Heather F-D, LICSW, RPT-S STFC
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-Children ages 3-8
-Tweens
-Parenting
-ADHD
-Trauma
-anxiety
-Foster and adoption
-Boundaries
-Self-esteem
-developmental challenges
-Neurodivergent relationships
-Family Therapy
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Heather sees clients at The Real Work on Mondays and Fridays
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Initial intake (60 minutes): $200
Individual play therapy (45-50 minutes): $180
Parent consultation (30 minutes): $90
Get to Know Heather!
Heather FD brings over 16 years of experience as a play therapist and clinical supervisor to The Real Work. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, and holds her foundational certificate in Sand Therapy.
Heather’s work centers on helping children ages 2–14 and their families navigate life’s most tender challenges. She specializes in:
Relational play therapy that strengthens connections between parents and children.
Supporting children and families experiencing grief and complex loss.
Helping parents break free from intergenerational trauma cycles.
Building lasting, affirming relationships with neurodivergent children and families.
In Therapy, Heather Works With:
Children Experiencing Grief and Complex Loss
Grief in children often looks different than in adults—it may show up as play themes, big emotions, or quiet withdrawal. Heather specializes in supporting children through loss of loved ones, divorce, or other life transitions, using play therapy to give them a safe way to process and heal.
ADHD
Children with ADHD often experience fast-moving thoughts, big feelings, and difficulty with focus or impulse control. Heather using play-based and science-backed strategies that support kids' sensory needs, build frustration tolerance, and increase self-awareness in developmentally appropriate ways. Parents receive guidance to reduce power struggles and strengthen connection.
Parents Breaking Intergenerational Trauma Cycles
Many parents come to therapy with a deep desire to parent differently than they were parented. Heather helps families identify and shift patterns rooted in intergenerational trauma, offering tools for attuned parenting, co-regulation, and lasting connection.
Neurodivergent Children and Their Families
Neurodivergent kids thrive when they feel understood and accepted for who they are. Heather creates affirming, playful spaces for children with autism, ADHD, and sensory differences, while guiding parents in strategies that nurture confidence, regulation, and joy.
Parent–Child Relational Healing
Heather’s approach centers on the relational magic between parents and children. Through play-based therapy, she helps strengthen attachment, reduce power struggles, and foster resilience in family systems.
Anxiety in Young Children
Young kids with anxiety often don’t have the words to describe what’s happening in their bodies. Their fear might show up as clinginess, meltdowns, or tummy aches. Through play-based therapy for anxiety, Heather helps children make sense of their fears and gain tools for calming their bodies and brains. Her gentle, somatic approach supports co-regulation and strengthens a child’s sense of felt safety at home and school.
Therapist Supervision and Professional Growth
As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) and Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, Heather also supports clinicians in developing their skills and confidence. She offers supervision, consultation, and training to therapists who want to deepen their work with children and families.
Heather believes that therapy with children works best when it includes parents as partners, focusing on healing relationships, not just behaviors. Her presence with both kids and adults is warm, attuned, and deeply playful. Families and clinicians alike describe her as a guide who brings both expertise and compassion to every session.
Clinical Supervision, Case Consultation, and Education with Heather
Heather provides clinical supervision, consultation, and professional training for therapists who want to deepen their skills in play therapy, trauma-informed care, and child development.
If you’re a therapist curious about training opportunities at The Real Work, please contact us today!