Collin County has been blessed to have an outstanding mental health care provider settle in McKinney. Dr. Lucy Underwood is known for being a practice where other therapists seek therapy. After 21 years of working in psychiatric institutions and residential treatment programs, she was ready to “step away from care that was dictated by legislative appropriations and managers with no training in healthcare organizations and lacked basic knowledge of mental health issues”. Having grown up in a family business, Dr. Underwood could apply those experiences to her own practice.
Her late parents instilled great core values and beliefs, providing a wonderful work ethic and sense of community. The tenets of her practice are based on:
· Respect the needs of others.
· Treat people well.
· Everyone deserves to know what it is to feel loved, cared for, and believed in.
· No one rises to low expectations.
· There is room for us all in this field. She collaborates with other practices in the area.
· Asking for help is courageous and brave.
Education:
· Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Auburn University
· Master of Science in Counseling & Human Development from Troy University-Montgomery and Vanderbilt
· PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis
· American Psychological Association Residency was at Mississippi State Hospital
· Post-Doctoral Training at East Mississippi State Hospital
· EMDRIA Certified EMDR Trauma Therapist
· Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy with Advanced and Enhanced Training
Dr. Underwood has been in practice for 27 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Texas and Colorado, a National Certified Counselor, and a Board Certified Telemental Health Counselor. She utilizes her trauma therapy training along with Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Family Systems Therapy.
Dr. Underwood has extensive experience in the treatment of children, pre-adolescents, adolescents, adults, and seniors for concerns of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD); trauma; anxiety; depression; mood disorders; emotional distress related to chronic and persistent medical issues; and elite athletic performance and emotional recovery from sports injuries.
Published in the Journal of Psychological Assessment she has also provided numerous conference presentations across Mississippi and Texas as well as radio and television appearances on topics such as the opioid crisis, PTSD in female Veterans, and Recognizing & Managing Grief in the Absence of a Death.
An avid Auburn Tiger from Alabama, Dr. Underwood moved to Texas in 2010, with her husband, Neil. She enjoys gardening, cooking, exercise, photography, and travel. Dr. Underwood collects recipes from family in hopes of someday writing her own cookbook. Coming home each day to her husband, kitty (Piper), and three Basset Hounds (River, Lily, and Ruby) brings enormous joy to her.
Published in the Journal of Psychological Assessment, she has provided numerous presentations and radio appearances on various topics such as the Opioid Crisis and more.