HEATHER GONZALES, LPC

Therapy for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinshipped Individuals and Families - by an Adoptee Therapist

In-Person and Telehealth sessions available

As an adult adoptee, I'm deeply committed to supporting others as they navigate the complexities of trauma, grief, and adverse childhood experiences. I understand the challenges of attachment injury, relinquishment, and identity formation, and I'm here to walk beside you on this journey. With my own experiences shaping my path, I dedicate myself to continual learning, providing a compassionate and understanding presence for my clients. My approach is collaborative, humanistic, and feminist, incorporating art-based techniques for those who are interested. By fostering a curious and direct dialogue, we'll work together towards healing, finding solutions, and nurturing healthier family relationships. Starting therapy can feel daunting, but having a therapist who truly understands the unique aspects of your history can make all the difference. Whether you're facing past hardships or present relationship challenges, remember that you don't have to face them alone. Let's work together to move toward a sense of peace and empowered choices.

I have spent the past 10 years processing my own experiences and working to specialize in serving the adoption community and all the diversity found within it. By integrating my personal journey with extensive self-education and formal training, I have cultivated an extensive foundation of knowledge and empathy that enhances my counseling practice. My active participation and years of listening to and supporting individuals in various adoption-related contexts have informed a more holistic approach in my work with clients. My commitment to continual learning ensures that I remain responsive to the evolving needs of the people I serve, making a significant impact in their lives.

In sessions, I collaborate with clients and individualize to draw on each person’s unique strengths to meet their personal needs and goals. I enjoy using art-based interventions, including drawing, collage, metaphor, music, literature or poetry, and various other media when possible. I offer an active and team-based approach to therapy, and include education, resources, and personal processing exercise options outside of sessions for those who want them. Using my passion for art, education, and teamwork, I value supporting and empowering adoptees and all those whose voices have been marginalized or silenced. I seek to empathically engage with clients and together work toward creating an increased sense of autonomy, empowerment, self-awareness, individual identity, internal validation, personal wellness, and positive relationships. Regardless of where you find yourself today, I am ready to partner with anyone ready to grow and work toward change.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Capital University, a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Pennsylvania Western University, and am pursuing a 2nd master’s degree in art therapy. I have additional training from education workshops and conferences on adoption & foster care, trauma, attachment, dissociation, grief, and art therapy, including multiple adoption “competency” courses taught by adult adoptee therapists.

 

“Heather stepped up in a huge way during a time of crisis for our family.  

Her calm demeanor, use of art therapy, and approach of counseling families instead of only adoptees was absolutely invaluable.  We did not realize how much she would help us understand the connection between our son's challenging behaviors to the trauma of adoption.  We are one year removed from regular sessions with Heather, and it's incredible what a difference she made in our lives.  She has a unique perspective as an adoptee that she brings to every encounter - never making excuses for behaviors, but framing them through the lens of adoption that is so helpful!  It's hard to believe how far we've come as a family, and we will forever be grateful to Heather's guidance through our most turbulent times.” —Adoptive Mom of an Adoptee Teen

“Heather provides wonderful support for adoptees and their families. Book clubs, support groups, art therapy… I recommend Encompass to every Central Ohio adoptive family I meet.” —Adult Adoptee

“I'd just like to give a shout-out to Heather Gonzales, the amazing force behind Encompass Adoptees. I can't say enough wonderful things about her. She is incredibly insightful about our [adoptee] daughter's needs, she is exceptionally well-read about all issues related to the adoption triad, and she is a powerful advocate for adoptees of all ages.” —Adoptive Mom of an Adoptee Teen

 
 

Specializations:

  • Adoption- Pre & Post Adoption for individuals (all ages) and families

  • Trauma- developmental, complex, generational, and interpersonal

  • Attachment difficulties and injury

  • Grief and loss

  • Behavioral health and related issues

  • Relinquishment or removal issues

  • Reunion -within adoption

  • Trauma informed parenting

  • Adoption specific parenting & pre-adopt counseling

  • Supporting adoptive parents wanting healthier relationships with their adult adoptee children

  • Transitions to a new home or a return home after residential care

  • Using creativity, art, and metaphor to enhance expression and processing- for interested youth and adults.

Benefits of Using Art, Images, & Sand Tray in Sessions:

  • Offers way to express emotions and/or experiences that are nonverbal (implicit), or hard to verbalize due to traumatic content or age/development of the client’s verbal skills

  • Offers a way to contain intense emotions and experiences that feel overwhelming

  • Offers increased flexibility to create sessions around the client’s needs rather than a “1-size-fits-all” approach

  • Is experiential and offers a source of sensory input, and/or inherent movement/ kinesthetic experience

  • Offers a way to distance oneself from issues and/or trauma that increases felt safety

  • Offers elements of control and independent decision making in creation

  • Includes symbolism and metaphor to increase reflection and integration

  • Offers a lasting record of therapy that can be kept or referenced by those who choose to do so

  • Encourages creative and flexible problem solving

  • Offers ways to engage in family sessions (youth and parents) in a more inclusive or more “equal playing field” for families to interact and communicate

  • More information on these and other benefits can be found in the book Expressive Therapies, edited by Cathy Malchiodi

Counseling & Consultation

Consultation offers a short term context in which to ask questions and better understand a certain problem, situation, or case

For Parents

  • For those considering at what age they should I tell their adoptee child their whole story?

  • For those considering- how should I talk about sensitive or traumatic information such as: prostitution, drug addiction, conception by rape, etc?

  • For those considering adoption - What are some important things to think through.

  • For those trying to figure out what their role is, healthy boundaries, etc, as their adopted child navigates reunion.

  • For those interested in learning how to communicate better with their adopted child.

For Adoptees

  • For those who want to talk to someone who has been adopted and who has experienced the hard work that processing this can be

  • For those who are trying to navigate reunion

For Agencies, Nonprofits, and. other Mental Health Organizations

  • For organizations trying to provide more thoughtful and appropriate services, programs, trainings, or presentations related to the experience of relinquishment and adoption

  • For a consultation for 1 or more other therapists working with an adoptee/adoptive family.

  • To refer adoptee clients