Dr. Heather C.
Clinical Psychology
Somatic Approaches for
Creatives
Dr. Heather C. is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in therapy for creatives. Creative people have jobs that are not traditional, stressors that are unique, and ways of operating that can be helpful when exploring mental health skills to manage challenges.
An area of expertise for Dr. Heather includes working with performing artists. As a SAG/AFTRA/AEA actor who earned a PhD in clinical psychology with a somatic concentration, she has a unique understanding of the challenges that performing artists face. These challenges translate to all creatives in some ways.
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist California Lic.35039
Licensed Clinical Psychologist Illinois Lic. 071.011423
Dr. Heather has a book contract with Routledge Publishing and is currently writing a book on mental health for actors.
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Plenary speaker for Illinois Dance Educators Organization, March 2026: Grounding: Land in Your Dance.
Dr. Heather is presented at the Stanislavski and Psychology Symposium in Malta, EU, in November 2024:
Somatic Psychology and Chekhov: A Perfect Pairing. This paper is being included as a chapter for a book being published by Routledge Publishing, currently in press.
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​Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory
January - March 2026: psychological consultant on Wolf at the Door as working with trauma in show including domestic violence and giving birth; Dr. C is a doula and helped stage scenes of women giving birth.
Conflict resolution with graduate student cohort.
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September 2026: Worked with faculty and students for a three day intensive " Resilience Lab. One student said, "I'm already using these life skills, ... and feel more authentic in how I engage in daily life." Another student said, "I think you just showed me how I want to be in my life, and now I have skills to make it so."
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Heather led a master class two day intensive "The Resilience Lab: Skills to Thrive" with MFA Acting students October 2025 to overview how to manage stress.
Areas of Expertise
Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Intelligence, Trauma around Birth, Fertility issues, Higher Education Challenges, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Parenting, Somatic Informed, Multiple Careers, Transitions, Grief, Attachment Issues
Movement: Rolfing (bodyworker for 30 years), Alexander, Felkenkrais, Fitzmaurice, Growtowski, Laban, Lecoq, Sensory Awareness, Commedia, Yoga, Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, and more
Contact Dr. Heather C.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please fill out the form below.
Dr. Heather accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Aetna, and Medicare.
Hourly session rate is $160. Sliding scale for limited clients.
Garden Health Group
414 Clinton Place, Suite 106
River Forest, IL 60305
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Tel: (708) 866 - 6766
