Who Am I?
Educator
I’ve been teaching future counselors since 2012, and there are a few things that make me different from other Counselor Educators. I believe in building a community with my students, where they feel seen, heard, and safe to be their true selves. I show them this by being myself in every interaction. (Who else would I be, anyway?) I also make sure to name how I am showing up in each interaction and encourage them to do the same.
I strike a balance between safety and challenges that foster their growth. I draw from various perspectives, such as cognitive development, trauma-informed approaches, liberation psychology, Polyvagal Theory, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive ideas, in my teaching. I believe counseling, therapy, mental health - whatever you want to call it - is political, so my main goal is to help my students become the best counselors, change-makers, and advocates they can be.
Supervisor
I provide distance supervision services to guide and mentor future LPCs and LMFTs in trusting their intuition in the counseling room. I help them develop their counselor identity and find creative, fun, and healing ways to connect with clients. I also share some insights and experiences I wish I had learned during my educational journey and early career.
I’m also here to help doctoral students who might need some support during the thrilling yet challenging times of finishing a tough program. Some doctoral programs require supervision during a practicum, but these meetings can be on a case-by-case basis, too. We can chat about things like your future job prospects, writing your dissertation and doing research, figuring out who you are as a Counselor Educator, dealing with PWIs and academic systems as a BIPOC student, and balancing the demands of a doctoral program, and more.
My supervision style is based on the Integrated Developmental Model and my teaching pedagogy mentioned above.
Speaker
I’m passionate about educating and training counselors-in-training, but I also enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of consulting and presenting on various topics, such as:
• Personalizing Self-Care
• Foundations of Couples Counseling
• Foundations of Family Counseling
• Emotion Regulation
• Cognitive Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Culturally Responsive Counseling
• Parenting Strategies
Scholar
If I’m being honest, I’m not a big fan of professional writing or publishing manuscripts. It’s clear that not everyone’s work gets published or shared widely. (Hello, systemic barriers…) But I’ve had to do my fair share of research to keep my teaching positions over the years, and I’ve actually enjoyed some of these projects. :) To be fair, I am a big fan of qualitative research. People’s stories are important to share and catalog.
Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Even though I’m not actively seeing clients, I will always be a healer and a guide at heart. I specialize in supporting clients holistically by using a combo of Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Psychotherapy, relational systems/dynamics, community-oriented healing and advocacy, liberation-focused approaches, racial identity development, nutrition, and sex-positive approaches. I’ve had a variety of clinical experiences including working with:
Populations:
• Military Families
• Couples
• AFAB Adolescents
• Sexual Assault Survivors
• High Achieving (Black) Women
Presenting Concerns:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD and CPTSD
• Low Self-esteem
• Perfectionism
• Financial Insecurity
• Exploring Gender and Sexual Identity
Testimonials
Hear what others have to say about Head to Heart
I am always excited to refer trainees to Dr. H. Her passion for the field, awareness, & ability to support clinicians in considering & understanding the sociopolitical impacts of clients’ inner and outer experiences makes her an amazing supervisor & educator.
Shanice N. Armstrong
PhD, LPC (TX)
Colleague
I am blown away by the value and knowledge Karena brings to the field. She embodies compassion, sincerity, trustworthiness, and resourcefulness. Her genuine love and passion for people, changing the world, and challenging the way we think is truly inspiring.
Susan harper
LPCC (KY)
Colleague
Karena provides a non-judgmental, competent and empowering environment to grow as a professional and individual. The ability she has to create a safe space while simultaneously providing critical feedback and challenging questions to expand your perspectives embodies the spirit and the importance of the work we do in this profession. I appreciate having the priceless mentorship along my journey.
Nyomi Tarpley
LPC (VA)
Colleague
Dr. H will guide you with compassion. She challenged me to think beyond typical theoretical approaches. I gained an understanding of how the body is related to overall well-being. Working with Dr. H will help you gain confidence professionally & personally!
B. Smith
Former Supervisee
Dr. Heyward has a unique ability to meet you exactly where you are as a clinician, while simultaneously nudging you toward expansion of your perspective, understanding, and skill set. She asks the hard questions gently and invites accountability without shame. While her knowledge of counseling theory and experience in the field are vast, she remains approachable and non-judging to create a special balance between accessibility and expertise.
J. Lackey-Tatest
Former Student / Supervisee
- Dr Heyward’s extensive knowledge on the polyvagal theory inspires one to learn more about the deep connection between the mind and nervous system. Being under Dr. Heyward’s guidance feels like a true privilege and blessing. Her profound knowledge isn’t just a tool; she uses it to personally support, guide, and uplift you.
Trish Hodges (MA)
Former Student / Supervisee
Dr. Heyward is well-respected in the counseling field and exudes a strong work ethic as a counselor educator and clinical supervisor. She is committed to interweaving DEI in her work and seizing opportunities for growth for those she teaches and supervises.
Mary Hinson
Ph.D., LCMHCS (NC)
Colleague