The way I see my role in counseling is walking alongside you, supporting you in meeting your goals and making the changes you want in your life. I can help you process through current and past situations and relationships, and can offer an outside, unbiased, and non-judgmental perspective on things. In addition, I can suggest new ways of thinking and behaving that may help you be better able to cope with negative emotions. You will set goals for what you would like me to help you with. During our sessions, I will follow your lead with what you would like to focus on and will also offer you new strategies.
My name is Heather and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. I have 20 years of experience in the mental health field and have worked with all ages from preschoolers to adults. I am married and have three active children (ages 10, 14, and 17) so I am aware of the stresses of parenting at different stages, and the chaos that comes with managing multiple school aged children and their activities.
I specialize in working with women who are adjusting to the challenges of motherhood, struggling with anxiety or depression, and/or coping with trauma. I take an integrative approach to therapy and pull from a variety of modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, trauma therapy, internal family systems therapy, and dialectal behavior therapy.
I know it can be challenging to start therapy or look for a new therapist, and I am looking forward to going on this journey with you.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
VA LPC 0701008900
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Heather Dumas. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Heather is exceptionally kind, understanding, and truly willing to listen. She is so creatively offered me genuine support and provided me with strategies that were manageable.
Written on Oct 01, 2022 after therapy with Heather for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, parenting issues, and self esteem
Heather is kind and listens well. I appreciate her open and understanding attitude as well as her adapting to my preferences for chat over video.
Written on Dec 23, 2021 after therapy with Heather for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, eating disorders, and parenting issues
Heather has drastically helped me in the short time I’ve been working with her.
Written on Jul 29, 2021 after therapy with Heather for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Heather is a wonderful therapist! She is kind and understanding. She has really helped me gain a new perspective on my anxiety and panic. I am so grateful to have found Heather and BetterHelp and would recommend it to anyone!
Written on May 22, 2021 after therapy with Heather for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, and self esteem
Love her so much :)
Written on May 02, 2021 after therapy with Heather for 2 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Heather has been great at helping me make progress on identifying my feelings and being more assertive. She asks questions that bring to light things about myself I knew but haven't been able to vocalize. She is easy to talk to and I always feel better after our sessions
Written on Feb 16, 2021 after therapy with Heather for 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues