Heather McMasters-Reynolds
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized education and training in trauma-informed care. I believe most human suffering stems from the stress and trauma of existing within oppressive societal systems that seek to disconnect us from ourselves and others. I am deeply committed to examining, dismantling, and providing space to heal from these destructive systems. The therapeutic relationship should offer a safe environment to process chronic stress and trauma, explore the survival strategies you have developed, and build new skills that serve your present life. I am particularly interested in the mind-body connection—specifically regarding chronic stress and the nervous system—and I continually integrate somatic practices into my work with clients. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand how crucial it can be to find a therapist who understands the unique experience of navigating a heteronormative world. I have experience working in gender-affirming and HIV+ healthcare settings with trans, non-binary, gay, lesbian, and queer clients. I am dedicated to providing intersectional care across race, class, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, disability status, and all other identities. This means I will always consider how your various identities interact and influence how you move through and are treated in this world. If you are interested in a free 15-minute phone consultation, please schedule your first session with at least a week's notice so that we have time to connect. I will reach out prior to the scheduled appointment. I offer sliding scale (for private-pay clients) and weekend time slots on an as-needed basis, which we can discuss during the phone consultation.
First session
After our first session, I hope you feel seen, understood, and hopeful. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, so I want to ensure we are a good fit to work together—as the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in successful therapy. Because we are just getting to know each other, our initial session may look a bit different from future ones. I will likely ask about different areas of your life to get a full picture of where you are coming from, what brings you to therapy, and what you hope to gain from the experience. I also encourage you to ask me any questions you have. Overall, my goal is to ease your worries so you feel fully supported as we begin this meaningful journey together.
Strengths
As a therapist, I believe your sessions should be individualized and dynamic, so I adapt my approach based on what you need at any given moment. Some days, you may need a soft space to vent, feel validated, and be seen. At other times, you might benefit from a structured skill-building intervention, or need to be compassionately challenged on patterns you struggle to recognize. Whatever the session calls for, I will always approach you with deep compassion—and perhaps a touch of dark humor if the vibe is right.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is looking to build a collaborative relationship with a therapist to discover how to live more authentically and intuitively. You might be feeling unfulfilled in your relationships, family dynamics, or career; exploring your sexuality or gender identity; or experiencing depression or anxiety. Perhaps you are struggling with past trauma that prevents you from fully engaging in your life today, or you feel isolated and want to build meaningful connections. You may be deconstructing the ways oppressive societal systems have impacted you and desire support while processing that—or you might simply feel unsure of who you authentically are and want space to figure that out.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an adaptable modality that focuses on identifying what matters most to you and building the skills needed to live a life aligned with those values. In practice, this means we will explore your thought patterns, expand your tolerance for challenging emotions so you do not get stuck in them, and develop tools to help you stay present through life's difficulties. For example, if you enter therapy wanting to feel less anxious, we will look at when your anxious thoughts arise, what they are, and how you typically respond to them. From there, we will practice strategies to slow down those thoughts so they no longer hook you or pull you into an anxiety spiral. When appropriate, we may also explore how anxiety manifests physically in your body, strengthening your ability to tolerate those sensations without getting swept up in negative thoughts. Ultimately, our goal is to decrease your anxious distress and expand your capacity to engage meaningfully in your life.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on how underlying beliefs shape your present life, exploring how your early experiences have influenced the way you view yourself, others, and the world. This approach involves examining unconscious thoughts and beliefs to uncover how they might be interfering with your day-to-day reality. We will also look at the ways you protect yourself from distress—something we all do—and explore how those defense mechanisms, while once helpful, might now be creating more challenges than solutions.
Attachment-based
Attachment-based therapy is closely aligned with psychodynamic therapy, as both recognize that the ways you perceive yourself and others are deeply rooted in early childhood experiences with caregivers. These early interactions shape an implicit blueprint for how your mind and body respond to relationships in adulthood. Because these blueprints can be supportive, challenging, or a mix of both, attachment-based therapy aims to cultivate a healing relationship in session—allowing you to update that blueprint and consciously relate to yourself and others in a kinder, more fulfilling way.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- PennsylvaniaLicense PS020579