Heather Tustison

Heather Tustison, LCPC, NCC

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Heather Tustison is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She has been a professional counselor since 2006 and in Private Practice since 2008. Her degree is a Master's of Marriage and Family Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University. She is the Clinical Director at her practice, supervising graduate student interns from area universities as well as professionals seeking clinical licensure. Heather specializes in marriage and family counseling. Her passion is to improve satisfaction in all relationships – with self, with another, and socially. She has further honed her proficiency in communication skills, conflict management, and identifying primary needs. She has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Heather regularly integrates creativity, art, and Gestalt techniques into her counseling. She frequently teaches workshops on Art Therapy for professionals and Gestalt intervention techniques to utilize in the counseling session.

ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE

While counseling is her main passion, leadership and service to her profession are another. She trains regularly on Leadership Development skills and mentors fellow counseling organizations nationally. She is known for her proficiency in ethical dilemmas, integration of spirituality in counseling, creative arts, communication, conflict resolution, and marriage and family counseling. Heather has served Idaho Counselors proudly over the last two decades with the Idaho Counseling Association, serving two years as the Idaho Counseling Association President, served as ACA Western Region Chair, ACA Branch Development Committee, Idaho Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, International Association of Psychology and Counseling - Idaho Chair, and currently serves on the board of the American Mental Health Counselors Association of Idaho. She was appointed AMHCA Western Region Chair last year.

GOALS

As Western Region Director, I hope to represent the interests, needs, and concerns of mental health counselors in the Western Region and serve as a liaison between the states and the national organization. Currently, the Western Region has 13 states, of which only 5 have associations affiliated with AMHCA. Four states are in the process of becoming state chapters, and collaboration with other states to support their development is underway. Consistent monthly meetings are hosted to allow time to collaborate and discuss state-specific issues. A region listserv for state leadership has been created to communicate current events and continuing education opportunities for members in the region.

CANDIDATE VIDEO

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AWARDS AND HONORS

  • 2025 AMHCA Outstanding State Chapter Award 
  • Supervisor of the Year – Idaho State University, 2012, 2016
  • 2015 Robert Rencken Emerging Leader Award – American Counseling Association
  • 2015 American Counseling Association State Branch Advocacy Award - Idaho
  • Distinguished Service “Medal of Honor” Idaho Counseling Association, 2011

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Board Member and Chair, Families, ETC, Northwest Nazarene University, 2019-2026
  • Board Member and Chair, Treasure Wellness Counseling and Training Center, 2018-2026

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

I have presented consistently in my state, nationally, and internationally a variety of subject matter:

  • Ethical Considerations in Telemental Health Counseling
  • Establishing Healthy Boundaries and Rules with Couple Clients 
  • Creating Connections and Advocating
  • Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values: Experiences from Professional Leaders 
  • The Ethical Incorporation of Spiritual Competencies in Counseling
  • ACA Western Region Branch Development Workshop - Leaders across States
  • Helping Angry Couples Communicate
  • Leadership Development Institute - Idaho Counseling Association 
  • Creating Connections: Taking Professional Advocacy to the Next Level
  • Filling the Leadership Pipeline - American Counseling Association - Leadership Development Institute 
  • Leadership and Ethics: Presidential Experiences within Professional Counseling Associations
  • Advocating for the Profession: Creating Connections
  • Counseling Ethics – Strategies and Struggles
  • ACA Western Region Leadership Development Workshop
  • Mission/Vision Statements
  • Team Playing – Essential Qualities of a Leader 
  • Boosting Your Membership
  • How to Be a One Voice Advocate
  • Getting and Retaining Leaders
  • Effective Fundraising and Conferences
  • Creating Connections: The Foundations of Professional Advocacy
  • Leadership Development Institute
  • The Significance of Relational and Intrapersonal Needs
  • Leadership in Action
  • We’re Thinking Forward – Moving into the Future as a Professional Counselor
  • The Art of Getting Your Needs Met
  • Leadership Development Institute - Idaho Counseling Association
  • Gestalt Interventions and Activities: Practical Experiential Techniques, Applications, and Demonstrations