Heather Keltai Psychotherapy, LMHC

I became interested in mental health counseling when working as a background investigator for the government. Tasked with interviewing candidates from various federal agencies for security clearance eligibility, I quickly learned the importance of building rapport and making people feel comfortable sharing personal details about themselves. As I honed my interpersonal skills and established trust with interviewees, I received repeated requests for resources concerning their various mental health struggles. Many feared retribution for asking for support from their employers. Despite wanting to help these individuals, my superiors would often advise me to "stick to the standardized questions" and "pay less attention to the other stuff." I quickly realized that I valued creating a safe space where people could feel comfortable discussing their mental health issues. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in counseling to support and advocate for people in need.

I couple a practical approach to problem-solving with compassion, empathy, and humor. Together, we can explore the source of what’s bothering you and create an effective plan of action. Above all, I am here to listen.

Due to the profound impact cognitive behavioral therapy has had on my own mental health, I believe it to be an invaluable tool to include in my work as a clinician. Postgrad, I studied CBT for anxiety at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to deepen my knowledge when supporting my clients. I have observed the impact CBT has had on my clients’ abilities to mitigate their anxieties, particularly by bringing awareness to how their distorted thought patterns impact their views of the world and their everyday experiences.