Marsheena Murray

I listen first, without pressure, and then I give tools you can use on an ordinary day. With children and teens, that means teaching ways to handle big emotions, stress, and behavior, and giving parents something clear enough to try at home. Teens usually talk. Parents are in the process: some meetings are with you, some with your child, and some with both. After a first meeting I put together a plan from your child's needs and your goals, and I share ideas for home, school, or routines if they would help.

Most families start weekly or every two weeks, then we change the rhythm as things shift. I do not ask a child to sit and be talked at for the whole time.

We start with a consultation. We talk about your goals and about whether we are a good fit, and we sketch a plan from there. With a child, I then make a plan based on your child's needs and your goals.

For a child, I start by making the meeting calm enough that they can take part. If they are nervous, I go at their pace and spend time on comfort before anything else. Younger children may play, draw, or do an activity. Parents get updates, tools, and sometimes a meeting of their own. After that first piece of work we set a regular time, and you can check in as we go.

I specialize in children and adolescents, and I also work with adults, couples, and families. Parents are included when the client is a child or a teen. People come about anxiety, big emotions, behavior, school stress, friendships, anger, sadness, divorce, loss, and other changes. Adults come about stress, burnout, and life transitions. Couples come about communication and trust. Families come about conflict and parenting stress. I also support parents who feel overwhelmed.

I bring a focus on children and teens, and a habit of treating parents as partners. I listen first. I do not stop at listening. I want you to leave with a tool you can try at home or at school, and with a next step that is clear.

I am known for being warm, real, and easy to talk to. I meet people at their pace, including a child who is not sure they want to be there.

I am a licensed psychologist in Texas. I hold board certification in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. I did a pediatric-psychology internship at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

I have published on the acting-White accusation, racial identity, and anxiety in African American adolescents, including my 2011 dissertation and a journal paper, and I am an author on a 2023 overview of COVID-19 and children's behavioral health.