Heather McQuay, LCSW-C - Therapist in Maryland

Anger management
Trauma support
CBT and ACT

About Heather

Heather McQuay is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland with more than 20 years in human services and over a decade as a licensed therapist. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, grief, trauma, relationship strain, and life changes. Heather also supports people facing parenting challenges, career questions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Heather uses a person-centered style that treats people as the experts on their own lives. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings. She listens for patterns that keep anger and resentment cycling and helps clients pick small, concrete changes to test out.

Her work draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to notice unhelpful thoughts and on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to clarify values and next steps. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation and Client-Centered Therapy practices to keep conversations focused on the client’s priorities.

Heather has experience helping people recover from childhood and adult trauma, manage mood disorders, and cope with chronic stress or pain. She offers coaching-style support when clients want practical strategies for work or parenting challenges. People who prefer clear, stepwise approaches find her style useful.

To begin, readers are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Heather’s approach is collaborative and pragmatic, focused on learning what works in daily life rather than promises or labels.

How Heather uses evidence-based approaches online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and choose actions based on personal values. It can be useful for managing anger that comes from frustration, regret, or stuck patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to change mood and reactivity. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and anger that follows specific thinking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, which can help when strong feelings feel overwhelming.

Therapy is a collaborative process. Heather will work with each person to figure out which approach or mix of approaches fits their goals and day-to-day needs. She encourages trying techniques in real life and reviewing what helped and what did not during sessions.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it simpler to practice skills in real-life settings and bring those experiences back to session for troubleshooting and adjustment.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseAnger managementDepression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability CodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issues Forgiveness Guilt and shameHoardingImpulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness JealousyLife purposeMidlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Listed in

Maryland

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, ADHD, and related issues listed in her profile.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is person-centered and practical. She focuses on clear steps, skills practice, and collaborative goal-setting.

How much experience does she have?

She has over 20 years in the human services field and more than a decade as a licensed therapist.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical, LCSW-C, licensed in Maryland.

Which languages are supported during sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She is not accepting international clients at this time.

How are sessions scheduled and paid for?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start a first session?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.