Meet Heather, AMFT
Contact Me
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with Virginia Chavez Counseling & Associates, providing in-person sessions in Santa Clarita Valley and telehealth services throughout California.
I want you to truly hear this:
Healing and growth happen when we allow ourselves to be supported.
About Me
My goal as a therapist is to provide a supportive space where you can navigate life’s challenges with greater ease, clarity, and confidence. Whether you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or worn down by daily demands, therapy offers a safe place to be yourself, feel heard, and begin building new pathways toward healing and growth.
As a mother of two young adults who experience the world differently, and one neurotypical teen, I have firsthand insight into the joys and complexities of navigating both individual needs and family dynamics. This personal journey has deeply influenced my work and strengthened my empathy for children, teens, and adults who may feel misunderstood or weighed down by anxiety, depression, or identity concerns.
I specialize in supporting the neurodivergent population, as well as those struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, or transitions across the lifespan. I believe every person’s story matters, and I’m committed to honoring culture, identity, and lived experiences as essential parts of the healing process.
Whether you are coming to therapy as an individual, a couple, or a family, I will meet you where you are and walk alongside you as you develop resilience, deeper connections, and a greater sense of self.
How I work
My therapeutic method is focused on the Client Centered Approach.
My therapeutic method is grounded in a client-centered approach, which means I believe you are the expert of your own story. I see my role as creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where your voice, values, and lived experiences are honored. I am here to affirm, offer compassion, and gently guide you as you navigate complicated aspects of life, such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or identity concerns.
I also draw from a humanistic and psychodynamic perspective. From a humanistic lens, I focus on your strengths and potential for growth, helping you build deeper self-understanding and self-acceptance. From a psychodynamic perspective, I help you explore patterns, emotions, and past experiences that may still shape how you feel and relate to others today. Together, these approaches allow us to work not only on present challenges but also on the underlying roots of those challenges, fostering long-lasting change and growth.
Therapy with …
01 Children
When working with children in therapy, I use engaging and developmentally appropriate approaches such as play-based and art-based methods. These creative tools allow children to express themselves in ways that feel natural and safe. Alongside these, I also integrate evidence-based techniques, including cognitive behavioral strategies, to help children build coping skills, manage emotions, and develop healthier ways of thinking and responding
02 teens
When working with teens in therapy, I create a supportive space where they feel heard and understood. I incorporate creative approaches such as art, journaling, and open dialogue to help them process emotions and express themselves in ways that feel authentic. Together, we work on building self-awareness, developing coping tools, and finding healthier ways to navigate challenges, relationships, and daily stressors.
03 Adults
When working with adults in therapy, I provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space to explore life’s challenges. I draw on talk therapy, reflective practices, and creative approaches when helpful, to support personal growth and healing. Together, we focus on building insight, strengthening coping strategies, and fostering resilience so that clients can move through difficulties with greater clarity and confidence
04 Family and Couples
When working with families and couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and an attachment-based lens to help strengthen bonds and improve communication. My approach supports partners and family members in identifying patterns that create distance or conflict, while fostering emotional safety and deeper connection. Together, we work toward building healthier relationships grounded in trust, understanding, and secure attachment.
My background
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Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University Worldwide
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, #158039
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CAMFT
SFV-CAMFT
