Heather McTaggart Bryan, LPC, RPT

About

Heather McTaggart Bryan is a full-time therapist at The Center for Cognitive Therapy and Assessment, working with Expand Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. Her client-centered, trauma-informed approach integrates play and expressive therapies to support children affected by complex trauma. She works closely with schools to enhance children’s learning experiences and has consulted with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children since 2008, providing support to recovered children and their families. Heather is also a mother of three.

Specialization

Heather specializes in trauma, attachment, play therapy, high-conflict divorce, and child sexual behavior concerns. She has extensive experience with children impacted by abuse, parental kidnapping, and exploitation, as well as with adults and youth managing sexual behavior issues. She provides national and international trainings on complex trauma, cyberbullying, high-conflict divorce, and working with sexually exploited youth. She co-authored a chapter in Play Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice (Crenshaw & Stewart), and continues to serve as a leading voice in trauma-informed care.

Education, Training, and Professional Journey

Heather earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has worked in diverse clinical settings across New York, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient programs, schools, residential treatment centers, and private practice. 

For 16 years, she was in private practice at the Gil Institute for Trauma and Recovery. Heather is trained in Theraplay (Level Two), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (Level One), Circle of Security, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Trauma-Focused Integrated Play Therapy (TF-IPT). She also provides specialized assessments such as the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment, Marschak Interactional Method (MIM), Trauma Assessment and Intervention for Youth (TAICY), and evaluations for children with sexual behavior problems.