LPC, 20 years of experience
Hello! My name is Heather Richards and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. My undergraduate studies were in psychology and elementary education from California University of Pennsylvania. I obtained my master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. I have worked in the mental health field for the past 20 years. My background is in working with a wide range of individuals from ages 3 to 90 years of age with a variety of diagnosis. My passion is in working with individuals dealing with trauma or grief and loss. I am a compassionate, caring, and empathetic person who feels that counseling can be a challenging yet rewarding experience.
During the first question, I will ask questions of you and also allow time for you to ask any questions that you may have in regards to your therapy journey. We will discuss what has led you to therapy and your goals that you hope to achieve. I will review any necessary paperwork that you have completed. This session will be to build rapport and ensure that I am a good fit for you.
I have over 20 years of experience working in the mental health profession. I have worked with children through older adulthood. My clients have reported positive outcomes when working with me. I allow clients to help guide their therapy and understand that it takes time to build trust with a therapist, especially when it comes to personal issues. I am open minded and want the client to feel comfortable when meeting with me.
My counseling approach is that of understanding that each person has a story that encompasses their own struggles. I have worked with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, bi-polar, post traumatic stress disorder, autism, grief, family issues, stage of life issues, and more. My therapeutic techniques include trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, reality based therapy, and person centered approaches. I meet each client where they are at in their therapy journey and am looking forward to helping you along the way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is utilized to help clients identify goals to guide their therapy journey. CBT is a form of talk therapy that helps to manage mental health by changing unhealthy thought processes. This helps clients to build a more positive outcome based way of thinking.
I take a compassion focused approach to counseling. Each client that I meet with deserves to have someone who is a good listener and attentive to their needs and concerns. Entering into therapy can be a difficult journey for some and using compassion and empathy, I hope to make the process much easier for the client.
Grief therapy is an area that is near and dear to me. Moving through the grief process can be a painful journey. I have worked with several clients in many stages of grief and know how this area is a very sensitive topic. I have also led grief groups in my area to help those with new and ongoing grief, process where they are at and take steps to healing.
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have worked many years with those facing many types of trauma in their life. I understand that trauma has a different meaning to each individual and approach therapy in a trauma informed manner.
I understand that one's faith can play a vital role in their life and their treatment. I utilize the client's faith as a foundation for their treatment and help build on it. For those who do not identify a specific faith, no worries, I do not push religion on others and meet the client where they are at.