From Heather…
As a former educator and school counselor, I am passionate about the mental health of adults and adolescents and giving them hope for their future. My goal as a Licensed Professional Counselor is to practice ethically and professionally. I love Experiential Therapy; especially Internal Family Systems, Coherence Therapy, and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy. One of my value statements as a professional is to "Bloom Where You Are Planted." I desire to help my clients grow and thrive despite challenges. Everyone has a life "story." When that "story" is suffering or impaired, I will use my counseling education, skills, and personal life experiences to help clients identify goals and potential solutions, understand emotions, strengthen self-compassion, and promote behavior change and productive mental health.
Special Areas of Interest
- Adolescents
- College Students
- Adults
- Physical Disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Conflict Resolution
- Anger Management
- Impulse Control/Managing Emotions
- Negative Self-Talk
- Self-Confidence
Education and Licenses
- B.S., Math Education, Mississippi State University
- M.Ed., Guidance and Counseling, Mississippi College
- Ed.S., School Counseling, Delta State University
- Licensed Professional Counselor by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners
- National Boards for Certified Counselors
Professional Organizations
- American Counseling Association
- Mississippi Counselor Association
- Mississippi School Counselor Association
- Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor Association
Work Experience
- Math Teacher in the Public School System (1995-2001)
- Retired School Counselor, Sumner Hill Junior High School, Clinton Public Schools (2001-2023)
- Adjunct Professor, Mississippi College (2019)
Presentations
- Adolescent Leadership Lessons
- Suicide Prevention
- Parent-Student Relationships
- Understanding Generation Z
- Grief-Sensitive Schools
- Emotional Competence
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
- All Pro Dads Fatherhood Program
- Sumner Hill National Junior Honor Society Induction
- Mississippi School Board Association Conference, Social Emotional Health
Honors and Awards
- 2022 Community Grant for Grief Sensitive Schools
- 2020 Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative Grant
- 2020 Mississippi Association of Partners in Education Governor’s Award
- 2019 Hometown Magazine High 5 Best School Counselor
- 2017-2018 Mississippi Counseling Association’s School Counselor of the Year
- 2016-2021 Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) status for the Sumner Hill Junior High School’s counseling department for delivering a comprehensive, data-driven program based on the American School Counseling Association National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs
Concurrent Professional Experience
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2025-2026 Mississippi Counselor Association President
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2022-2023 Mississippi Counseling Association Secretary
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2019-2021 Mississippi School Counseling Association President
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2010-2020 School Counseling Supervisor, Mississippi College
Church Affiliation
- Morrison Heights Baptist Church
More About Heather
I’m Heather and am happily married to Clay and we have one daughter, Breana. I also love my two dogs, Hershey, our chocolate lab and Charlee, our basset. We love to travel as a family. We think it is one of the best educational tools one can afford themselves. In my spare time, you can probably find me at the tennis courts, or at Mississippi State sporting events. I believe that being faithful to God and seeking His wisdom through Scripture and prayer allows me to grow from mistakes and provides me with direction and purpose in life.