Abigail Heit, LCSW
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My passion is maternal mental health. Most of my clients are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or are postpartum and learning to adjust to their new life as a parent. People often think of parenthood as a rite of passage, and for many it's not until they become a parent that they realize what a massive undertaking it is, which can bring about unresolved feelings around your own childhood experience.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I gave birth to my first son in February 2020, three weeks before the public health emergency that forced us into lockdown. At that time, face to face therapy had to pivot to virtual. It was then that I realized I could reach a lot more parents who are struggling with this transition by seeing them virtually. My sons motivate me everyday to be the best version of myself so that I can parent with empathy and compassion and helps others do the same.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
In the beginning of my career I worked with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and I worked weekly with a teenager that suffered from abuse from a male relative. In that setting, I learned how to listen and hold space for her story as well as treat her PTSD symptoms. By the end of our time together she was in a much better place emotionally and asked to take a picture of me in my office to remember our work. I was touched!
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
I take insurance because I want therapy to be accessible to as many people as possible, but unfortunately insurance companies make things more complicated than I’d like. Sometimes those with little knowledge of behavioral health make decisions that impact those with acute needs and providers are left picking up the pieces.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
Here are my three tips:
- Start building your caseload on the side and don’t spend any of that money. Once you’re ready to go full time, you’ll have a nice cushion to keep you afloat during slower months or for unforeseen expenses.
- Keep seeing your own therapist, and if you’re not seeing one, start seeing one. This person will help you look at the obstacles in your way of starting with an unbiased and objective opinion.
- Talk to someone who also started out small and on their own and learn from their mistakes!