Heather M. Garner, LCSW-C, CST

Certified Relational Life Therapist
Certified Sex Therapist
Clinical Supervisor
Founder of Garnering Change Psychotherapy
www.therealheathergarner.com

In the Baltimore–Washington area, Heather Garner is known for her warmth, irreverent humor, and fierce commitment to helping clients and clinicians have better, braver conversations about sex, relationships, and identity. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Relational Life Therapist, clinical supervisor, educator, and the founder of Garnering Change Psychotherapy. Heather specializes in working with individuals, couples, and polycules exploring consensual non-monogamy, kink, LGBTQIA+ identities, infidelity, sexual communication, and desire discrepancies.

Relationship Therapy & Sex Therapy:

Heather helps couples repair and reconnect after ruptures in trust—such as infidelity, problematic pornography use, or other relationship agreement violations. She also works with couples navigating major life transitions like new parenthood, identity shifts, or the “what now?” feeling that can come with becoming empty nesters. One of Heather’s greatest joys is working with couples who’ve realized they haven’t felt close—or sexy—in a long time. She helps clients rediscover intimacy, rewrite their erotic story, and get their groove back.

As a sex therapist, Heather integrates psychological and medical frameworks to support clients dealing with low and mismatched desire, erectile dysfunction, out-of-control sexual behavior, and the impact of pornography on intimacy. Her work is grounded in a holistic understanding of how culture, socialization, trauma, and attachment history impact sexual and relational health.

Therapist’s Approach:

Heather’s style is direct, affirming, and collaborative. She draws from Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and evidence-based sex therapy practices. She creates space for vulnerability, teaches communication skills that actually work, and helps clients challenge the cultural messages that have shaped their sexual self-image and relationship patterns. Her work is always trauma-informed, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive.

You Might Benefit from Therapy with Heather If You Are…

• Struggling with infidelity, trust issues, or relationship agreement violations
• Trying to reconnect with your partner after growing apart
• Facing intimacy challenges related to low and mismatched desire or erectile dysfunction
• Experiencing distress related to pornography use in your relationship
• Adjusting to major transitions like new parenthood or becoming empty nesters
• Exploring consensual non-monogamy, kink identity, or LGBTQIA+ identity
• A therapist seeking expert consultation, supervision, or training in sex therapy and relational work
  

 Education & Credentials:

Heather earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C), an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and a Certified Relational Life Therapist (RLT). Heather provides clinical supervision to LCSW-C candidates and postgraduate therapists and teaches graduate-level coursework in clinical social work and sexuality. She offers individual, couples, and group therapy, as well as professional consultation, both virtually and in-person at our Towson, MD location.