you and to support you in reaching your full potential. We will work together in building trust, facing your most difficult challenges, and pursuing your largest aspirations. We’re in this together.

Compassion

I strive to create a culturally competent, trauma-informed, and compassionate space where you can process your thoughts and feelings openly. I genuinely want to understand what you’re experiencing (good or bad), and I will offer a nonjudgemental ear. JUDGEMENT HAS NO PLACE IN THERAPY.

Authenticity

I’m constantly learning and flawed just like everyone else. I don’t claim to know all of the answers. What I bring to the table is MY AUTHENTIC SELF; someone who is sincerely passionate about helping people, empathetic, calm, and open-minded. I’ll let you know when I can relate to you, which is probably often. I’ll most likely share a few relevant (and hopefully interesting) stories, metaphors, or tips about the things I love, like sports, yoga, reading, nutrition, and binge-worthy TV shows :).

Accountability

I will encourage you to find the balance between PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT TO CHANGE. While therapy is meant to be a place where you can relieve stress and feel empowered, this can only happen fully when there is a dedicated and consistent effort on both ends. I will kindly let you know when I see room for growth and will support you in navigating your barriers. I also encourage you to let me know if you have questions or concerns about my approach.

Evidence-Based Methods

I incorporate evidence-based treatment modalities that are TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sport Psychology. These approaches are strengths-based and will involve a mixture of empathetic and reflective listening, thoughtful feedback, and new perspectives and science-backed tools for helping you overcome the challenges you face.

Reach out to me today!

Please complete the form below to request a 15-minute complimentary phone consultation. This will be an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations for therapy and to determine if we're a good fit.