Heather Shotwell

Heather Shotwell is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Utah with 18 years of experience working with depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem concerns. She helps people who feel stuck after big life changes, parents coping with postpartum difficulties, caregivers under strain, and those dealing with grief and end-of-life issues.

Heather focuses on practical conversations about what is happening now. She talks through problems like communication breakdowns, social anxiety, isolation, and workplace stress. She also helps people in blended families sort out roles and expectations and supports exploration of life purpose when routine no longer fits.

Sessions aim to identify patterns that keep stress and low mood in place. Heather uses straightforward tools to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. She works with clients on setting small, realistic steps and building better ways of relating to others.

Her background includes long experience with hospice and end-of-life counseling as well as with postpartum mood concerns. That history informs how she helps people manage guilt, shame, and intense transitions. Heather often balances practical coping strategies with conversations about meaning and next steps.

People meet her for help untangling control issues, commitment worries, and feelings of emptiness. She encourages clear communication, realistic goal setting, and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

Practical therapy approaches and how they work online

Heather lists evidence-based therapeutic techniques as the basis for her work. One common approach is the use of behavioral strategies that identify unhelpful habits and replace them with concrete actions to reduce anxiety and improve mood. These strategies suit people dealing with stress, low mood, or social anxiety.

Another approach focuses on problem-solving and communication skills. That involves breaking issues into manageable parts, practicing clearer ways to express needs, and rehearsing conversations so family and work interactions improve. This is helpful for communication problems, blended family issues, and commitment concerns.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Heather collaborates with each client to choose techniques that fit their goals and daily life. She reviews what works and adjusts the plan together rather than assuming one method is best from the start.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know how she is meeting with clients. Online sessions can make scheduling easier and help fit therapy into a busy week. They also allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let clients choose formats that match their bandwidth and comfort with video or audio. Overall, online work aims to make it easier to use practical tools consistently without promising a specific outcome.