Dr. Keith Dempsey
Counseling
& Consulting
Professional, Effective, & Culturally Sensitive Services
Dr. Keith Dempsey
Dr. Keith Dempsey Counseling & Consulting
Welcome to Keith Dempsey Counseling & Consulting. I invite you to explore the rest of this website and learn more about our counseling, training, and speaking services.
Dr. Keith Dempsey is a multifaceted professional offering transformational services as a national speaker, trainer, licensed therapist, and experienced emcee. With more than 20 years of experience in counseling and human development, Dr. Dempsey brings depth, insight, and cultural sensitivity to every engagement. As an award-winning speaker, he delivers dynamic, thought-provoking keynotes that center mental wellness, resilience, leadership, and personal passion, guiding individuals and teams to unlock untapped potential and embrace sustainable growth.
Intentional & Personal
My Services
Trainer
Dr. Keith Dempsey is a skilled trainer specializing in organizational culture, psychological safety, and team development. As a retired Professor and Associate Dean, he delivers engaging learning experiences that help organizations strengthen trust, collaboration, and performance through culturally responsive, evidence-based practice.
Emcee
Dr. Dempsey serves as a professional emcee for conferences, community events, and organizational gatherings, where his engaging presence and thoughtful facilitation elevate program impact and audience connection. He brings authenticity, professionalism, and a commitment to inclusive dialogue to every stage he leads.
Speaker
Dr. Keith Dempsey is an award-winning national speaker and trainer with expertise in the areas of mental wellness, finding personal passion, and highly effective teams. As a retired Professor and Associate Dean, he encapsulates the desire to enlighten others to recognize personal greatness and lean into untapped potential.
serving a purpose
About
Keith Dempsey has been an advocate in the helping profession for over 20+ years. He has served as a therapist and clinical social worker in the Portland Community. He has a passion for helping individuals, couples and families reach their full potential through the power of counseling. He earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Oregon State University. His doctoral studies focused on coping strategies for Black men. He has conducted national presentations and trainings regarding issues of diversity, racial trauma, and the plight of Black people. Dr. Dempsey is the past President of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). He is formerly the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University. He is the first African American to receive tenure at this institution. His volunteer work includes MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Self Enhancement Inc., Salvation Army, Kappa League Youth Program and the Perspective Gentleman’s Program.
Clients & Partners
In The Community
Community & Alumni Impact
Beginning The Conversation
Talk About It
Talk About It - Mental Health
Celebrating BHM
OSU Black Liberation
Central Catholic
Mental Health is a Human Experience
Growing a Rewarding Career
By Renée Bacher – American Counseling Associaiton
Dempsey started his career working at a nonprofit, then earned his PhD. For 15 years, he taught counseling as a professor at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, moving up through the ranks to associate dean of the School of Counseling. He also maintained a small private practice — something that was expected of all professors.
As his practice grew, Dempsey decided to leave teaching in 2020 and concentrate on his business. As a Black man, he says he realized that the further he climbed the ranks in the university, the further he would be getting from his community, which especially needs Black male counselors. “I made the decision to retire from academia and go with my community,” he says. “And I haven’t looked back.”
