John Murphy(He/Him/His)

John Murphy, LCMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor who works with parents losing ground at home, adults whose past keeps showing up in their present, and individuals who are tired of feeling unseen in their own lives. His clients tend to be motivated, self-aware people who have already tried the books, the podcasts, and the calm voice — and are ready for something that actually works.

His approach is direct, structured, and practical. John draws from Choice Theory, Reality Therapy, and nearly two decades of hands-on work with some of the most behaviorally complex young people imaginable — court-involved adolescents, children in crisis, kids whose behavior far exceeded what most families encounter. That background gave him a clear-eyed understanding of what drives difficult behavior, what changes it, and what doesn’t work regardless of how sincerely it’s attempted. He builds frameworks that function in real homes with real kids.

John also works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relational exhaustion, and the long reach of a difficult upbringing. For clients who carry patterns they didn’t choose and aren’t sure how to put down, his work combines clinical skill with honest, grounded perspective. He is trained in EMDR for trauma processing when appropriate — though the right approach is always determined by what the client actually needs.

Shepherd’s Heart Counseling is located in Siler City, North Carolina. John sees clients in person and via telehealth throughout the state. His practice is private pay and intentionally small — because the work requires genuine attention. If you’re looking for a place to vent indefinitely, this probably isn’t it. If you’re looking for clarity, tools, and a real path forward, it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.