Heather Himler, M.S., LPCC

For over 20 years I have been providing supportive therapy to children, adolescents and families. While working on the inpatient children’s mental health program at the U of M Fairview, I was able to see first hand the struggles that children and family go through when they are seen as oppositional rather than the real issue of reactive attachment. By providing the education and support necessary to these families, the child was given the opportunity to thrive and be understood. The parents were able to take with them a new lens of compassion and tools that were able to be useful and therapeutic. This gave the child and family a renewed ability to connect and bond.

The benefit of working inpatient and day treatment is the essential need for a multidisciplinary team approach to the care of clients and families. I continue to advocate for this important approach in my work as an outpatient therapist. I find it incredibly beneficial to attend a client’s school IEP meetings, as well as have frequent interaction with the case management team. I continue to participate in team meetings in which there is case consultation about how strategies can be applied for the client in numerous settings such as school, community, group home, and their residential setting.

I feel one of the most rewarding parts of being a therapist for a client/ family that has been adopted is providing them with the support, education and skills that allow the family to navigate through tough times and find the strength they didn’t know they had to get to a place where they are able to feel loved and connected to each other.