Story & Lesson Highlights with Dr. Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Dr. Heather, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Nature! It is always nature: animals, trees, butterflies, ocean, wind….and people. I love exploring connection, intimacy, and showing how communication is a love letter.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a relationship expert and best selling author, I have worked with thousands of individuals and couples in psychotherapy.  Speaking with the Heart, my recently released award winning book, is the message that I love to share in my. TedX and my keynote speeches. How can we show we care as we share?
It’s a talent and also a powerful gift worth exploring.

I have been blessed to be published in hundreds of journals, have an active TikTok channel, and have been featured on ABC-7 news, CBS, KCAL, was the relationship expert on KDOC Daybreak OC, and am published in Inc., Toronto Sun, Thriving Family Magazine,  Light + Life, BRAINZ, Scary Mommy, and Psychology Today.  I am a guest blogger for both Links for Shrinks and for Marriage Friendly Therapists.  And I love working in therapy and in coaching to help people transform their lives and their loves.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I remember announcing in swim lessons that I would swim on my fourth birthday, but not one day before. My birthday was a week or two away. My Mom wisely signed me up for a lesson on my birthday day and I, true to my word, swam across the pool for the very first time. And then we had cake with candles!

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My Mom was a paranoid schizophrenic and killed herself when I was 16. Moving through this grief and learning to start to listen to my needs and my hurts took years. I wasn’t used to caring for me or even really knowing who I was. Books and books and books and years of therapy helped me in my healing process and in my exploration of finding my voice. This was all part of the decision to be a therapist for others. I love helping people find their unique and powerful voice.

Another really difficult loss was losing my husband when my kids were young teens. It was sudden and a huge shock. Raising kids all on my own was a massive place of love, devotion, dedication, and choice. My kids are now off exploring the world, sharing their gifts and wisdom freely. This is one of my proudest achievements. But helping the three of us grieve all differently and all at the same time was tough! It helped me see I can’t take away anyone’s pain, but, I can bring a ton of love!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Relationship, communication, love and passion. My friends enjoy and help me share joy, laughter, awe, and wonder. And dance! I love adventure and so my fun times with friends are beautiful opportunities to explore the beauty of our world and of the vast variety of people and all us together!

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I helped make the world a little more full of joy, fairy dust, and love. That I helped people speak with their hearts and to let themselves laugh. That I helped people deepen in their self trust and passion in their life. That I left the world better off from being a little piece of the healing and expanding, and becoming. And that we laughed and loved wildly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/
• Instagram: Dr. Heather ♥️ Psychotherapist + Writer (@dr.heatherbrowne) • Instagram photos and videos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drheatherbrowne
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086978599835&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heather-m-browne-psyd-lmft-ma-huntington-beach
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/ulYsgmXJmdc
• Other: Book:
  https://a.co/d/eK1lIJ5

  TedX:
  https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/tedex

  TikTok:
  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTd7b3xEh/

Image Credits
none