LEXA MURPHY

Foster parent, Child Psychologist, teacher.
Likes: Evidence-based practice. Data. Collaboration. Coconuts. Passport stamps. Sleep (now that she's a parent).
Dislikes: Chicken on pizza. Stepping on legos. Systems that foster inequity. Stigma associated with youth in foster care.

As both a child psychologist and a foster parent, Lexa believes whole-heartedly in the mission of Angels. Her journey to supporting youth in foster care started with her doctoral research, by examining how families communicate about potentially traumatic experiences and how this predicts risk for post-traumatic stress in youth. As a clinical psychologist, she has been deeply impacted by the resilience of youth in foster care and the dedication of caring adults who support them. She believes that we should all look for, and expect, resilience in children - that resilience in childhood is just "ordinary magic."

Lexa is a licensed psychologist practicing and teaching in Washington State. She received her PhD in Clinical Science at Vanderbilt University, then completed her residency and fellowship in child psychology at University of Washington / Seattle Children's Hospital. She and her husband are proud foster parents.