LCSW, 11 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello. I am Heather, and I look forward to getting to know you. Hopefully the following will help you to get to know me a little better... I believe everyone has personal strengths and is capable of growth. I believe in creating a safe space and building a therapeutic relationship as the basis for positive change. I am passionate about partnering with people on their personalized goals, for mental and holistic health, to increase their intrapersonal wellness and to improve interpersonal dynamics.
Therapy is a journey. Starting in the 1st session, you are developing rapport with a provider to be sure the therapeutic relationship, setting, and methods are a good fit for you. I want to learn about you, and you can also ask me questions. We will discuss your current concerns, symptoms, background, strengths, resources, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. No worries, if there are topics that you are not ready to discuss, please share your boundaries. You control the pace of the conversation. Therapy is a safe space. Therapy is practicing self-awareness and expression. Therapy is for you.
My educational background is in psychology and social work. I have over a decade of experience providing clinical mental health therapy working with all ages of youth and adult individuals, as well as supporting parents, families, and couples. I am skilled in focusing on mood and anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, neurodiversity, self-image, relationship and family dynamics, grief and loss, trauma, and other life stressors and transitions. Incorporating various theoretical / therapeutic approaches, sessions may include many of the following methods: psychoeducation or bibliotherapy, Gestalt / Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy or Mind-Body Approach, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Adlerian Therapy, Relational Therapy. I have Trauma-Focused CBT Certification and have participated in trainings for the following techniques: Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method and Sound Relationship House, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, Written Exposure Therapy (WET). From Brief Solution-Focused or Supportive Therapy to more intensive therapies, like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Trauma-Informed Care, we will work together to identify your treatment goals and to develop tools within eclectic and integrative therapy sessions using a combination of approaches personalized to help you. If I see you on my schedule soon, I look forward to partnering with you in tailoring treatment approaches that will meet your needs and increase your mental and holistic health.
Welcome! Maybe this is your first time exploring therapy, maybe you have found therapy helpful throughout your life, or maybe you are somewhere in the middle. No matter where you are on your personal journey, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge how you have taken an important step towards bettering yourself today. If you can set aside time for wellness, I will partner with you to develop a personalized approach to meet your unique needs. Mainly I focus on a strengths-based approach, viewing a person within their environment, supporting you in developing self-awareness, fostering motivation, and building the tools you need for success towards your mental and holistic health goals. If you are ready to take the next step in your personal wellness journey, then I look forward to supporting you in processing and growing through any challenges in your life.
Eclectic Therapy is flexible and focuses on each person's unique needs. I utilize various treatment approaches depending on presenting problem(s), treatment goals, and client expectations and motivation. Using evidence-based or proven methods combined with a wide range of theoretical approaches, together we determine the best combination of therapeutic tools to help you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can improve functioning for people dealing with a range of concerns by focusing on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together we can learn about and find healthier ways to cope with symptoms and life stressors. In session and in between meetings, you may develop strategies for cognitive distancing, challenging and reframing thoughts, calming mind and body, improving emotional regulation, identifying what you can control, problem solving, and changing unhelpful behaviors.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy involves expanding self-awareness, curiosity and non-judgmental observation, compassion and self-acceptance. Together we can develop mindfulness practices, such as body scans or mindful breathing exercises, to increase awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations and to cope with stress more effectively. I can help you to learn and develop tools for a greater sense of well-being and resilience. to live more fully in the present moment.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based treatment to help children and adolescents recover after trauma. While highly effective at improving youth posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, a PTSD diagnosis is not required to receive this treatment as it also effectively addresses many other trauma impacts including affective (depressive / anxiety), cognitive, and behavioral concerns. In 8-25 sessions, divided between child and “green light” guardian, we work together on stabilization, trauma narration and processing, integration and consolidation. Intervention (PRACTICE) steps include: Psychoeducation about child trauma and trauma reminders; Parenting component including teaching parenting skills; Relaxation skills individualized to youth and parent; Affective modulation skills tailored to child, family, and culture; Cognitive coping: connecting thoughts, feelings and behaviors; Trauma narrative and processing; In vivo mastery of trauma reminders; Conjoint child-parent sessions; Enhancing safety and future developmental trajectory.