Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Heidi Kraft

“Why did you become a psychologist?”

I have been doing this for a long time, and over the years I have been asked that question quite often.

At first, my answer was simple: I wanted to help people.

After all, I am blessed with natural empathy that I inherited – and learned – from my Mom, who was a registered nurse, and my Dad, who was not the typical Navy submarine officer. As I grew up, I developed critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills. It is a combination that has allowed me to be helpful to many people over the years.

But now, after all this time, I realize I became a psychologist for a different reason. Ironically, I had to actually be a psychologist before I could understand what that reason was.

It turns out that there is nothing in the world that rivals witnessing the power of the human brain as it fights to heal itself.

I feel incredibly grateful that I have seen this phenomenon in action again and again, since the day I first called myself a psychologist. I know that the evidence-based treatments in which I have been trained provide an anchor. I know my compassion allows people to feel heard and understood. But the power has always come from them.

I have watched those under my care find hope and healing in the face of extraordinary challenges. I have witnessed so many of them emerge – lifting their eyes to the horizon once again – from the weight of depression, anxiety, trauma, moral injury, chronic pain, terminal illness, infertility, disability, isolation and grief.

I have also had the privilege of sitting quietly with several others – on the battlefield and on the transplant unit. I held their hands as they took their last breaths, lifting their eyes to the horizon one final time.

What a gift it has been to walk alongside every one of them, witnessing the strength they discover, the fight they summon, the self-compassion they develop, and, finally, the hope – and peace – they find.

That gift continues to inspire me every day. It is what motivates me to share the power of resilience with others and to help my clients develop the tools and strategies they need to strive for excellence, overcome life’s challenges, and live more fulfilling, meaningful lives.

At Therapy Changes, we are committed to providing exceptional psychological care with genuine compassion and care. You will always be treated with respect, your voice will be heard, and your privacy, comfort, and well-being will remain our highest priorities.

If you’re considering therapy, I invite you to connect with our Client Care and Community Relations Specialist to learn more about how therapy can help and to schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you, discovering your unique strengths, working together to uncover the resilience within you and finding the courage to heal.