Barry Murphy

Clinical Director

barry.murphy@abccm.org

Barry Murphy, LCSW serves as the Clinical Director for Veterans Services of the Carolinas, focusing on the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program, as well as our PATH and HOPE outreach programs. Previously he managed the Healing Outreach Partnerships for Empowerment (HOPE) program for Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). Mr. Murphy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker earning his Master’s degree in Social Work at Western Carolina University. In his current role he implements extensive outreach services targeting Veterans with serious mental illnesses in a multi-county catchment in NC. 

Prior to joining ABCCM, Barry worked eight years at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC. During this time he worked in several departments to include, Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, ER, Women’s Clinic, and Inpatient Treatment. In addition he held various positions to include Dialysis Coordinator and POW Coordinator. Over this time he bridged the relationships between the VA Medical Centers and both state and local Veterans Service Officers, resulting in improved efficiency and efficacy of the claims processes, as well as access to healthcare.

In 2015 he spearheaded a new workflow process between the VHA and VBA for the VHA directive 1059, which vastly improved immediate care for ‘other than honorable discharged’ Veterans struggling with mental health. His work resulted in these cases to be fast tracked at the VARO in order to expedite mental health care and prevent unnecessary billing for Veterans. Mr. Murphy has been recognized for his dedicated service at local, state and national levels. Mr. Murphy serves as a board member for the Veterans Coalition of the Crystal Coast and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.