Dr. Justin Gravely-Strayhorn

A lot of men arrive in therapy through anger, because it is often the only feeling they were ever given permission to have. If that is you, or if the anxiety has been running underneath everything for years, or if something happened to you that you have never said out loud, you are in the right place. I'm Dr. Justin D. Gravely-Strayhorn, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I earned my Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University and my Doctor of Education from Liberty University. I work with adults on anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, relationships, and the particular weight men carry when they have been taught that handling it alone is the same thing as being strong. Culture is part of that conversation, not separate from it. What shaped you, what was expected of you, and what it costs to keep performing being fine all belong in the room. My approach combines evidence-based therapy with compassion, cultural awareness, and a holistic view of wellness. I believe growth happens when we feel seen, supported, and empowered to rewrite our stories.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and built around your particular story rather than a protocol. We work together to identify your strengths, uncover the patterns that keep repeating, and build practical tools you can actually use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is where we examine the thoughts running underneath your reactions and test whether they are true. Trauma-Focused CBT is for when something from the past is still shaping the present, and there we move at a pace you set. Solution-Focused work is for the times you would rather get traction than analyze, and it tends to move quickly. Mindfulness is for the moments when your body has gotten ahead of your thinking. I am also direct. If I notice something getting in your way, I will name it, respectfully and plainly, because I do not think being gentle and being honest are in conflict. What I want is a space where you can set things down without managing anyone's reaction to them, gain some insight, and build the kind of resilience that holds up outside this room.

In our first session you can expect a welcoming, judgment-free space where you share your story at your own pace. I take time to listen, understand your goals, and begin identifying what has been getting in the way of your peace or your progress. We will talk about what brought you in now, what has been hardest lately, what you have already tried, and who is actually in your corner. There is no expectation that you arrive organized or say everything at once. If something feels like too much for a first conversation, you can tell me it is there and we will come back to it. Together we will discuss what you hope to gain from therapy and begin developing a plan tailored to you. My goal is for you to leave that first session feeling heard, supported, and encouraged about the path ahead.