Heather Marshall , LCSW

Heather Marshall is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 18 years of clinical experience supporting people through addiction, trauma, and major life transitions. She works with individuals facing substance use concerns, feelings of shame and guilt, struggles with forgiveness, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, helping them reconnect with purpose and meaning.

Drawing from a humanistic framework, Heather integrates restorative justice ideas and stoic principles to create a compassionate, strengths-based environment. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy - a structured approach that helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors - as well as motivational interviewing, which supports people who are ambivalent about change. Heather also uses cognitive processing therapy for PTSD when trauma-focused work is needed.

Her approach centers on partnering with each person to identify barriers and build practical tools for coping, self-compassion, and resilience. Heather aims to support clients in moving beyond isolation and toward clearer life purpose, with attention to issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, guilt, shame, and recovery from abuse. She emphasizes collaboration and tailored care to meet individual goals.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Flexible Online Care

Heather uses proven therapeutic methods to address addiction, trauma, and related challenges. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that helps people recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and daily stressors. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a trauma-focused therapy that supports clients in processing traumatic memories and reducing the impact of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Motivational interviewing is also part of Heather's toolkit - it helps people explore ambivalence about change and build internal motivation for recovery from substance use.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Heather works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions over time, combining techniques as appropriate to support progress.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place as video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or ongoing text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit care into a busy life, reduce travel time, and connect with licensed professionals from home or work while maintaining consistent support.