Heather Swanson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist and Clinic Director
Dr. Swanson is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological evaluation and therapy for both children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. She brings a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming perspective to everything she does, because she believes that understanding how your brain works, and learning to work with it, not against it, is the foundation of meaningful change.
Work with Children
With children and adolescents, Dr. Swanson takes a family-centered approach, working closely with parents to translate complex findings into practical strategies that make a real difference at home and at school.
She is deeply interested in the ways cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and social development shape day-to-day life, and she has particular expertise working with twice exceptional (2e) children - those who are both gifted and have a learning difference, neurodevelopmental condition, or other challenge.
She collaborates closely with schools, educators, and other healthcare providers to ensure that every child has a coordinated care plan that reflects their unique profile of strengths and challenges, and that the full picture of who they are, including their gifts, is never lost in the process.
Work with Adults
With adults, Dr. Swanson specializes in evaluation and therapy for individuals who are seeking clarity about autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities, including many who have spent years wondering why certain things feel harder for them than they seem to for others.
She has particular expertise working with twice exceptional adults, whose significant strengths have often masked their challenges for years, leading to late or missed diagnoses and a lifetime of working harder than they should have had to. She approaches this work with warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for the lived experience of neurodivergent individuals.
Her goal is not just to provide answers, but to help people develop a clearer, more compassionate understanding of themselves and practical strategies for navigating a world that was not always designed with them in mind.
Clinical Expertise
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Dyslexia and Other Specific Learning Disabilities
Twice Exceptional (2e) Children and Adults
Adult Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disability Evaluation
Developmental Delays
Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion
Emotional Regulation and Behavioral Challenges
What I Bring to Each Session
I know that people don't usually end up in my office because everything is going well. I take that seriously, and I also believe that warmth, compassion, and the occasional well-placed laugh can make even the hardest conversations a little more bearable. Life is too serious not to find the humor in it sometimes.
I bring decades of experience working with neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan, which means I understand not just where my patients are right now, but where they are headed. I know what to expect at each developmental stage, how challenges and strengths tend to shift over time, and how supports need to evolve as people grow and move through life's transitions. I also live in a neurodiverse family, which means my understanding of neurodiversity is personal as well as professional. This first hand knowledge informs everything I do.
My clinical approach is neurodiversity-affirming at its core, and draws on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also unabashedly enthusiastic about the work. I love to dig into the details with my patients, explore what makes them tick, and geek out together over what we find. Understanding yourself is genuinely fascinating, and I think that curiosity is contagious.
How I Stay Centered
Outside of work, you will find me with a good book, a needlepoint project in progress, or experimenting in the kitchen. I love a walk along the lake, a meal on a sunny terrace, or a boat ride, but you won't find me climbing mountains. I love museums, travel, time with family and friends, and a well-executed theme party. When I need to re-center, I lean on mindfulness practices, quiet time alone, and the occasional honest venting session with someone I trust.
Training and Background
Dr. Swanson obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Iowa State University. She completed a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with specialty training in working with children and families at Washington State University. Dr. Swanson completed her pre-doctoral internship in child clinical and rehabilitation psychology at Children's Hospital Colorado where she worked in the departments of Neurotrauma Rehabilitation and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She has also completed specialty training in providing family-centered, multidisciplinary assessment and care to children with autism, other neurodevelopmental disorders, and special healthcare needs through the Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders program.
Dr. Swanson is a child clinical psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, and developmental delays. She additionally has experience working with children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury/concussion during both acute and chronic recovery. Dr. Swanson is particularly interested in the impact of children's cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and social relatedness on their day to day functioning and development. Dr. Swanson also enjoys working with children and families to develop practical emotion and behavior regulation strategies.
Dr. Swanson's background in child development and family-centered practice allow her to integrate diagnostic and treatment techniques supported by research with parents' real world concerns for their children in order to provide compassionate and pragmatic care. She works closely with parents in order to help them better understand and work with their child's unique profile of strengths and challenges. Dr. Swanson also has extensive experience in collaborating with schools, educators, and other health providers in order to create a comprehensive care plan for children with complex developmental and psychological needs.
Families who wish to better understand their children's difficulties, develop practical strategies for improved functioning in school and home environments, and support their child's development of social skills and emotional regulation abilities are well suited to work with Dr. Swanson. She provides diagnostic assessment services, family therapy, and individual therapy services to our pediatric clients. Additionally, Dr. Swanson sees adults who are seeking assessment for autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, or ADHD.
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