- Person-centered care
- Practical strategies
- Trauma-informed approach
About Heather
Heather McQuay is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) based in Maryland with two decades in human services and more than ten years practicing as a licensed therapist. She focuses on practical support for people coping with anxiety, depression, grief, and mood challenges. Heather also works with those who have experienced trauma and helps people handle life changes and stress.
Her sessions are person-centered and collaborative. She listens first, then helps set clear, achievable goals that match what each person wants to change. Heather draws on cognitive behavioral techniques and strength-based strategies to break problems into manageable steps.
She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice thoughts without getting stuck in them. Motivational interviewing appears in her work when clients are deciding on next steps or trying to change habits. Dialectical behavior approaches add skills for emotion regulation when feelings run high.
Heather tailors her work to each person’s pace and priorities. She aims for straightforward tools people can use between sessions. Sessions include room to talk through past hurts and to practice small changes that build confidence.
People often come for help with parenting strain, relationship and communication problems, career stress, caregiving burnout, or coping after a disaster. Heather supports people dealing with ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and chronic illness issues as part of broader life work.
If someone wants to begin, Heather invites them to start with a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to her availability. The focus is on steady progress and practical next steps.
How Heather uses therapy approaches online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate actions. It focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small, value-driven steps even when emotions are uncomfortable, which can help with anxiety, depression, and coping after trauma.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It breaks problems into concrete steps, teaches skills to test unhelpful thoughts, and uses simple exercises to reduce symptoms over time. This approach is often used for anxiety, mood concerns, and stress management.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Heather collaborates with each person to see which methods fit their goals and daily life. Together they try techniques, check what helps, and adjust the plan to match changing needs.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some people prefer to use video for skill practice, while others choose audio or text-based check-ins depending on what suits their routine and energy level. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework for remote sessions so progress continues between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Heather help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, parenting strain, relationship and communication problems, career concerns, and coping after disasters among other issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Heather takes a person-centered, collaborative approach focused on listening, setting goals together, and using practical strategies people can apply between sessions.
How long has she been practicing?
She brings 20 years of experience in human services and more than a decade working as a licensed therapist.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what about cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.