- Person-centered
- Trauma informed
- Goal focused
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 as a practicing therapist. She focuses on helping people manage anxiety, depression, grief, mood concerns, and the effects of trauma. Her style is direct and respectful, aimed at making therapy feel practical and approachable.
She takes a person-centered approach and works with each person as an individual. Heather listens first, then helps clients set clear, realistic goals they actually want to pursue. She uses a mix of techniques that are chosen to match what each person needs in the moment.
Common concerns she addresses include stress, relationships, parenting strain, career pressure, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. She also offers focused support around adoption and foster care issues and related attachment or abandonment concerns. Cases involving chronic illness, caregiver stress, and bereavement are part of her background as well.
Heather draws on practical methods such as cognitive behavioral strategies, acceptance and commitment ideas, motivational interviewing, and skills from dialectical approaches when useful. Sessions emphasize skills clients can apply between appointments to manage strong emotions and make steady progress.
People who want a collaborative, down-to-earth therapist may connect well with her. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to the booking process provided on the site.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce distress and improve functioning. It often helps with anxiety, mood problems, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's own perspective, using listening and gentle reflection so the client can find their own solutions and build confidence.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Heather will discuss options and try methods that fit a person's goals and preferences, adjusting as progress is made. This is a collaborative process where techniques are chosen together rather than imposed.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow quick check-ins when schedules are tight. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be helpful for brief updates, and video sessions let the therapist and client use visual cues during skills practice. Ask about available formats when you start the matching process so you can pick what works best for your routine.
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 concerns can Heather help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting strain, relationship and communication problems, ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and related issues such as compassion fatigue and caregiver stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is person-centered and collaborative, focusing on listening first and then setting doable goals together. Sessions mix practical skills with reflective conversation.
How much experience does she have?
Heather brings 20 years in human services and over a decade working as a licensed therapist in clinical settings.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds the LCSW-C credential in Maryland and practices from that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Scheduling follows the site booking flow and the therapist's availability.
How do I get started with therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.