Heather Burgess , LCMHC

Heather Burgess is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) who began practicing after earning a master’s degree from Montreat College in 2018. She also holds recognition from the National Board of Certified Counselors and is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist with the North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board, reflecting focused training in both general mental health and substance use treatment.

Her professional background includes work on an ACTT team and in a men’s residential substance use program in Asheville, North Carolina. She has served as a crisis hospital advocate with Our Voice, Inc. and has provided continuing education courses on sex trafficking to various groups. In her current practice she provides in-home therapy to families where the identified client is at risk of out-of-home placement, coordinating across school, home, legal, social service, and prosocial settings to support sustainable change.

Heather’s clinical work draws on a systems-based perspective and an integrative approach derived heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with trauma-informed care at the forefront. She incorporates modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and art-based techniques when appropriate. She offers private counseling to adolescents and adults aged 13 and up for concerns including substance use, mood disorders, trauma, grief, anger management, parenting challenges, ADHD, and relationship and family issues.

Her role centers on supporting individuals and families to reach their goals through nonjudgmental, action-oriented work that emphasizes skill building, expanded self-awareness, and individualized treatment planning. Heather aims to validate clients’ experiences while collaborating creatively to address obstacles and promote meaningful steps forward. She looks forward to working with those who seek support.

Approaches Used in Online Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify personal values and learn skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking action that aligns with what matters most. It is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and patterns that interfere with meaningful living.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It offers practical tools for managing depression, anxiety, addiction-related behaviors, and everyday life stressors by teaching problem-solving and coping strategies.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines skills training in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. It can be especially useful for intense emotions, anger management, relationship challenges, and difficulties with impulse control.

Deciding on the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Heather works collaboratively with clients to evaluate needs, goals, and preferences, adapting methods over time so the chosen strategies fit the individual’s life and values.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it possible to access licensed professionals with greater flexibility. These options can reduce travel time, allow therapy to fit into busy schedules, and support continued work between appointments, helping clients practice skills and stay connected to care.