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MD, LCSW-C

Heather McQuay, MD, LCSW-C

  • Experience20 years
  • LocationMaryland
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Heather

Heather McQuay, MD, LCSW-C, brings two decades of experience in human services and over ten years as a licensed therapist to her practice in Maryland. She has worked extensively with people facing anxiety, depression, grief, mood disorders, and trauma from both childhood and adulthood.

Background and approach

Her medical and clinical social work credentials inform a pragmatic, evidence-informed approach to care. Her style is grounded in a person-centered philosophy that emphasizes respect, collaboration, and individualized goals.

Heather combines cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment ideas, dialectical skills, and motivational interviewing with strength-based and solution-focused methods to meet each client where they are. She aims to tailor strategies to an individual’s needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.

Clients seeking support for stress, relationship and family concerns, parenting, career issues, ADHD, compassion fatigue, or complex mood and attachment-related challenges will find Heather oriented toward empowerment and growth. She concentrates on helping people develop practical coping skills, clarify values, and build sustainable change within the context of their lives.

Integrating evidence-based approaches into online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or emotions are present; it is often useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and testing unhelpful thoughts and building practical skills to change behavior, making it a strong fit for anxiety, depression, and coping challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be helpful for intense mood swings and relationship difficulties.

Heather approaches treatment collaboratively, recognizing that finding the best therapeutic fit is a process. She partners with clients to explore which methods align with their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adapting strategies as progress unfolds and priorities shift.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from their chosen location, fit sessions into busy schedules, and use different communication styles depending on what feels most helpful. The variety of formats supports continuity of care while working collaboratively on skills, values, and coping strategies.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Heather address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family problems, grief, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
The approach is person-centered and collaborative, blending cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, dialectical behavior, and motivational interviewing techniques to fit each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Heather has 20 years in the human services field and more than a decade practicing as a licensed therapist.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds MD and LCSW-C credentials with licence number MD LCSW-C 14115 and practices in Maryland.
Can people who speak other languages work with her?
Sessions are offered in English; she is not listed as providing services in other languages or to international clients.
What session formats are available?
Heather offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through 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, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English

What Heather can help with

Heather McQuay works with clients on stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger management, depression, and coping with life changes.

Heather works with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and mood disorders.

Heather works with those with a history of trauma, both from childhood and adulthood.

How Heather approaches therapy

Heather's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

Experience and training

Heather is an MD practicing in Maryland, with 20 years of clinical experience.