Deb Murphy has been an art therapy clinician, licensed professional counselor and educator with experience in the treatment of psychiatric, medical and special needs populations ranging from early childhood to geriatrics for over 30 years.  She facilitates the monthly Open Art Studio at the Ecumenical Center as well as other art therapy contract work for non-profit organizations. Deb is a child and youth military family counselor (MFLC) at Fort Sam Houston serving active-duty military and their dependents. Deb provides supervision for graduate art therapy interns and has supervised LPC-Associates and ATR-Interns for the last 20 years.  She readily serves the community providing education, workshops and presentations to increase public awareness on the art therapy profession. 

Deb Murphy graduated with a MA from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio and studied at Our Lady of the Lake University for her LPC. She has a BFA from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio and maintains her artist identity as a painter, muralist, clay and mixed media sculptor. She has a history of serving on several professional boards from the Buckeye Art Therapy Association, South Texas Art Therapy Association, Local Arrangements Committee Chair for the American Art Therapy Conference, to most recent, as a Board of Directors for the Art Therapy Credentials Board, 2017-2023. 

Deb was recognized with the award as Business Week’s Innovative Teacher and worked in collaboration with organizations and artists to receive grants for published art therapy research, arts in education and children’s mental health awareness.