About

Welcome! My name is Heather Bland and I am passionate about partnering with individuals and families as we navigate life's twists and turns. I believe each one of us has a unique and meaning-full story and perspective. My hope is to meet you where you are and make sure you don't feel alone while exploring your path and finding your way. My professional philosophy is grounded in infusing hope and promoting resilience as a means to fully support individuals, families, teams, and communities who are realizing their potential. I have a particular passion in working with caregivers and leaders who may be feeling burned out and want to revitalize or re-imagine how to use their gifts of caring for and nurturing others.

I enjoy challenging you with great compassion when you might be feeling stuck or a little too comfortable, AND I like to think I am great at offering support and comfort when you're feeling overwhelmed by the challenges. I bring both humor and seriousness to the depths of life. I strive to create with you a safe and comfortable space to process, heal and grow, and ultimately thrive. Rooted in strengths and resilience, a therapeutic journey with me most commonly incorporates elements of narrative, experiential, and relational approaches.

Here is a little more about my education and experience:
After completing my undergraduate work in psychology at the College of William and Mary, I obtained a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. While my degree was a secular degree, it came with a good deal of theology. If exploring [the benefits and/or the pitfalls of] your faith and church are important to you, I am comfortable doing so.

I worked for thirteen years as a residential and community based family therapist for young people. During this time, I completed a post-graduate certificate in resilience-based family therapy, with an emphasis in work with LGBTQ+ with Froma Walsh through the Chicago Center for Family Health. Since moving to Southern California in 2015, I have been the CEO of a small nonprofit in the Philippines that provides residential therapeutic care for young survivors of human trafficking. I have also been a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach since 2015.