Jonathan 'Riley' Murdock, LCSW

Jonathan 'Riley' Murdock is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Idaho who focuses on helping people navigate major life shifts. He prioritizes being fully in the client’s corner and works to create a nonjudgmental space where people can talk through what feels stuck. Riley speaks plainly about stress, shame, and the small steps that lead to change. He frames change as gradual and practical. Sessions break problems into manageable steps so progress feels doable rather than overwhelming. He often uses visual metaphors and plain language to make ideas easy to remember and apply between meetings. Riley draws on client-centered methods to follow each person’s priorities and on cognitive-behavioral techniques to spot patterns that keep problems going. He also uses mindfulness tools to build present-moment awareness and motivational interviewing to help clients clarify goals and move toward them. People who bring issues like stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, sleep struggles, and coping with life changes may find his down-to-earth style helpful. He also addresses concerns such as attachment challenges, body image, chronic illness, communication problems, and divorce and separation. With four years of clinical experience as an LCSW, he aims to combine warmth and clear practical steps. He invites clients to explore why they act the way they do, try small experiments, and notice what changes over time. The approach is collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy puts the person's goals first and emphasizes listening and empathy. Online sessions let a therapist follow what matters most to the client and shape each meeting around those priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors. In online sessions CBT often uses homework, written worksheets, and short behavior experiments to track change between meetings. Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to match methods to the client's needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying practical steps, adjusting pace, and choosing strategies that feel useful for the situation. Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let clients use visual tools and shared materials in-session, which supports Riley's preference for visual explanations and step-by-step experiments.