Cathy Heaps-Stetson

Calm, collaborative care for life transitions

LMHC Florida

Experience: 30 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Cathy

Cathy Heaps-Stetson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with nearly 30 years of experience offering client-centered care across a wide range of life challenges.

Background and approach

She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and emotionally-focused techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, learn relaxation skills, and work through grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Her training includes a master’s degree from Argosy University - Sarasota and certification as a Grief Recovery Specialist, which informs her work with loss and bereavement.

Her approach emphasizes empathic, non-directive support and reflective listening, creating space for clients to explore difficult questions and arrive at their own solutions. Using CBT tools, she collaborates with clients to reframe negative thoughts and develop practical coping strategies for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating disturbances, anger, and compassion fatigue.

Cathy also addresses a broad set of concerns including relationship and family problems, caregiver stress, blended family dynamics, and challenges related to aging or serious illness. Practicing in Florida, she offers a supportive therapeutic presence focused on helping people regain confidence, navigate change, and build skills that promote lasting well-being.

Integrating approaches online to address thoughts, feelings, and relationships

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thinking patterns and building concrete coping skills for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating issues, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and unconditional positive regard, letting clients guide the pace and focus of work while the therapist offers supportive reflection and encouragement. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people recognize and express underlying emotions that drive relationship or intimacy-related difficulties, improving connection and emotional regulation.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and the practical problems they want to solve, then combines techniques from these approaches to create a personalized plan. Flexibility in methods helps tailor sessions to what is most helpful at different stages of change.

Online therapy formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit counseling into busy lives and to access care from different locations within Florida. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, allow follow-up between synchronous sessions, and let clients choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

Cathy works with many concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career challenges, and compassion fatigue.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She practices in a person-centered manner that is empathic and supportive, combining reflective listening with practical interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness to help clients explore and change unhelpful patterns.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings nearly 30 years of experience in education, training, counseling, and supporting clients through loss, illness, and life transitions.

Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?

She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with the credential FL LMHC MH10222 and holds a master’s degree from Argosy University - Sarasota.

Does she work with clients in other languages or countries?

Sessions are provided in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What formats are available for sessions?

She offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies based on location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English