Individual Therapy
Feel Supported
Dr. Astrid Heathcote provides psychotherapy as a highly-trained, caring clinician with expertise in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress management, and any mental health issues that you may be struggling with.
A Multidimensional Approach to Trauma Healing
Instead of a traditional "blank slate" environment, Dr. Heathcote’s approach offers a safe, collaborative space where clients are treated as the experts of their own lives. Her trauma treatment narrative weaves together evidence-based, well-researched methods:
Understanding Trauma as Survival: Dr. Heathcote views symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety not as signs of brokenness, but as the brain and nervous system's intelligent, protective attempts to survive past pain or overwhelming emotions.
For those who have been through a traumatic situation, the memories from that incident may lead to feelings of fear, and in trying to deal with that fear they may develop escape and avoidance behaviors — often unconsciously. Although traumatic events are often beyond one’s control, emotions like guilt or shame tend to arise in the aftermath of trauma.
These difficult emotions may be a sign that you’re experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition resulting from the experience of a traumatic event. Many who have been traumatized find it difficult to readjust, but treatment options like cognitive processing therapy can manage that adjustment in a healthy way.
What Is CPT Therapy?
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based therapy defined by its effectiveness at treating PTSD and other symptoms that follow traumatic events such as rape, abuse, natural disaster, accidents, or military combat. CPT therapy focuses on how a person reacts to or copes with trauma while trying to regain control of their life.
CPT therapy was designed to help people deal with trauma and its long-term implications. A traumatic event can change brain functioning and the way you think of yourself and of the world – these thoughts keep you from the happiness you experienced previously. CPT helps you find a new way to deal with these thoughts and emotions and equips you with the skills to both manage the effects of PTSD and confront trauma in a healthier manner.
Cognitive processing therapy was originally designed to treat PTSD in survivors of sexual assault, but it has also proven helpful in the treatment of military-related and other forms of trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): As a clinician trained at the EMDR Institute, Dr. Heathcote uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess emotional pain and traumatic memories. This allows clients to shift from negative, debilitating beliefs (e.g., "I am unlovable" or "It is my fault") to grounded, adaptive truths (e.g., "I am safe now" or "It is over").
Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Certified in CBT, Dr. Heathcote helps clients safely examine the link between dysfunctional thoughts, maladaptive behaviors, and traumatic imprints, dismantling the shame that often accompanies seeking help.
Mindfulness and Polyvagal Theory: To elevate the healing process, she incorporates mindfulness-based breathwork, meditation, and Polyvagal Theory—an approach focused on calming an overactive nervous system to restore a sense of safety and inner regulation.
Getting Started
If you are looking to confront past wounds and build long-lasting, meaningful change, Dr. Heathcote provides both in-person and online therapy sessions. You can learn more about her practice and which type of therapy may be most effective and helpful to your unique situation.
Groups for Mental Health Professionals:
Working in counseling/psychology/psychiatry or any medical field, exposes practitioners to psychological risks that can extend beyond typical workplace stress. Compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout, for example, all can occur when mental health professionals are exposed to and absorb their clients’ traumatic experiences, leading to side effects ranging from physical emotional exhaustion to experiencing symptoms that mirror those of the direct trauma survivors. The day-to-day stressful realities of counseling work can compound these challenges. Isolation can amplify the mental health risks inherent in counseling work. Professional guidance will provide both practical resources and emotional support. Virtual sessions only. This groups is filling up quickly, call now to reserve your spot.
Types of Therapy
My services Tailor the Latest Advances in Science to You
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Exposure Therapy for anxiety and/or phobias
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Mindfulness
During your initial phone consultation, you decide if my services are a good fit for your unique needs.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to get started.