Heather Marshall, LCSW

Licensed in California · 18 years in practice

Heather Marshall is a licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of experience helping people manage addictions, trauma, and major life changes.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 133730 · expires September 2027
NPI: 1902079403 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 18
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Heather

Heather Marshall is a licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of experience helping people manage addictions, trauma, and major life changes. She focuses on practical steps to reduce harmful substance use, rebuild self-esteem, and cope with loss, guilt, or isolation. Her tone is direct and compassionate, aimed at parents and adults looking for straightforward help.

Heather works in a conversational, supportive style. She listens for what matters most and helps clients set small, achievable goals.

Background and approach

Sessions often include straightforward skill-building and problem-solving alongside deeper reflection about values and purpose. Her background blends humanistic perspectives with restorative justice ideas and stoic principles. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing to address thinking patterns and to encourage change.

Cognitive processing methods are part of the plan when post-traumatic stress is present. In practical terms Heather helps people sort through shame and guilt, make amends when needed, and find meaning after trauma or addiction. She guides clients through steps to reduce cravings, manage triggers, and reconnect with daily goals.

Work can focus on restoring relationships with oneself and others while building healthier routines. Sessions are offered in English and are structured to match each person's pace and priorities. Heather encourages honest conversation about setbacks and progress, and she helps clients refine strategies as goals evolve.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Heather lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Online support

Evidence-informed approaches for online recovery work

Heather uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and test new behaviors. This approach focuses on concrete skills for managing cravings, anxiety, and mood shifts and is useful for addiction and trauma-related symptoms.

Motivational interviewing is another approach she draws on; it centers on the client's own reasons for change. Sessions using this method support readiness, help resolve ambivalence about substance use, and build internal motivation for healthier choices.

Cognitive processing methods are used when post-traumatic stress is a concern. These techniques help people reframe trauma-related beliefs and reduce the emotional hold of painful memories, so daily functioning becomes easier.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the work. Heather will collaborate with each person to identify what feels most helpful based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts methods over time as goals shift or progress occurs.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for in-depth conversations and teaching skills, phone sessions can fit a busy day or use less bandwidth, and text or chat works well for brief check-ins and ongoing support. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing work, family, and recovery tasks.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Heather help with?

Heather supports people facing addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and life transitions. Her additional focus areas include drug and alcohol addiction, post-traumatic stress, guilt and shame, isolation, forgiveness, and life purpose.

What is her therapy style like?

She uses a human-centered, conversational style. Sessions mix practical skill building with values-focused reflection to help people make steady progress.

How long has she worked in the field?

She brings 18 years of clinical experience to her practice, working with a range of concerns related to addiction, trauma, and emotional recovery.

What credentials and region are listed?

She holds the LCSW credential, listed as CA LCSW, and practices from California.

Are sessions available in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not currently accepted.

Which session formats does she provide?

Heather works using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

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