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HEATHER L. FOOTE, PH.D.

Dr. Foote is a clinical psychologist licensed in Virginia and Alabama. In her work at Commonwealth Psychological Associates PLC, Dr. Foote practices as a Generalist providing individual, couples and group therapy for patients and their families to adults, adolescents and children.

Dr. Foote is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and chronic pain, as well as relationship and social skills problems. She is also experienced in working with US Military Veterans, further honing her skills in the treatment of trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In her work with patients, she chooses the appropriate treatment modality according to each individual's needs.

Dr. Foote earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi where she trained in the “scientist-practitioner" model, emphasizing the utilization of evidence-based treatment strategies. In addition to a focus on cognitive and behavioral treatments (such as CBT, CPT and CBIT), she participated in research on meaning-focused treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Logotherapy. Her training strongly emphasized the importance of striving for cultural competence to provide the best possible care. She has worked in numerous settings including community mental health centers, a residential treatment center for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Psychological Services Center for the University of Mississippi, and North Mississippi Medical Center Behavioral Health.

Dr. Foote completed her Internship in the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System, working at both the Tuskegee and Montgomery locations. She completed rotations in trauma-focused therapy, general outpatient mental health care, primary care mental health integration, and community based mental health care, even providing assessment and treatment in veterans' homes when necessary.

Dr. Foote has also worked at the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare outpatient clinic in Mobile, AL providing individual, couples, and group therapy, where she redesigned the Substance Use Disorder Program in keeping with evidence-based treatment to ensure that patients were receiving the most up to date care. Incorporating principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treatment groups for PTSD, chronic pain, and social skills also ensures that patients diagnosed with serious mental illness can receive state-of-the-art care.

Dr. Foote is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association for Play Therapy, and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.

"For there is always light,
if only we're brave enough to see it,
if only we're brave enough to be it."

- Amanda Gorman (National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States)