Psychotherapist and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist

I am a Psychotherapist and Masters-level Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Sex Therapist. I maintain a primarily telehealth private practice and am also the Director of Clinical Social Work at Ross Halpern PhD and Associates, a group private practice serving the greater Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan areas. My clinical practice specializes in adult individual and couples therapy. My areas of expertise include patient-specific comprehensive treatment for Trauma (PTSD and CPTSD), chronic pain and illness, as well as AASECT-certified sex therapy when indicated for pain patients, trauma survivors, and couples or individuals confronting a variety of sexual concerns.

I affirm all sexualities and genders.

I specialize in adult individual and couples therapy, with an emphasis on whole health and wellness for patients with chronic pain following accident or injury. My areas of expertise include patient-specific, comprehensive treatment plans for chronic pain complicated by Post Traumatic Stress. I am proficient in treating traumatic overlay generated from either an injury or accident, or from earlier traumatic life experience such as incest, rape, family violence or other physical, emotional, or psychological violence which complicates the patients’ ability to heal in the present. Treatment modalities include multi-systems, mind-body healing modalities, cognitive-behavioral, psycho-dynamic, imagery, relaxation, and empowerment-focused techniques. Each skill is used as indicated to facilitate healing and improve functioning in home, work-place, school, and community. Special attention is given to coordinate care with referring and treating physicians and other healthcare providers. I am well-versed in addiction and compulsion treatment for patients with addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, or sexual behaviors. I use various somatic body-centered treatment modalities in my work including but not limited to Transformative Insight Imagery™, Unlearn Your Pain, Anxiety & Depression, Progressive Thought Field Therapy, and Havening techniques.

I strive to use an intersectionally aware lens with all clients to honor and amplify the identities that come together to make each individual who they are.

I provide AASECT-certified sex therapy when indicated for pain patients, trauma survivors, couples, or individuals confronting a variety of sexual concerns, and for LGBTQAI+ individuals challenged by societal oppression to live their own authentic identities.

I am skilled in Mind-Body and Trauma group treatment.

I provide supervision of Masters of Social Work students and limited-license level psychotherapists new to the field of chronic pain and trauma treatment.

I have been certified as a sex therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) since 2013, and a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) since 1992.

Education

Sexual Health Certificate Program, University of Michigan, 2010

Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of Chicago, 1992

Bachelor’s Degree in Radio, TV & Film, Northwestern University, 1987

Existing Clients

Existing clients may use your client portal to access your account, contact Heidi, view your scheduled appointments, attend your secure HIPAA-Compliant telehealth session, and securely share documents.