Welcome to Spes Et Fortitudo Counseling

I believe in empowering you to navigate life's challenges with hope, courage, and resilience. My name is Marie Heidemann, LPC-Associate, M.S., M.Ed., and I am a trained clinical mental health counselor under the expert supervision of Fredericka Vyvlecka, LPC-S, Ph.D. I am dedicated to providing you with support and guidance in your counseling journey.

Whether you're seeking personal growth, overcoming obstacles, or simply looking for a listening ear, I am here to sit with you in your story. Your journey towards healing and self-discovery starts here, where your story matters most.

Let me assist you in crafting a path toward greater well-being and mental health. Together, we can forge a brighter future filled with hope, courage, and empathy. Your story is unique, and I am here to honor and nurture it every step of the way.

A little about me…

Therapy is a gift. Understanding our true selves as intended by God, our life attachments, learning resilience through challenging times, and discovering lasting joy are crucial aspects of our journey. I will be deeply honored to hold space for your story and walk alongside you as you seek healing and restoration in your life.

I hold degrees from Divine Mercy University (M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling), Boston College (M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction), and Arizona State University (B.A., Special Education).

I’m a clinical mental health counselor passionate about walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate healing, growth, and meaningful connection. My work is grounded in a trauma-informed, attachment-based approach that honors each client’s story and capacity for change.

I’m currently an Associate Sex Addiction Therapist (ASAT) Candidate, which means I’m trained to support both sex addiction and betrayal trauma with sensitivity and clinical insight. I am also a Certified Traumatologist through Green Cross International, and trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)—a research-backed method for processing and healing trauma.

My approach is also shaped by an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)-informed lens, helping individuals, couples, and families build safer emotional connections and stronger attachment bonds.

In addition to my work with trauma and addiction, I have experience supporting clients through:

  • Grief and loss, including death, ambiguous loss, and life transitions

  • Chronic illness and invisible health challenges

  • Prenatal and postpartum transitions, including identity shifts and relationship changes

  • Anxiety and complex depression

  • Divorce and relationship loss

  • Family dynamics, parenting challenges, and life transitions

My goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where healing and change are possible. I believe in the inherent dignity of each person, created in the image and likeness of God and unconditionally loved by Him.

I bring not only professional training but also personal insight to the work I do. I am a child of divorce and addiction, and those early life experiences have shaped my deep empathy and commitment to helping others find stability, connection, and healing in their own lives. I was married for 17 years before my spouse unexpectedly passed away—a profound loss that further deepened my understanding of grief and resilience.

Outside of the therapy room, I’m a mother to children ages 22 to 14. Originally from Arizona, I’ve called North Texas home for the past 18 years.

Before becoming a counselor, I spent 25 years teaching in non-profit, private, and public special education settings, drawing from experiences across Massachusetts, Arizona, and Texas. I’m a lifelong learner who enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and continuing to grow in both my personal and professional life. My faith is central to who I am, guiding me to maintain hope and find joy in every circumstance.

To hear more about my story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dts_nf65vwU