Heather Belts

Hi there! I specialize in working with neurodivergent adults and people who have experienced childhood adversity. Many of my clients have ADHD, autism, or high ACE (adverse childhood experiences) scores and understand their patterns intellectually, but need help creating change that feels safe and sustainable.

I work best with clients who are ready to take an honest look at how their past continues to shape their relationships, choices, and sense of self. Trauma work cannot be rushed, so I maintain a small caseload and move at a pace that gives each client’s nervous system time to adapt. I bring genuine compassion, curiosity, and humanity into the therapy room.

My approach is humanistic, trauma-informed, and grounded in unconditional positive regard. I often use a mix of IFS and CBT; I also feel that understanding one's attachment style can be very helpful tool for therapy. I believe people develop patterns for a reason. Rather than judging those patterns or trying to eliminate them as quickly as possible, we work to understand what they once protected you from, and whether they still serve you now.

With trauma, I take a deliberately slow approach so your nervous system has time to adjust as we create change. With ADHD and autism, I combine CBT with practical environmental adaptation. The goal is not to make you less neurodivergent, it's to understand how your brain works and build routines, expectations, and surroundings that work with you instead of against you.

Our first session is a chance to get to know one another without pressure to tell your entire story at once. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what you would like to change, and what has or has not been helpful in the past. I will also ask about your current life, strengths, support system, and the patterns you have begun to notice.

Most importantly, we will pay attention to whether working together feels like a good fit. You can expect warmth, curiosity, and directness, but you will not be pushed into difficult material before you are ready. We will begin by creating enough safety and trust for deeper work to happen over time.