We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr Heather, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents grew up in the Great Depression and WWII. From living in poverty and fear, they both became unbelievably focused on their work ethic, character, and being aware and grateful for the simple things of nature.
We would spend an afternoon digging up vegetables for our dinner, or watching lightning strikes versus television. We baked, sewed, and read. Learning and exploring were vital to my parents and we spent long days at the beach or hunting for pine cones.
Treating others with respect was mandatory. And so when both of my parents struggled with alcohol and mental instability, it was with deep respect that I tried to help them. I began working at 14 1/2 to lessen some of the financial burden over my father’s head. And I have never stopped.
I have raised my children with the same love of nature, people, compassion and creativity. We are grateful to God for all the blessings. And thankful for the abilities bestowed when life is hard. That and the endless search for that perfect shell, flower, or four leaf clover.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Dr. Heather Browne, and I cultivate conscious communication for people who want to transform conversation and relationships from fear and judgment into embracing wisdom, compassion, and respect.
I am a TedX speaker, best seller author of:
Speaking with the Heart Transforming Your Relationship and Communication with Compassion and Connection
helping people recognize the power of communication. It is one of our most important skills that we have, and yet we don’t consider our understanding, approach, belief, and therefore, miss our possibilities. Living with a paranoid schizophrenic mother gave me a unique and powerful awareness that no one has the same reality, though we believe we do. Utilizing this revolutionary awareness has allowed me to transform communication within self and within all other types of relationship. This is the hidden key to acceptance. And this is my mission to share.
I have worked with thousands of individuals and couples in psychotherapy. Speaking with the Heart, my recently released book, is the message I shares in her TedX and keynote speeches.
How can we care as we share?
It’s a talent and also a powerful gift worth exploring. I’m published in hundreds of journals, has an active TikTok channel, has been featured on ABC-7 news, CBS, KCAL, was the relationship expert on KDOC Daybreak OC, and is published in Inc., Toronto Sun, Thriving Family Magazine, Light + Life, BRAINZ, Scary Mommy, and Psychology Today. I am a regular guest blogger for both Links for Shrinks and for Marriage Friendly Therapists.
I offer psychotherapy, coaching, workshops, and a weekly newsletter packed with tips and techniques to improve relationships and compassion.
Simply go to my website!
https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
My mom was a paranoid schizophrenic. And so the reality that she lived in was not the same as mine. And a lot of my childhood was spent upon trying to understand where she might be, and also at the same time where she wasn’t. There was a time that was really prominent when I was 12. And there were helicopters flying over the house. And she was afraid that they were coming to get her.
My father did what he always did, which is he told her “Ginny you’re crazy. They’re not coming to get to. This is all in your head.” But I remember watching my mom shaking and my father’s words were not helping. So instead of trying to tell her that her reality was not real, I asked myself, what does she really need? And what she really needed was to feel safe. So I grabbed my blue blanket and I threw it over her, and I held her. And I said, they’re not going to get you mommy. They’re not going to get you. I held her while she was shaking for a really long time. And when she finally came out she looked up at me and her eyes said “You believe me”.
I didn’t. I didn’t believe her reality. But I did believe she believed her reality. And in that moment, for the first time I realized that Compassion was the bridge.
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What if we look at compassion as the foundation for healthy relationships and human connection?
I’m Dr. Heather Browne and I’m a psychotherapist. I’ve been a couples specialist for 27 years. Sharing that compassion is the bridge to all relationships, connection, and intimacy has become my life’s work.
Sadly, my mom did not choose to continue her life. and she ended that connection for me and for everyone else when I was 16. Losing her is what catapulted me to wanting to be a psychotherapist. Not that I can save or reach everyone but I can certainly try.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
There are two.
1. Offering compassion and excellence. In the healing field, you need to listen, care, and come through. There are lot of empty promises made by others. Be mindful of what your skills are, how you present yourself, how you track progress and healing, and what you promise. Make sure you always give what you have promised. This cultivates powerful integrity which cultivates referrals. I come highly recommended. About 1/3 of my practice is from client and professional recommendations.
2. Yelp and Google. Never did I think these two would be such valuable areas. But they are. 1/3 of my calls come from someone finding me on Yelp or Google and being delighted at my reviews.
I never would have thought this would happen BUT be sure to market yourself here! It has been amazing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.heatherbrowne/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086978599835&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drheatherbrowne
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ulYsgmXJmdc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heather-m-browne-psyd-lmft-ma-huntington-beach
- Other: TedX https://youtu.be/4UYjdwHk7SU?si=e_-mOkcQlRBfnmKQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTd7b3xEh/ Book: https://a.co/d/eK1lIJ5