I work with teens & adults who often look like they’re managing life on the outside, while internally feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns that no longer fit who they’re becoming. Many of my clients are balancing responsibilities, relationships, parenting, work stress, and healing from experiences that still affect how they think, feel, and connect.
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and tailored to the realities of adulthood — including the ways childhood experiences, chronic stress, and nervous system patterns can continue shaping daily life.
I work with women who may be carrying the long-term effects of childhood trauma, complex trauma, chronic stress, or emotionally painful relationships. This can show up as people-pleasing, overthinking, anxiety, difficulty trusting yourself, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s needs.
If you’re often the one holding everything together but privately feel emotionally drained, therapy can help create space to understand those patterns and build something healthier.
I support adults living with ADHD, especially women whose symptoms may have gone unnoticed for years. ADHD can affect organization, emotional regulation, follow-through, motivation, and self-esteem — especially when paired with high expectations, caregiving, or workplace stress.
Many adults seek therapy because they’re exhausted from trying to “push through” overwhelm, executive dysfunction, procrastination, or constant mental noise.
I work with adults exploring how trauma, attachment experiences, and past relationships continue shaping current ones. This may include difficulty setting boundaries, fear of abandonment, conflict patterns, or repeating dynamics that leave you feeling unseen, anxious, or disconnected.
Therapy can support healing from toxic relationships, rebuilding trust in yourself, and understanding what safe connection actually feels like.
I also work with adults navigating parenting stress, burnout, and identity changes that come with caregiving. Many parents, especially mothers, are carrying invisible emotional labor while trying to care for others without enough support themselves.
Therapy offers space to process that load without needing to hold everything alone.
I work with teens who may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, emotional ups and downs, family stress, school pressure, relationship issues, or changes in identity and self-esteem. Some teens come to therapy struggling to express what they’re feeling, while others feel stuck in patterns of shutting down, overthinking, or conflict.
Therapy can provide a supportive space to build emotional awareness, coping skills, and a stronger sense of confidence while navigating the challenges that come with adolescence.
Heather Smith (178.032748) is under the supervision of Kelsey Romanoff (180.011199) at Grove Counseling Center in Downers Grove, Illinois
Copyright © 2025 Heather Smith. All rights reserved.