Heather Friedman, LMHC

Owner, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Clinical Supervisor

Welcome to Your Bright Side. I'm so glad you're here.

Whether you're reaching out for yourself, your child, your relationship, or your family, I know taking this first step isn't always easy. My hope is that from the moment you connect with my practice, you feel supported, understood, and never judged.

I believe healing happens through genuine connection, evidence-based care, and a little bit of hope. I often say my work is guided by the three H's—humility, humor, and honesty. Those values have been shaped by both my professional experience and my own life, and they influence every conversation I have with clients.

For the 13+ years I have been in private practice, I've had the privilege of helping children, teens, adults, parents, and families navigate anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, grief, life transitions, and the everyday challenges that can feel overwhelming. While I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), mindfulness, and other integrative therapies, I never lose sight of the person sitting in front of me. Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is healing.

One of the things I value most is collaboration. I believe people do best when everyone involved in their care is working together. Whether that means coordinating with physicians, psychiatrists, schools, or other trusted wellness professionals, I'm committed to making sure you and your family don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.

Outside of the office, I’m a nature-loving mom to twin boys and wife of a fire fighter. I enjoy writing poetry, playing guitar and drums, creating art, discovering great coffee, and making memories with my family. I believe life is a balance of growth, resilience, laughter, and finding meaningful moments along the way.

Thank you for considering me to be part of your journey. It is a privilege I never take for granted, and I look forward to helping you discover your own bright side.

Please see below for areas I commonly treat:

    • ADHD & Executive Functioning

    • Anxiety Disorders

    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Gifted & Twice-Exceptional

    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress

    • Depression

    • Bipolar II Disorder

    • Grief & Loss

    • Self-Esteem & Confidence

    • Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills

    • Behavioral Challenges

    • School-Related Stress & School Avoidance

    • Social Skills & Peer Relationships

    • Friendship & Bullying Concerns

    • Family Conflict & Sibling Relationships

    • Divorce, Separation & Co-Parenting Transitions

    • Identity Development

    • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    • Early Substance Use Concerns & At-Risk Behaviors

    • ADHD & Executive Functioning

    • Anxiety Disorders

    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Depression

    • Bipolar II Disorder

    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress

    • Grief & Loss

    • Stress Management & Burnout

    • Self-Esteem & Self-Compassion

    • Life Transitions & Adjustment

    • Young Adult & Failure-to-Launch Concerns

    • Relationship Challenges

    • Women's Mental Health

    • Spouse & Partner Support for Mental Health and Addiction

    • Early Recovery & Substance Use Concerns

    • Personal Growth & Resilience

    • Parent Burnout

    • Co-Parenting Support

    • Discernment

    • Divorce & Separation Adjustment

    • Blended Family Transitions

    • Family Conflict Resolution

    • Parent-Child Relationship Challenges

    • Navigating School & Community Resources

    • Supporting Children Through Life Transitions

    • Building Healthy Family Relationships

  • Certified. Completed Training and Consultations through APSAC Colloquium

    Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based approach designed to help children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, difficult life events, or overwhelming emotions. TF-CBT helps young people better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while developing healthy coping skills, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of safety and confidence.

  • Completed ERP Training and Supervision through IOCDF Behavioral Therapy Training Institute.

    Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specialized, evidence-based therapy approach commonly used to treat OCD, anxiety disorders, and phobias. ERP helps individuals gradually face feared thoughts, feelings, situations, or sensations in a safe and supportive way while learning that anxiety can decrease without relying on compulsions or avoidance.

    The goal of ERP is not to eliminate all anxiety, but to build confidence, increase flexibility, and help individuals regain control over their lives.

  • In progress!

    ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider.

    After years of specializing in ADHD and supporting countless individuals and families, I decided it was time to add the official credentials to match the work I’ve been passionate about for years!

Please see below for Trainings and Certifications:

“An outstanding therapist who transforms lives.
I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Heather Friedman for years as a pediatric and adult psychiatrist, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most compassionate, skilled, and dedicated therapists I have ever known. Her ability to connect with clients, listen deeply, and provide genuine, transformative support is nothing short of remarkable. Heather has an incredible gift for creating a safe, nonjudgmental space, where healing and growth are possible..

Whether it’s helping clients navigate complex emotional landscapes or empowering them to overcome personal challenges, Heather brings warmth, empathy, and professionalism to every session. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to collaborate often with her in the care of our mutual patients. She is simply phenomenal!”
— Dr. Susanna Chyu, APG Healthcare
“Heather was an absolute God-send when life was extraordinarily hard for my child. After a traumatic event, a series of crises and dealing with some transitions, Heather met my son where he was and helped him to build skills and heal. I recommend her to everyone I know, and its such a relief to know that if we hit another bumpy patch in life, my child has a healing resource he trusts in Heather.”
— Previous client
“Heather helped our family immensely at a time when we were really struggling, and I can’t say enough good things about her. She’s knowledgeable, compassionate and very insightful. In addition to her incredible counseling services, she is always quick to respond to any questions, scheduling is a breeze, and I’ve never encountered any hassles with billing or administrative issues (as I frequently have with other mental health providers). If you or your child needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out to this practice!”
— Previous Client

Contact Heather.

Heather@yourbrightsidecounseling.com
407.476.7001

23 N. Summerlin Ave.

Orlando, Florida 32801

Feel free to follow me on social media for resources and practice updates!