Mental Health Professionals Advancing Compassionate Care
At Good Talk Counseling, our team is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people feel safe to talk openly and work toward meaningful change. Each member of our practice brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to counseling, grounded in respect, compassion, and professional expertise.
We believe effective therapy begins with a strong therapeutic relationship. Our team takes the time to listen, understand your goals, and support you with evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique experiences and needs. Whether you are seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-informed, grief and loss, life transitions, neurodivergence, dis/abilities, or aging-related challenges, we are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Getting started with therapy can feel like a big step, and we are committed to making the process approachable, supportive, and focused on what matters most to you.
Meet the Good Talk Counseling Therapists
Good Talk Counseling’s therapists are committed to providing thoughtful, individualized care for each person who walks through our doors. Our therapists bring diverse professional backgrounds, unique life experiences, and cultivated clinical skills, allowing us to support clients facing a wide range of challenges.
We use evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practical tools to help clients at various stages of life better understand their experiences, build resilience, and develop healthier patterns. Sessions are collaborative and paced according to each client’s comfort and goals. Above all, our therapists strive to create a space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they work toward lasting growth and well-being.
Carol Heiden, M.Ed., LPCC
THERAPIST
Welcome!
My approach is rooted in openness, clarity, empathy, a touch of humor, and abiding respect to help you navigate life challenges. I strive to provide a compassionate and supportive space… to explore.
Using a strength-based perspective, I draw from trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral techniques, and attachment theory to guide our work together. I aim to help you uncover and embrace your strengths as we tackle obstacles and work toward solutions.
I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible mentors and working in diverse settings, such as community counseling centers, schools, community health clinics, advocacy organizations, and animal-assisted services. These experiences have deepened my ability to meet people where they are and walk alongside them in their journey.
I also believe animals can be transformative in therapy. My certified Facility Dog, Pumpkin, and our other Good Talk companions—including dogs, cats, and guinea pigs—can join our sessions if we feel this unique connection might enhance our process.
We have designed our facility to be warm and welcoming, but I strive to offer therapy in ways that best fit your lifestyle and needs. Whether in-person, via telehealth, in the calming presence of nature, or even in your home, my objective is to create a space where you feel comfortable and empowered.
I welcome adults from all backgrounds. I focus on life transitions and am passionate about making mental health services more accessible to homebound individuals.
Areas of Focus:
· Life transitions
· Grief and Loss
· Older Adulthood and Aging
· End of Life Issues
· Caregiver Roles
· Stress and Anxiety
· Depression
· Relationship challenges
· Human-animal connections
I look forward to connecting with you, walking beside you, and supporting you in your journey.
Heather McLaughlin, MSW, MPH, LSW
SOCIAL WORKER | THERAPIST
LCSW expected summer 2026
Did you know that geese in flight take turns leading in order to support a steady pace? Therapy can be similar, as we navigate the way forward together. As a longtime social worker I welcome people of all backgrounds, ages 17 to 97. I guide clients through periods of stress and change across the lifespan, especially related to neurodiversity and dis/abilities; parenting and caregiving; and grief and loss. We will address your goals, such as decreasing anxiety or depression, while understanding the broader forces and systems shaping your life. I'm by your side to get you to a place where you can spread your wings wide with possibility.
My relational approach explores thought and behavior patterns through theories such as ecological systems, CBT, attachment, and empowerment. I’ve been a social worker and raised my (blended) family in the Longmont-Boulder-Weld area for 25 years. I hold Master’s in Social Work and Public Health from the University of CA, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Psychology from TCU.
I provide sessions via telehealth, in-office, or outdoors on our lovely five-acre property, with the option to include therapy animals. We typically meet weekly or biweekly to start, though as-needed sessions may be arranged. I hope you’ll reach out for a complimentary consultation so we can get you headed where you want to go.
My areas of focus include:
stress and life transitions
anxiety and depression
neurodiversity and dis/abilities
grief and loss
relationship challenges
parenting and caregiving
older adulthood
human-animal connections
Meet Our Animal Partners
Our carefully selected animal partners are thoughtfully integrated into sessions for those who choose this option, offering emotional comfort and nonverbal support. Whether lying quietly by your side or simply being present in the room, they help reduce anxiety, build trust, and foster a deeper connection.
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Pumpkin | CERTIFIED FACILITY DOG
Pumpkin is a Certified Facility Dog trained by Paragon Service Dogs, known for her boundless joy and loving spirit. With her soulful Cocker Spaniel eyes and silky ears, she may look wistful, but don't be fooled—her tail is always wagging! Despite a challenging past, including being abandoned twice before age two and undergoing serious surgeries, Pumpkin radiates happiness and resilience. Her journey has taught her to trust again, and she now shares her empathy, energy, and calming presence with those around her. Pumpkin’s intuitive nature and unconditional joy make her a cherished companion in therapy, bringing comfort, laughter, and smiles.
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Sporty | CERTIFIED FACILITY DOG
Sporty is a stellar Facility Dog trained by Paragon Service Dogs staff per the standards established by Assistance Dogs International. She is a sweet Black Labrador Retriever. She responds to a wide variety of cues that can be integrated into therapeutic sessions. Sporty offers a calming and unconditionally accepting presence for people of all ages and backgrounds.
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Buddy | FACILITY CAT
Our facility cat, Buddy, is a true character. His witty antics and curiosity provide unique opportunities in therapeutic sessions. His zest for exploration is contagious. Buddy is a furry friend who is masterful at sparking a sense of adventure. He is also a natural at helping people feel at ease whether he's curling up beside someone during a tough moment or sharing the warmth of a sunny spot as he nestles down for a cat nap.
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Mulan | FACILITY CAT
Mulan brings comfort, joy, and calm to everyone she meets. Mulan has a special way of making people feel at ease with her soft fur, gentle purrs, and affectionate nature. She works as part of Good Talk Counseling’s sessions to help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and bring smiles to those who need it most. Whether curling up beside someone during a quiet moment or playfully batting at a toy to lift spirits, Mulan is a source of healing and connection.
Ethical Standards and Compliance
We adhere to the ethical guidelines of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Colorado State laws, regulations, and standards, ensuring that our practice meets the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and client care.
We are committed to continuing education and supervision to maintain our competence and stay up to date on best practices.