Mary Elaine Heard, MA, is a cognitive behavioral therapist who has worked with individuals, children, and families for the last fourteen years.  She is certified with the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness and meditation, play therapy, and other techniques.

In her practice, Elaine addresses a variety of presenting problems, and is adept at tailoring the cognitive behavioral approach to individual needs.  Her approach to treating children and adults, for example, may appear very different to the casual observer in that the techniques used in sessions vary. With children, concepts are introduced through games, play, and fun exercises.  With adults, the same concepts are explained, but then thoughts and behaviors are examined within the context of an egalitarian relationship. Though the appearance of sessions may vary from individual to individual, the goals remain the same:  to help clients become aware of their thoughts, become practiced at challenging assumptions, and excited and confident in their own ability to change their lives for the better.

As a strong advocate of matching problems to the types of therapies shown through research to actually work, Elaine also alters her approach depending on the client’s particular problem and situation. For instance, when working with clients seeking parenting assistance, Elaine employs a particular behavioral therapy known as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. This therapy helps parents discover and practice what can be a difficult balance between compassionate, empathetic parenting and age-appropriate structure and boundaries.   Parents with “spirited” and “willful” children are especially aware of how difficult it can be to achieve this balance!  Details about this alternative to talk therapy are outlined on the Specialties and Services page.

Finally, Elaine defines herself as a specialist in helping people overcome trauma.  She began her journey as a therapist employed at a runaway shelter for teens in Pensacola, Florida. Many of the children and adolescents with whom she worked had run away from home; others had been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. She has continued to serve trauma survivors throughout her career, and recently worked as a therapist at a local not-for profit’s Child Abuse Treatment Program.  Although gaining insight can motivate change and foster compassion, helping a client quickly change his or her behavior is often key for immediate relief.