Restoration Trauma Center

Meet Heather Bell, LCSW, LCDC

My Story

I am a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a passion for mental health and trauma recovery. My journey began during my college years, where I earned a degree in Psychology and developed a deep interest in understanding the complexities of the human mind.

After college, I worked with Child Protective Services (CPS), witnessing firsthand the profound impact that traumatic events have on individuals and families. This experience highlighted the intricate ways legal and governmental systems affect people's lives and reinforced the vital role of social work in trauma recovery. I embraced a holistic approach, recognizing how relationships, environment, diet, and exercise influence mental well-being.

Taking a 24-year hiatus from professional employment to raise my family, I continued my commitment to helping others. I volunteered extensively with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, fundraising to support children and families affected by the condition. Raising a child with chronic medical needs myself, I gained personal insight into the challenges faced by families in similar situations. Additionally, I dedicated over a decade to volunteering in emotionally intensive training programs, working closely with trauma survivors. Through somatic work, psychodrama, and experiential therapeutic approaches, I facilitated profound healing and recovery for those affected by trauma.

Now that my children are grown, I have fully immersed myself in my passion for guiding others through trauma recovery. Recognizing that helping people overcome traumatic events—especially sexual assault and other forms of abuse—is my calling, I returned to school to earn my graduate degree. Completing internships at a behavioral health adult inpatient stabilization unit and the local behavioral health center, I gained extensive experience in clinical settings. As a fully licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, I am committed to working directly and impactfully with individuals on their healing journeys.

My Approach

Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) aligns seamlessly with a client-centered approach to therapy. As LCSWs, we are trained to prioritize the individual's unique needs, strengths, and perspectives. This approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and a non-judgmental stance, creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and valued. By focusing on the client's personal experiences and goals, LCSWs facilitate a collaborative therapeutic process that empowers clients to take an active role in their healing and growth. This alignment with client-centered therapy ensures that interventions are tailored to the individual's specific circumstances, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy.

Furthermore, LCSWs are trained to think outside the box of the traditional medical model of mental health. Instead of focusing solely on diagnosis and symptom management, LCSWs adopt a holistic perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of a person's life, including their social, emotional, and environmental contexts. This comprehensive understanding allows LCSWs to address the multifaceted nature of clients' challenges, integrating diverse therapeutic modalities to support overall well-being. A client-centered approach recognizes the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance, where the client feels safe, supported, and motivated to explore and overcome their difficulties. By valuing the client's voice and fostering a compassionate therapeutic relationship, LCSWs effectively promote resilience, personal growth, and lasting positive change.

Educations and Credentials

Bachelor of Psychology, University of North Texas

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Certified ETT Complex Trauma Therapist

Certified ETT Somatic Psychotherapist

Certified ETT Addictions Therapist

Completed ETT Trainings:

Level 1: Introduction to ETT

Level 2: Visual Brain Simulation

Level 3: Treating Mental Health Disorders

Level 4: Treating Somatic Disorders

Level 5: Religious and Spiritual Treatment Strategies

Level 6: Addiction Treatment Training

Completed Brainspotting Training:

Phase 1-Phase 5

Expansion Brainspotting

From Freeze to Thaw

I have had the privilege of training directly with Dr. Steven Vazquez for ETT Level 3-6 and with Dr. David Grand for Brainspotting Phase 3-5.

Issues/specialties

I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, are experiencing distressing emotions, or limiting beliefs and are seeking to heal and recover. The modalities I use allow me to work with single traumatic or distressing event, complex trauma (multiple traumas over a lifetime), and developmental trauma.

Brainspotting and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) are among the approaches I utilize. These therapies can address a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:

· Anxiety and panic attacks

· Depression

· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

· Phobias and fears

· Childhood physical abuse and neglect

· Childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault

· Dissociation of all types

· Attachment issues

· Grief and loss

· Relationship challenges and intimacy issues

· Chronic pain and tension

· Self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy

· Creative blocks

· Flashbacks

· Severe mental health conditions

· Sleep disorders and nightmares

· Hypervigilance

· Mood swings

· Intrusive thoughts

· Addiction

· Distressing Emotions

Insurance/self-pay

Making Mental Health Accessible

At Restoration Trauma Center, I am committed to offering affordable and high-quality mental health services to a diverse range of individuals. To achieve this, I employ therapeutic modalities that promote rapid healing. My clients complete therapy in significantly fewer sessions compared to traditional talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Techniques such as Brainspotting and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) are implemented from the very first session, providing you a degree of immediate relief.

Additionally, I am credentialed with several insurance companies, as listed below, to further enhance accessibility to my services. For clients whose insurance providers are out of network, I am pleased to provide a superbill, which can be submitted for potential reimbursement.

Insurance:

Aetna

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Cigna

Quest

Oscar (Optum)

United Healthcare (Optum)

Oxford (Optum)

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage

Self-Pay:

Individual 55-minute session

$125

Group 90-min session

$40 per person-minimum 5 people

Intensive, Same Day

2 hours $225, 3 hours $300, 4 hours $400