LP, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Dr. Angela Heiligenthal. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over twenty years of experience. I work with adults who have experienced trauma and/or are in the midst of significant life transitions. Therapy can be a safe and non-judgmental space to open up, reflect, and grow. Each session is tailored to meet your unique needs. My approach is collaborative and culturally responsive, recognizing that you are the expert on your own life. Together, we will work towards achieving your goals. I will provide that safe space to help you overcome pain, empower yourself, and cultivate hope. Therapy can be a journey of healing and growth, and I would feel privileged to walk beside you on that journey.
In our first session, I will focus on getting to know you and learning more about your background, your current concerns, and goals for treatment. I will share my approach to therapy in more detail and we will discuss confidentiality and other practical matters. The therapy relationship is crucial to making progress so this will be the first chance to get to know me, my style and my personality and to make sure you feel comfortable and connected. To prepare, think about what you would like to work on in treatment, what changes you would like to see for yourself and your life, and think about what questions you would like to ask me.
I use a combined multicultural feminist and interpersonal approach. I foster an egalitarian relationship where your voice is valued and heard. I work to recognize and respect the diverse and unique cultural and interpersonal backgrounds and dynamics that have influenced your life, help empower you to recognize how these factors impact your emotional well-being and help you develop skills to navigate future challenges more effectively.
Are you looking for a safe place to learn to cope with your past and work towards a brighter future? Are you struggling in your day-to-day life but making it work because you have no other choice? Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and exhausted from everything that you have to manage. You have been through a lot in your life and people tell you that you are strong, but you don’t always feel that way. When they tell you how strong you are, it can feel like you are being dismissed and quietly you wonder, “Is this how it’s going to be from now on?” There is strength in vulnerability and honesty, and asking for help is a courageous step.
My practice includes helping clients develop mindfulness. Mindfulness-based techniques are primarily used to address the body's sympathetic nervous system response. This can help us manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional responses by promoting awareness of the present moment. By focusing on the here and now, mindfulness practices can reduce the physiological effects of stress and improve overall well-being. Mindfulness encourages us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can lead to better emotional regulation, as we learn to respond to stressors in a more balanced and thoughtful manner. By paying attention to the present moment, we can also become more aware of our stress triggers and patterns. This self-awareness can help us develop healthier coping strategies and make more informed decisions about how to manage stress.
I use Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients examine the meaning they assign to their traumatic experiences, help them develop a more balanced perspective, and integrate their experiences into their overall life narrative.