Heather Shaver

Heather Shaver is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience helping people navigate major life changes and emotional challenges. She works with concerns such as stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, addictions, and self-esteem struggles. Heather emphasizes practical steps and clear communication so people leave sessions with something they can try right away.

Heather earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Early in her career she served as a victim advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, which shaped her approach to crisis work and trauma-related care. Her background also includes work in a juvenile justice residential substance abuse setting, hospice and home health care, and private practice.

She has experience supporting people through relationship and family challenges, eating and sleeping problems, career transitions, and coping with life changes. Heather often combines practical therapy methods with a focus on building a working relationship. She describes rapport and trust as the foundation for making progress.

Her style is direct and collaborative. Heather starts where the person is and helps set small, achievable goals. Sessions focus on real-world strategies, clearer communication, and managing symptoms so daily life becomes more manageable.

Heather currently works in Florida and uses her clinical experience to support chronically ill adults in program leadership roles alongside one-on-one care. She encourages people to take the first step and consider what they most want to change or understand about their situation.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online work

Heather commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. CBT helps people manage anxiety, depression, and stress by practicing concrete skills between sessions.

She also applies Mindfulness Therapy to help people notice their thoughts and bodily reactions without judgment. Mindfulness techniques can reduce reactivity and aid sleep, emotional regulation, and coping with chronic stress.

Heather aims to find the right fit collaboratively. She will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try approaches that match those needs, and adjust methods as progress is tracked. That way the work reflects what matters most to the client.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the session formats available before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow quicker check-ins between obligations, and support consistent weekly work without travel time. Different approaches lend themselves to different paces and activities, and Heather will help align the practical setup with therapeutic goals.