Heather Oliveira

September 2026 Cohort

Hello! My name is Heather Oliveira (she/they), and I am currently completing my Master of Counselling through the University of Lethbridge. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dalhousie University, where I completed research on emotion regulation in long-term couples and how couples coping with low sexual desire navigate sexual rejection. I also worked in the Couples and Sexual Health lab under the supervision of Dr. Natalie Rosen, which deepened my interest in relationships and life transitions. 

Before pursuing psychology, I spent decades in the hospitality industry, where my love of food and passion for connecting with people allowed me to build meaningful interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This work also strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and ability to create welcoming, inclusive environments.

When it comes to counselling, my approach is integrative, with a primary focus on humanistic and client-centred perspectives. In other words, I focus on the individual, their strengths, and their goals in counselling. I believe that every person is an expert in their own life, and my role is to walk alongside them to achieve their goals and develop the skills to cope with life’s challenges. I strive to create a warm, empathic, and non-judgmental space where clients feel supported as they explore their experiences. My goals as a counsellor are to empower my clients through deepened self-awareness and self-acceptance, and to equip them with skills to improve their relationships and cope with challenges.  I look forward to supporting you in your journey and am excited to be part of the counselling intern team at Couch of HOPE.