What’s it like to be in therapy with Heather?

Have you tried therapy with other therapists, but didn’t feel like you “fit in” in at other practices?
I pride myself on making my therapy space a space where misfits, fit! Maybe you’re non-religious in a largely religious community? Or the opposite — looking for a therapist who can hold space for your unique spiritual identity? Maybe you’d like to feel the freedom to swear like a sailor in your sessions as a way of expressing yourself authentically? Maybe you’d feel most comfy with a therapist who appreciates your unique way of expressing yourself through your appearance, or your ever-changing hair and your new piercing or tattoo? If any of these sound like you, I feel connected to you already!

I’m also a member of the LGBTQIAP+ community, and I love creating an affirming space for my Queer siblings. I have worked with over 70 Transgender clients and helped with steps for both social and medical transition, including WPATH letters to start hormones or access gender affirming surgeries.

Have you perhaps left therapy sessions feeling relieved that someone listened and cared about your problems, but didn’t feel like the bigger picture in your life was changing in a meaningful way?
My style of therapy helps you identify bigger patterns and the roots of your challenges, and then helps you change the way you think and act, so that life can really start to change for you. I believe that most people do not need life-long therapy to stay mentally well…I believe that therapy can and should help you change what you need to in order to spread your wings and leave the “therapy nest.” And then, you can connect again later if you hit a bump in the road and need another round of therapy! Also, everything I do in therapy is collaborative with my clients — that means I will always get your input and respect your boundaries about what you do and don’t want to work on. I won’t ever force you to talk about or change something that doesn’t fit your goals.

Do you honestly kinda dread the idea of going to therapy, but also think it’s probably a good idea for you?
I totally get it. I have been you before. Asking for help is hard. Changing things in your life can be even harder. If you need a therapist to be super patient with you, you got it. If you need plenty of time to build trust and feel comfortable in therapy, no problem. If you need someone open to sharing about their own lived experience and mental health journey at times, I’m often happy to share my personal perspectives. And especially if you need help learning to be kinder and more gentler with yourself, you will be in excellent hands.

A few things to know about Heather!
Labeling my identity has been a little tricky for me because I only really got to explore it in the last 10 years! The labels that feel like the best fit for me are asexual, panromanic/alterous, and cisgender (she/her pronouns). Being an 80’s kid, these words didn’t even exist as I was growing up (not to mention that these identities were largely erased in our culture then, too!)

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my spouse, our dog, and our four cats and riding my e-scooter around town. I love reading adolescent and young adult literature! I try to re-read a few banned books each year, too. I love to travel anywhere and everywhere I can to expand my understanding of the world and the beautiful people who live in it. Fiber arts/crafts are my jam, including sewing and hand-weaving. I also dabble in collage. I collect t-shirts and quirky, funky earrings. When I need to just have a day of taking it easy, you’ll find me binging classic game shows from the 70’s and 80’s, The X-Files, or true crime documentaries.

I live with several disabling conditions that impact my life in varying ways from day to day — rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, vestibular dysfunction, asthma, and Auditory Processing Disorder. I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, as well, and I’m learning to harness the superpowers that come with being neurodivergent!

I proudly serve as the Resource & Community Coordinator for the Rose Dynasty Center. I’m also a volunteer for Kathleen High School, serving on their library media committee for the past several years.