Dr. Naharia Heard, LPC

Dr. Naharia Heard is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Virginia with more than 10 years of clinical experience. As a mother and Army veteran, she brings a breadth of life experience to her work alongside formal training that includes a Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling and certification as a substance abuse counselor. These credentials reflect advanced training in counseling and specialized preparation to address substance use concerns.

Dr. Heard focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families navigate stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy challenges, parenting and family dynamics, grief, and career-related concerns. Her practice incorporates a range of therapeutic methods, including client-centered approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotionally-focused strategies, and motivational interviewing, as well as family systems and trauma-focused work. She has experience addressing issues such as PTSD, sexual abuse, combat-related stress, dual diagnosis, and compassion fatigue.

Clients can expect practical skill-building for coping with daily pressures, targeted strategies for mood and anxiety symptoms, and relational work to improve communication and connection within families and partnerships. Dr. Heard’s approach blends evidence-informed techniques with a humanistic emphasis on understanding each person’s unique story, cultural context, and goals.