Heather Murphy, LCSW

Heather Murphy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings a compassionate, practical approach to therapy. She earned a Master of Social Work from Simmons College in 2015 and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy from Emmanuel College in 2008. Over 13 years of professional practice, she has worked across a variety of mental health care settings and has supported adolescents, adults, and families through a wide range of life challenges.

Her therapeutic style is warm and interactive, combining kindness, thoughtful humor, creativity, and clear clinical perspective. Grounded in psychotherapy and client-centered therapy through a humanistic lens, she emphasizes trust and the uniqueness of each person she meets. Heather aims to help people reconnect with their authentic selves and build on their strengths and capabilities.

She works collaboratively to help clients develop practical skills and tools for navigating stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and body image matters, career transitions, parenting challenges, and other life changes. Heather welcomes questions and approaches each therapeutic relationship as a partnership in support of growth and resilience.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Heather integrates approaches that balance acceptance, skills, and a person-focused relationship. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them while clarifying values and committing to meaningful action - it can help with anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive, empathetic therapeutic relationship where the client leads the pace and goals of work - it is effective for building self-esteem, processing grief, and exploring identity. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering concrete strategies for symptoms like depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Heather works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy allows clients to engage by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules and daily life. These options provide flexibility in how and when to meet a therapist, helping maintain progress even when routines or responsibilities change.