Drew Underwood, M.Ed.

Drew Underwood, M.Ed., is a Master’s Level therapist providing trauma and grief counseling as well as support for those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other difficulties navigating school and career challenges.

He believes in the potential for radical growth and incorporates aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based counseling approaches to provide culturally sensitive care that centers clients’ diverse experiences. 

Education  

Drew earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University where he studied Psychology and Education and his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Temple University. As a pre-licensed professional, Drew works under the supervision of current practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor Jen Perry whose expertise in trauma and mindfulness-based counseling approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will support his work.  

Experience  

Drew brings experience working with children, teens, and adults in both outpatient and school settings. He completed his practicum experience at Community Partnership School in North Philadelphia providing counseling services for Pre-K-5th grade students and implementing a social-emotional learning curriculum. For his internship, Drew provided counseling services for Temple University School of Pharmacy students as they navigated their program amidst the pandemic. Prior to Temple, he worked in student advancement and admissions for Duke University and Queens University of Charlotte respectively. Most recently, he was a dorm parent for Hill Top Preparatory School and an adjunct instructor for Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development.  

Services

Trauma and Grief Counseling 

Drew understands that unresolved trauma and grief lay beneath many of the struggles and symptoms people face on a daily basis. When people have the opportunity to share their stories in a safe, supportive environment, healing and change are possible. Drew draws upon teachings from mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and will also be getting trained in EMDR Therapy. Drew brings a rich understanding of the complexities of human diversity and is respectful of the ways our experiences of grief and trauma are shaped and influenced by our unique identity. As a pre-licensed professional, Drew works under the supervision of current practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor Jen Perry whose expertise in trauma and mindfulness-based counseling approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will support his work.  

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy 

Drew integrates teachings from mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients observe the impact of their thoughts, develop a deeper understanding of the ways thinking impacts their mood and behavior, and learn ways they can create a new path forward.  

Dialectical-Behavior Therapy 

Drew believes that DBT modules are effective in helping us combat, cope, and overcome concerns that inevitably arise, be they personal or professional. Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Distress Tolerance skills have been proven to help those living with Borderline Personality Disorder and all those experiencing anxiety, depression, and overwhelming emotions. This approach teaches skills to create a life you want, to navigate stressors with greater calm, clarity, and perspective, and to create healthy relationships with self and others.  

School and Career Challenges 

Drew provides support to children, teens, and young adults facing academic, social, and behavioral difficulties. Left unaddressed, stress in one area can easily spill over into another, interfering with our ability to connect easily, concentrate, perform well, or manage tasks. From his work with pharmacy students and high achieving high school students, he knows the importance of understanding any current struggles in the context of one’s whole life. Drew offers a safe space to share concerns and invites clients to discover new tools for managing stress so they can get back on their path to success.   

Client Focus 

As a social justice oriented counselor, Drew works to create a safe space for all clients to share their experiences. In order to build a strong therapeutic relationship, he prioritizes culturally specific therapy that caters to your current strengths.  

• Children 
• Adolescents 
• Emerging Adults 
• Black Identified Individuals
• LGBTQIA Individuals 

Research Interests 

Drew’s research interests include exploring racial disparities in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Most recently he co-authored a manuscript pending publication titled, An Analysis: Transformative and Restorative Justice that provides a comprehensive literature review of the topic.