AVANT COUNSELING AND WELLNESS

Avant: Innovative, Advanced, Progressive

Sheridan Heinrichs, LGPC, Clinical Counselor

Mind, Body, Heart Holistic Healing

I utilize a holistic, integrated, trauma- informed, evidence-based neuropsychotherapeutic approach to support individuals in their journey towards mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I specialize in helping others heal from trauma, addiction, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, betrayal, abuse, personal struggles, professional challenges, relational and marriage challenges, and family conflict.With a strong background in clinical counseling and over 20 years of professional, personal and practical experience, I am passionate about helping my clients navigate through life's challenges and develop the skills and tools necessary for personal growth, healing, and fulfillment, and a higher quality of life.

Individual Counseling

I provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to work through personal and professional struggles and improve their overall health and well-being. I work with clients to address emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges by exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to gain insights and develop coping and healing strategies for a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

Couples Counseling

I provide guidance and support to help couples improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship by identifying and addressing various challenges and underlying issues. I specialize in pre-marital counseling, communication challenges, betrayal trauma, infidelity, and sexual challenges.

Family Counseling

In Family Counseling, I seek to help improve relationships and communication within a family unit by addressing challenges and promoting positive change individually and relationally. I seek to help families strengthen family bonds, improve communication and problem-solving skills, manage conflict effectively and heal generational wounds and challenges.

Group Counseling

I facilitate a supportive, collaborative environment where individuals can share their experiences, challenges, and personal growth with others facing similar things. I guide group members through therapeutic processes, encouraging open communication, and fostering a sense of connection and community that can help clients gain insights into their behaviors and emotions, while also providing a space for them to receive feedback from peers. I create a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where individuals can feel heard, supported, and empowered to work on their personal goals. Through group dynamics, individuals have opportunities to learn from each other, build empathy, and practice new skills in a social context.

First Responder Counseling

I provide therapy and support to individuals who work in high-stress emergency response roles, such as military members, police officers, and firefighters. These professionals often witness traumatic events and experience significant occupational stress, making them vulnerable to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I am trained to provide trauma-informed care, which recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and tailors treatment accordingly. I have worked professionally and personally in a variety of roles with first responders for over 20 years, which has given me lived experience to expand and enhance my expertise.

Betrayal Trauma Recovery

I help individuals navigate the emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual aftermath of betrayal. I specialize in supporting clients who have experienced deep trust violations, whether from infidelity, secret pornography use, deception, or other forms of relational trauma. I guide clients in processing their pain, understanding the impact of betrayal, setting boundaries, re-regulating their polyvagal nervous system which may be impacted due to deceit, and helping rebuild trust in themselves and others. My approach often combines empathy, active listening, and evidence-based neuropsychotherapeutic methods to foster healing, personal growth, and empowerment. I provide clients with coping strategies to manage their emotional responses, rebuild a sense of safety, and make informed decisions about their relationships moving forward.

Overcoming Pornography

I support individuals who struggle with unhealthy or compulsive pornography use by helping them understand the underlying factors that contribute to their behavior. I also help them explore the impact of pornography on their relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being. My approach focuses on helping clients develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve self-control, and build stronger emotional and intimate connections. I also work to reduce shame and stigma around their struggles, providing a safe, non-judgmental space for healing. Using evidence-based methods, I assist clients in breaking free from addictive patterns, setting boundaries, and fostering a more balanced, fulfilling life. My work emphasizes personal empowerment, self-awareness, and sustainable recovery.

Mental Health Maitenance

I provide support and guidance to individuals seeking to maintain their mental health, which includes assessing clients' mental well-being, helping them identify stressors and challenges, and developing personalized coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, stress management skills, and problem-solving strategies. Additionally, I help clients set achievable goals, improve self-awareness, and foster resilience. The ultimate aim of mental health maintenance counseling is to empower clients to take an active role to maintain their mental health and increase their emotional intelligence (EQ) so they can better navigate challenges and potential crises.

Immigration Evaluations

I conduct psychological evaluations of individuals seeking to resolve their immigration status by evaluating their mental health, trauma history, and coping mechanisms to determine the potential impact of their immigration situation on their well-being. These evaluations are often used in court to provide evidence of extreme hardship or other qualifying factors. The process typically involves a comprehensive interview, review of relevant documents, and administration of standardized psychological tests.