Licensed to practice in Virginia and accepts 11 insurances. Specializes in Chronic Illness, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 9 more.
(she/her)
Hi- I’m Heather! I’m a licensed clinical social worker offering telehealth therapy in the state of Virginia. One of my greatest professional passions is introducing clients to EMDR therapy! I am an EMDR trained therapist working toward obtaining EMDR certification and am actively accepting new clients who are interested in exploring EMDR. If you’ve tried talk therapy before and found that you’ve hit a wall, you’re not alone. Talk therapy may help us gain new insights into our patterns of behavior or relationship dynamics, but we often still have trouble changing the way we respond to particular triggers. Despite years of talk therapy, many of us find that there is still an unbridgeable gap between what our rational thinking brain knows and our felt sense of truth. Do you cognitively believe that you are not a bad/unworthy/unloved person but deep in your body you cannot shake the sense that these core beliefs are true? EMDR can help resolve this disconnect. Talk therapy work is done in the left hemisphere of the brain (this is the part of the brain where logical, rational thought occurs). But trauma is stored in the RIGHT hemisphere of the brain and the limbic system. Language does not easily address memories or beliefs stored in this part of the body and you may stay stuck living with maladaptive core beliefs and reliving traumatic memories until you can incorporate your RIGHT side of your brain in therapy. EMDR is one way of doing this. EMDR operates under the theory that the brain has a natural system in place to move toward adaptive resolution. Trauma blocks this system preventing us from fully processing our memories. EMDR reactivates this system, allowing our brain to fully integrate trauma so we can be free to live life on our own terms.
Prior to our first session I will take time to review your intake paperwork to get an idea of who you are. While intake paperwork is helpful, hearing you tell your story helps me get a much better understanding of who you are and how I can support you. During our first session I'll guide you through sharing as much of your story as you're comfortable sharing while we get to know one another. I'll ask questions to learn more about why you're seeking therapy at this time and work with you to identify goals for our work together. I also encourage clients to take time to reflect on how they feel they connect with me as a potential therapist. Having a good connection with your therapist (what therapists refer to as a therapeutic alliance) is one of the most important factors in your success in therapy! Having a good therapeutic alliance means we trust and respect one another. If that foundation is there, you will feel comfortable being vulnerable when needed, trying new strategies, and telling me what's working (and not working!) for you. Without a strong alliance, progress in therapy is incredibly challenge. So, if we meet for a session or two and you find I'm not the right fit for you, please feel free to continue looking for a therapist you have a better connection with!
I strive to offer my clients a safe, comfortable space to let down their guard and finally explore the issues that have been preventing them from building the life and relationships they want. I am gentle, empathetic, and compassionate while also being directive and challenging when I notice that my clients are getting in their own way. Folks often tell me I am authentic, a good listener, and gentle. I am also a curious and driven person and place high expectations on myself as a provider. This means I am continually learning about better ways to support my clients through reading, consultation, and attending trainings so I can offer evidence based support.
My passion and niche lie in supporting individuals who are open to EMDR therapy! While I have spent years engaging folks in traditional talk therapy modalities and seen some folks make big strides, I see the biggest changes when people are receptive to using EMDR. If you find yourself stuck in therapy and not sure how to get forward momentum, let's talk and see if EMDR might be a good fit for you! If you find that you are overwhelmed by negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself there is more available to you than just talk thearpy- we can use EMDR to rewire your brain into more helpful neural pathways.
Other specialties
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I often incorporate the principles of ACT in my work with clients, especially mindfulness and cognitive de-fusion. I enjoy using an ACT workbook in conjunction with discussing its concepts in sessions when clients are open to this.
EMDR
One of my greatest professional passions is introducing clients to EMDR therapy! I am an EMDR trained therapist working toward obtaining EMDR certification and am actively accepting new clients who are interested in exploring EMDR. If you’ve tried talk therapy before and found that you’ve hit a wall, you’re not alone. Talk therapy may help us gain new insights into our patterns of behavior or relationship dynamics, but we often still have trouble changing the way we respond to particular triggers. Despite years of talk therapy, many of us find that there is still an unbridgeable gap between what our rational thinking brain knows and our felt sense of truth. Do you cognitively believe that you are not a bad/unworthy/unloved person but deep in your body you cannot shake the sense that these core beliefs are true? EMDR can help resolve this disconnect. Talk therapy work is done in the left hemisphere of the brain (this is the part of the brain where logical, rational thought occurs). But trauma is stored in the RIGHT hemisphere of the brain and the limbic system. Language does not easily address memories or beliefs stored in this part of the body and you may stay stuck living with maladaptive core beliefs and reliving traumatic memories until you can incorporate your RIGHT side of your brain in therapy. EMDR is one way of doing this. EMDR operates under the theory that the brain has a natural system in place to move toward adaptive resolution. Trauma blocks this system preventing us from fully processing our memories. EMDR reactivates this system, allowing our brain to fully integrate trauma so we can be free to live life on our own terms.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a core part of my practice and is interwoven throughout sessions. I help clients begin to recognize how their automatic negative thoughts about themselves and the world may be impacting their feelings and actions. Once clients begin to recognize these pattern they are more equipped to take steps toward making changes in the way they think and feel. These changes in cognition can lead to transformation in our self-concept and how we interact with others.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I enjoy incorporating aspects of DBT skills training (mindfulness, emotion regulation, frustration tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness) into the work I do with clients. I encourage clients to maintain a daily diary card between sessions to build self monitoring skills and implement the skills we develop in session.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is another tool I frequently use in session with clients. MI can be used to help clients build commitment in their desire to change a behavior and increase their confidence in their ability to make this change.