Heather Simpson, MA, LPC, ATR
|
Master of Arts
To make an appointment with Heather, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email [email protected].
Specializes In:Depression, Anxiety/Worry, Grief/Bereavement, Trauma, Life Transitions, Bipolar Disorder, Relationship Issues/Couples Counseling, School Refusal, Emotion Regulation, ADHD
Ages Served: Children and Adolescents (10+), Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults |
Professional Experience
Heather has a Master of Art in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University and a Bachelor or Fine Arts from Olivet Nazarene University. Heather is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist providing creative, trauma-informed therapy for individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Heather integrates art therapy, mindfulness, and evidence-based counseling to help clients explore emotions, build healthy coping skills, and create meaningful change — especially when words feel hard to find.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
Therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating — it can be creative, grounding, and even empowering!
I currently treat:
Depression
Anxiety/Worry
Grief/Bereavement
Trauma
Life Transitions
Bipolar Disorder
Relationship Issues/Couples Counseling
School Refusal
Emotion Regulation
ADHD
Heather has a strong passion for working with emerging adults who are navigating identity, relationships, career stress, and major life changes, offering a supportive space to build confidence, clarity, and emotional resilience through creative expression. Her therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. Sessions often blend visual art, metaphor, guided reflection, and family systems work to support both individual growth and relational connection.
I currently treat:
Depression
Anxiety/Worry
Grief/Bereavement
Trauma
Life Transitions
Bipolar Disorder
Relationship Issues/Couples Counseling
School Refusal
Emotion Regulation
ADHD
Heather has a strong passion for working with emerging adults who are navigating identity, relationships, career stress, and major life changes, offering a supportive space to build confidence, clarity, and emotional resilience through creative expression. Her therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. Sessions often blend visual art, metaphor, guided reflection, and family systems work to support both individual growth and relational connection.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
I value authenticity, creativity, curiosity, vulnerability, and stewardship, as they guide both my personal and professional life. Being authentic allows me to show up as my true self and build trust, while creativity drives me to explore new ideas and solutions. Curiosity keeps me learning, asking questions, and embracing fresh perspectives, and vulnerability gives me the courage to take risks, share openly, and foster genuine connections. Stewardship grounds me in responsibility, ensuring that my actions consider the well-being of others and the long-term impact of my decisions. Together, these values shape how I approach challenges, relationships, and opportunities, helping me live and work with purpose and integrity.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
I am empathetic, attentive, adaptable, and caring—qualities that guide how I show up both professionally and personally. I strive to truly understand each person’s experience, whether in session or with friends and family, noticing the small details that make people feel seen and valued. My adaptability helps me navigate life’s unexpected moments with grace, and my caring nature inspires me to support others with kindness and thoughtfulness. These qualities shape how I create connection, foster growth, and show up fully as myself in every relationship.
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
I’ve always naturally stepped into a “helper” role—listening to friends, noticing when someone needed support, and thinking about ways to make things easier. That inclination stayed with me into adulthood and led me to become a therapist. I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where people can be understood, explore their experiences, and move toward meaningful growth.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
Some of my favorite ways to practice self-care include creative hobbies like crocheting, knitting, and needlepoint, which help me slow down and focus. I also find joy in running my micro-bakery, exploring new coffee shops, going on little adventures, and spending quality time with my French Bulldog. These activities keep me grounded, energized, and inspired both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite quote/some of your favorite quotes?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wilde—it’s a reminder to lean into authenticity, whether I’m in session, in the bakery, or just spending time with my French Bulldog. I also love, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life” by Confucius, which captures my passion for creating, exploring, and finding joy in both my professional and personal life. These quotes feel like little nudges to stay curious, present, and fully myself.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional?
One of the most meaningful things I’ve learned as an art therapist is how powerful creative expression can be in healing. I love this work because it’s an honor to bear witness to people’s growth, hold space for vulnerability, and support them as they use art to explore, process, and express their experiences.
I value authenticity, creativity, curiosity, vulnerability, and stewardship, as they guide both my personal and professional life. Being authentic allows me to show up as my true self and build trust, while creativity drives me to explore new ideas and solutions. Curiosity keeps me learning, asking questions, and embracing fresh perspectives, and vulnerability gives me the courage to take risks, share openly, and foster genuine connections. Stewardship grounds me in responsibility, ensuring that my actions consider the well-being of others and the long-term impact of my decisions. Together, these values shape how I approach challenges, relationships, and opportunities, helping me live and work with purpose and integrity.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
I am empathetic, attentive, adaptable, and caring—qualities that guide how I show up both professionally and personally. I strive to truly understand each person’s experience, whether in session or with friends and family, noticing the small details that make people feel seen and valued. My adaptability helps me navigate life’s unexpected moments with grace, and my caring nature inspires me to support others with kindness and thoughtfulness. These qualities shape how I create connection, foster growth, and show up fully as myself in every relationship.
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
I’ve always naturally stepped into a “helper” role—listening to friends, noticing when someone needed support, and thinking about ways to make things easier. That inclination stayed with me into adulthood and led me to become a therapist. I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where people can be understood, explore their experiences, and move toward meaningful growth.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
Some of my favorite ways to practice self-care include creative hobbies like crocheting, knitting, and needlepoint, which help me slow down and focus. I also find joy in running my micro-bakery, exploring new coffee shops, going on little adventures, and spending quality time with my French Bulldog. These activities keep me grounded, energized, and inspired both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite quote/some of your favorite quotes?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wilde—it’s a reminder to lean into authenticity, whether I’m in session, in the bakery, or just spending time with my French Bulldog. I also love, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life” by Confucius, which captures my passion for creating, exploring, and finding joy in both my professional and personal life. These quotes feel like little nudges to stay curious, present, and fully myself.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional?
One of the most meaningful things I’ve learned as an art therapist is how powerful creative expression can be in healing. I love this work because it’s an honor to bear witness to people’s growth, hold space for vulnerability, and support them as they use art to explore, process, and express their experiences.
