Heather McQuay, MD, LCSW-C

Heather McQuay is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland with an MD and LCSW-C and more than 20 years in human services. She has spent over a decade providing therapy to adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, mood disorders, and trauma. Heather focuses on building a respectful, collaborative relationship so clients can make practical changes that matter to them.

She uses straightforward, person-centered care that starts with listening. Heather works with each person to set achievable goals and to choose ways of working that feel right. Sessions typically involve talking through problems, practicing new skills, and checking what helps in daily life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one approach she uses to help people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She also draws on acceptance and commitment therapy to help people live with hard feelings while moving toward values-based goals. Dialectical behavior therapy skills are used when managing strong emotions and improving coping strategies.

Heather often employs motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to support short-term progress and boost motivation. Her work is tailored to each person’s history, strengths, and current concerns. That may include attention to trauma from childhood or adulthood, relationship strain, parenting stress, or career pressures.

People who choose Heather can expect a calm, practical approach that balances empathy with clear tools. She helps clients track small changes over time and adjust the plan as needed. If someone wants steady support while learning new ways to handle life’s challenges, she aims to provide that guidance.

CBT, ACT, and Skills-Based Care Online

Heather commonly blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in online work. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. ACT focuses on accepting hard feelings while taking steps that match personal values and long-term goals.

She also uses client-centered techniques that prioritize the person’s experience and pace. Finding the right mix of approaches is a joint process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then adjust methods as progress is tracked over time.

Online therapy here is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and skill demonstrations. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging can help maintain momentum between sessions or support people who prefer written communication. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives while trying approaches like CBT and ACT together.