Heather MacLaren, LCPC, BC-DMT, GLCMA, ICDVP

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Dance/Movement Therapist in Illinois who works with adults (18+). I specialize in abusive relationships, trauma, and navigating complicated family and relationship dynamics. The people I work with also often experience anxiety, self-doubt & criticism, or depression. To me, healing happens in good relationships – the kind with presence, honesty, and care. That is why I work collaboratively with clients, to co-create a space that feels like a soft place to land. I believe in the wisdom our bodies hold and that working somatically can unlock a profound part of our experience. Beyond any “score,” how we inhabit our bodies is shaped by our histories and culture -- when we include the body in therapy we can listen to your story on a deeper level. Then, we can honor your inherent wisdom and strengths, while also finding new ways of being that align with your values and goals. My approach to therapy includes traditional talk therapy from relational-cultural, feminist, and strengths-based perspectives. I use Dance/Movement Therapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, a body-centered form of psychotherapy that addresses cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms of trauma. I also incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and creative methods like art-making, music, and poetry. I earned my Master of Arts (MA) in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago in 2015. I am a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, Certified Laban Movement Analyst, and have advanced training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (level 1 in 2024; level 2 in 2026) and it’s use for both trauma and developmental attachment wounds. In addition, I am a Certified Domestic Violence Professional in Illinois and have over 10 years’ experience supporting survivors of domestic violence & relationship abuse. Together we will embrace your strengths, tend to the painful parts of your life, and help you find more ease. I look forward to meeting you!