- Guilt and shame focus
- CBT and DBT methods
- Mindfulness practice
About Heather
Heather Hale is a Michigan-licensed social worker, LMSW, with 18 years of clinical experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and relationship problems. She works with adults who are coping with life changes, grief, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting strain, self-esteem struggles, ADHD, and intimacy-related issues.
Heather begins by listening to each person's story and recognizing strengths they already have. In sessions she aims to make space for honest talk about shame, guilt, and hard choices. Conversations are practical and paced to what the person can handle that week.
Her work draws on client-centered methods that keep the person's own goals central. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and DBT skills for emotional regulation when feelings are intense. Mindfulness practices are woven in to help people notice patterns without judgment.
Heather often helps people sort through relationship patterns and communication problems. She supports parents managing stress, caregivers balancing responsibilities, and people confronting body image, aging, or chronic illness concerns. Her background includes a range of settings that inform a steady, pragmatic approach.
Sessions tend to focus on clear steps people can try between meetings. Heather encourages gradual change rather than rushing to fix everything at once. She advises choosing options that fit daily life and revisiting what works as needs shift over time.
How Heather blends approaches and online work
Heather uses client-centered therapy to center each person's priorities. That means sessions start with listening to what matters most and building goals from the client's own experience.She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT can help when guilt or shame shows up as repetitive negative thinking by introducing practical experiments to test those thoughts.
Dialectical behavior therapy is another tool she uses for strong emotions. DBT offers skills for tolerating distress, managing intense feelings, and improving communication when relationships are strained.
Finding the right mix of these approaches is part of the work. Heather collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time for appointments. Talk with Heather about what session rhythm and practical arrangements will best suit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address related to guilt or shame?
She works with shame and guilt linked to relationships, past trauma, parenting, body image, and choices people regret.
How would she approach guilt in sessions?
She uses client-centered listening, then practical CBT and DBT tools to name thoughts, test beliefs, and learn different responses.
How much experience does this clinician have working with these issues?
She has 18 years of professional experience in settings that included stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an LMSW and is licensed in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Do international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.