Keith Dempsey, PhD, LPC, NCC

Dr. Keith Dempsey earned a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Oregon State University (OSU) in 2009. He is the former Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University. He is the first African American to receive tenure at the Institution. He has conducted national presentations and trainings regarding issues of diversity, racial trauma, and the plight of black men. Dr. Dempsey is the past President of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES).

Dr. Dempsey has 25+ years of professional experience in the helping field. He served as a multi-systemic therapist at Self Enhancement Inc.  He was also a clinical social worker at the Casey Family Programs. He later developed substantial programs at the African American Health Coalition (AAHC) designed to combat physical and mental health disparities.  He is currently the owner of Keith Dempsey Counseling & Consulting LLC.  He and some of his selected colleagues provide mental health consulting and services to individuals, families, couples, and agencies.

Dr. Dempsey believes in the power of counseling.  He has conducted national presentations regarding the importance of mental wellness.  He advocates for communities to move past the stigma of mental health and lean into the new normalcy of seeking professional therapeutic support. He is often known to say, “It’s okay, not to be okay,” and “mental health is a human experience.” Dr. Dempsey is a strong advocate for mental health, wellness, and self-care. He is a contributing author of African Americans and Mental Health.

Dr. Dempsey has provided substantial volunteerism with organizations such as The Salvation Army, MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, and The Prospective Gents Organization. As a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., he coordinated the Kappa League youth program. The program provided mentoring for young men from 3rd grade through high school.  He currently runs a program called Baby Steps at Kiros Elementary School.  The program is designed to teach unity, brotherhood, and love through the lens of positive Black empowerment. In addition, he conducts free webinars educating community members about mental health and coping strategies.

Dr. Dempsey’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He received the Oregon Youth Authority Outstanding Service Award; Alpha Kappa Alpha Emerald Award for excellence in education; Portland Community College Social Justice Comrade Award; Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) Outstanding Leadership Award; Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award; Oregon State University Black Achievement Award; Oregon State University Alumni Legacy Award; Most recently, The American Association of Counseling Presidential Citation Award for outstanding community service and advocacy.