About

Are you wondering if I can really help you?

And if you work with me, what can you expect?

No one wants to invest their time or money on that first therapy session, only to walk out and say "nah, not what I was looking for." It makes sense to check me out!

Here are a few things to know about me and my therapy style:

1. I really love this work.

I love coming into work, getting to know my clients, and having a part in someone's healing! I've seen people experience real, meaningful change in their lives. It is so rewarding! This is my passion, and I am grateful to be able to do it!

2. I can be pretty tough

Let's be honest: therapy isn't cheap. Its an investment in you. If you're going to invest the time and money and all your emotional resources, I'm not going to sit back and just ask a few questions, and respond with "mm hmmm…" or "uh-huh". I'm pretty direct, and I don't beat around the bush. You set the goals, and I'm on your team, which sometimes means I'll tell you what I think you need to hear to get you to those goals, even if it might be tough to hear. But know that if I tell you something tough to hear, I'm doing it because I really care and want you to get everything you want out of life.

3. I Really Do Care

I may be tough, but I also believe all human beings have inherent value, and need love and connection. But not all of us grow up in systems that treat is that way. We all make mistakes, bad choices and hurt ourselves and others. Our choices have consequences (positive and negative) and facing them sometimes sucks. You can expect that I'm going to walk through the tough stuff with you from a place of compassion (and I'll help you cultivate compassion for yourself and others if needed). Often times, the outward behaviors we do that look pretty offensive actually come from old protective strategies that were once helpful to keep us safe. I try to keep that in mind as I'm working with my clients.

And one of my hopes for all people, is to be able to see and treat yourself with love, kindness and respect. If we can accept ourselves, with all our imperfections, then we have a better chance of tapping into the motivation to change (because beating ourselves up doesn't lead to sustained motivation).

4. I'm Real

Some people are naturally reserved, contained, quiet, and feel like peaceful still water. I know some people like that, and they are really calming to be around. That's not really how I am most of the time. I've actually worked pretty hard to cultivate the ability to be like still water when I need to be, but I'm also pretty expressive and energetic. The healing process has a lot of different aspects to it. Sometimes you need to let tears flow, but sometimes you may need to laugh too. Sometimes you might need a little sideways look that says "do you really believe what you just said?" And sometimes I might burst into celebration and half jump out of my seat when you tell me about a win in your journey. I'm really in it with you! I tailor my style and approach and my "volume" to what you need in each session. Being a therapist is a mix of science and art. For the most part, I hope you always feel that I'm a real human being right there with you.

5. I Want to Know YOUR Values and Priorities

I want to work within your value system - help you determine what matters to YOU. That means you may have to educate me about some parts of your life. But the learning is a discovery process for us both. The discovery process is a real-life way to practice vulnerability, and the outcome will help you have clarity when you're facing tough decisions. Its like having a compass - the journey may still be long, and difficult at times, but you'll have confidence that you know what direction to walk.

Also, I work hard to hold an open, non-judgmental stance toward to the values and beliefs of my clients. For example: If your religion is a source of strength or comfort or guidance, I want to understand and help you use that resource. And if religion has been used to harm you, I can walk along side you with openness to explore and heal that wound.

6. A Few Last Things About Me

I'm a woman, a wife, a daughter, a mom, a friend, a lover of nature and music and sports. I am compassionate, emotional, spiritual and a thinker. I am quick witted and love symbolism and metaphor. I am silly and weird. I love to learn (but I don't love to read). I love to connect deeply with people and I get over-stimulated sometimes and just want it to be quiet (I have 3 kids, so its not quiet often in my house). I need good food and quality sleep or I'm very quickly irritable and impatient. I'm a whole bunch of stuff, and I'm pretty sure you are too. I look forward to getting to know you!

I earned my bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge in 2003, attended a master's program at Arizona State University from 2004-2006 in the department of Family and Human Development before transferring to University of Phoenix where I completed my Master's Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy in 2009. I did my internship at Psychological Counseling Services (PCS) in Scottsdale AZ, before returning to PCS in 2011. In March of 2020 I am launching my own private practice in Chandler, AZ.

I consider my primary orientation to be a Family Systems approach, with an attachment focus. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) am a Specialist in Problematic Sexual Behavior (S-PSB). I work with teens and adults in individual, couples and family therapy.

You can find out more about EMDR Here: https://www.emdria.org

You can find out more about EFT here: https://iceeft.com

You can find out more about Problematic Sexual Behavior here: https://www.sash.net

Contact Today



If you're ready to schedule, you can do that directly through my client portal here:

Schedule Here

You may also email me at Amy@AmyHeslerCounseling.com

2350 W Ray Rd, Suite 2
Chandler, AZ 85224