About Me

Heather Tustison

Heather Tustison, LCPC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Marriage and Family Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Clinical Supervisor

My Vision:
Healthy, happy, and whole relationships in marriages and families across the lifespan.

My Mission:
Restoration of the hearts, minds, and souls for individuals, couples, and families.

I work with individuals, couples, and families. I specialize in marriage/couple issues, effective communication, pre-marital counseling, healthy relationships, addictions, anger and stress management and Christian counseling, while maintaining a private practice in Meridian, Idaho. I am the Clinical Director at Treasure Wellness Counseling and Training Center and love the teaching, mentoring, and training aspect of supervision.

My fascination with counseling began while working in a private child/adolescent residential facility during my freshman year in college. I learned that I could make a difference in those children’s lives through open discussions encouraging them to overcome, rather than be victim of their circumstance.

I have been given a variety of opportunities to work with a vast diversity of populations, of which, I find myself grateful for my first stepping stone.

Since that first position, I have ventured into several areas of expertise. I have worked as a Marriage and Family Counselor, Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program Counselor for Chemical Dependency, Anger and Stress Management Prevention Interventionist, and Clinical Supervision.

In addition to counseling, I have presented at international, national, state, and local conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of Gestalt Counseling Techniques and Interventions, Couples Communication, Self Worth and Self Confidence, Anger and Stress Management, and Effective Communication Skills. I also enjoy working with graduate student interns from area universities as they pursue their degree in Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy.

I'm a pretty real, down to earth kind of person, a bit rough around the edges, but genuine. My family is my loving husband of thirteen years, my two darling sons and our one furry kid, a cat we adopted from the humane society.

I believe our individual issues are influenced and impacted by the state of our relationships.
That's why I choose to specialize in working with couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT is a well-researched model that helps couples identify and address repetitive negative patterns that hurt, and replace them with skills for building a deeply satisfying, trusting connection. I find EFT to be one of the most effective methods to use in marriage and family counseling.

I am actively pursuing certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Certification is rigorous and requires continued education, training, and supervision. I have completed over 200 post-licensure hours of additional training in EFT for couples (find me at www.iceeft.com).

Embracing Your True Self

I'm also an author.  I created this journal/workbook with the intention to help my clients align themselves with their innate purpose.

In this book, you are invited on a journey of self exploration. Find your true self. Align with the genuine and authentic parts of who you are. Your calling to be, to fix, to create. Use this as a tool to unleash what is and has always been at your fingertips. Then, stand back and watch as you flourish, thrive, and embrace your joy you were born with.

Many agonize over the concept of what they are "called" to do. Some refer to it as purpose, mission, or vision. Many look to outside sources; friends, family, or faith. They often find themselves unresolved, wanton, and discouraged. Is it true that one can have a calling? Is it true that there is purpose in each one of us?
The answer is yes.
The answer is within.
Instead of looking outside for the answers, it's time to start looking inward.
Find it at Barnes and Noble HERE for $14.99.

Below is the technical stuff that may require a Counselor-to-English dictionary. Its here if you are interested.

My basic core beliefs are based in Gestalt, complimented by Contextual and Family Systems theories.

  • Gestalt therapy is an existential/experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility, and that focuses upon the individual's experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person's life, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of their overall situation.
  • Contextual therapy gives an ethical perspective emphasizing trust, loyalty, transgenerational indebtedness and entitlements as well as fairness in relationships between family members.
  • Family Systems theory notes an individual is in constant relation to the larger system, therefore, where the system is changed, so will the individual, as well, where the individual is changed, the system will also be changed.

    I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

    Education
    Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling
    Northwest Nazarene University
    2006

    Bachelors of Science in Psychology
    Evangel University
    1997

License, Certifications & Awards
Advanced Clinical Supervision - 2022
Advanced Clinical Supervision - 2021
Advanced Clinical Supervision - 2019
Advanced Clinical Supervision - 2017
Idaho State University Supervisor of the Year - 2016
National Certified Counselor - 2016
Certified ACA Code of Ethics Trainer - 2015
Robert Rencken Emerging Professional Award - 2015
Idaho State University Supervisor of the Year - 2012
Idaho Counseling Association "Distinguished Service Medal of Honor" - 2011
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - 2010
Registered Clinical Supervisor - 2010

Additional Training
Emotionally Focused Therapy Core Skills Training - 2019
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship - 2018
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
Lay Minister License
Ministry Training and Leadership School - 2002

Professional Activities
IAPC Idaho Chair - 2021-present
IAMFC Branch Development Committee - 2018-2019
American Counseling Association Branch Development Committee 2015-2018
IDASERVIC President 2015-2018
American Counseling Association Western Region Chair 2012-2015
Idaho Counseling Association President 2011-2013
Idaho Counseling Association Conference Chair 2009-11, & 17
Idaho Counseling Association Program Chair 2006-8

Professional Memberships
American Counseling Association
Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
ASERVIC of Idaho - Idaho Division of ASERVIC
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
AMHCA of Idaho - Idaho State Chapter of AMHCA
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

Find A Therapist Featured

Schedule Appointment

Make a change today! Click here to request an appointment.

CLICK HERE

Helpful Forms

Click here to view and print forms for your appointment.

CLICK HERE