Lucy F. Underwood
PhD LPC-S, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified ART
(469) 712-9143
Specializing in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), EMDR, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Anxiety, Depression, Complex PTSD, Mood Disorders, Emotional Issues due to Medical Concerns, Athletic Performance & Emotional Recovery from Sports Injuries
Dr. Lucy Underwood’s experiences have ranged from clinical and program administration to individual/group/family therapy to psychological testing. Diagnoses that she has treated include sports performance (professional and amateur), chronic mental health issues (e.g., Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, etc.), medical-psychiatric issues (e.g., Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, etc.), chemical dependency, chronic health issues (e.g., cancer, brain injury, infertility, etc.) and developmental disorders. Dr. Underwood has also had extensive experience in treating childhood and family disorders and working in outpatient mental health programs. Integrated into all of her clinical experiences has been a large element of formal teaching and training of nurses, social workers, CNA’s, etc. in behavior management, psychological issues of various populations, and conflict resolution/management.
One of the most exciting developments in the treatment of mental health is the use of Accelerated Resolutional Therapy (ART) and Eye Move Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is a Certified EMDR Therapist. EMDR is a research supported therapeutic approach that was originally designed by Dr. Francine Shapiro to address issues of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We now know that EMDR can assist an individual in addressing a wide range of symptoms that have been responsible for holding an individual back from living the life he/she so desires.
Dr. Underwood’s conceptualization of issues is based in Systems Theory, which suggests our cognitions and behaviors are largely influenced by the various layers of our environment in which a client was reared. It does not discount genetic issues. Her treatment application is grounded in Cognitive Behavior Therapy or what we commonly refer to as “talk therapy”. Dr. Underwood frequently incorporates the use of EMDR in conjunction with traditional talk therapy. With that said, she believes it important to figure out what works best for the client. At times, Dr. Underwood utilizes other treatment modalities including experiential therapies such as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Originally from Alabama, Dr. Underwood moved to Texas in 2010. In her spare time she enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, cooking, exercise, photography, and travel. Dr. Underwood has been collecting recipes from family in hopes of someday writing her own cookbook. She enjoys music, her kitty (Priscilla), three Basset Hounds (River, Lily, and Ruby), as well as her friends’ dogs and horses. Dr. Underwood is active in First United Methodist Church of McKinney, the American Cancer Society, the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Association, and serves on the advisory committee for the Women’s Alliance of McKinney, a division of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.