- Thoughts and habits
- Person-centered
- Practical skills
About Heather
Heather McQuay is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) practicing in Maryland with more than 20 years in human services and over a decade as a licensed therapist. She has worked with people coping with anxiety, depression, grief, mood concerns, and the effects of trauma from childhood and adulthood. Heather focuses on helping clients notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and everyday habits that get in the way of daily life.
Heather keeps sessions person-centered and straightforward. She listens first, then helps clients set goals that matter to them. Treatment plans are practical and adjusted as needs change. She mixes therapy tools rather than following a single roadmap.
Her work often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify thought patterns that reinforce worry or low mood. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas can help people act in line with their values even when feelings are difficult. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are priorities.
Heather also draws on motivational interviewing and client-centered methods to support readiness for change. That means the pace and focus depend on each person’s goals. Sessions typically include skills practice, problem-solving, and reflective talking to build useful habits.
People who prefer a direct, collaborative style tend to do well with her approach. Heather aims to make therapy a practical part of everyday life, helping clients take small steps that add up to lasting shifts.
Heather keeps sessions person-centered and straightforward. She listens first, then helps clients set goals that matter to them. Treatment plans are practical and adjusted as needs change. She mixes therapy tools rather than following a single roadmap.
Her work often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify thought patterns that reinforce worry or low mood. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas can help people act in line with their values even when feelings are difficult. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are priorities.
Heather also draws on motivational interviewing and client-centered methods to support readiness for change. That means the pace and focus depend on each person’s goals. Sessions typically include skills practice, problem-solving, and reflective talking to build useful habits.
People who prefer a direct, collaborative style tend to do well with her approach. Heather aims to make therapy a practical part of everyday life, helping clients take small steps that add up to lasting shifts.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Maryland
Languages
English
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Heather uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and change thought patterns and small behaviors that keep problems going; this approach is practical for anxiety, low mood, and everyday habit change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is used to help clients clarify values and take meaningful actions even when difficult feelings are present. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills are offered when emotion regulation, distress tolerance, or strong reactions interfere with daily life.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Heather works collaboratively to see which methods match a person’s goals and preferences. She will discuss what to try first and adjust the plan as progress is made or goals shift.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example a shorter check-in during a work break, or avoiding travel time to an office. It also lets people practice skills in the settings where they happen, and makes consistent scheduling simpler for many clients.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Heather help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, mood disorders, ADHD, and related concerns such as parenting strain, caregiver stress, and body image issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centered and collaborative, combining practical skills, goal setting, and reflective conversation to change thoughts and everyday habits.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Heather has over 20 years in human services and more than a decade working as a licensed therapist.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland and sees clients based in that region.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What does therapy cost and how are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Heather?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.