Meet Heather

Helping Trauma-Impacted Couples Heal & Thrive

Dr. Heather MacIntosh combines decades of research with practical tools to support couples who struggle with trauma.

Her mission is to make evidence-based relationship resources accessible for both clients and therapists.

PhD in Clinical Psychology, specialization in trauma and couple therapy. Associate Professor at McGill University. Recognized speaker internationally. Author of books and peer-reviewed articles. Over 20 years of experience working with trauma-impacted couples.

Workshop Formats

Flexible Options for Your Needs

PhD in Clinical Psychology with specialization in trauma and couple relationship dynamics.

Former professor at McGill University and recognized speaker in the field of long-term impacts of trauma on couple relationships and on developmental couple therapy for complex trauma.

Over 20 years of experience researching and working with trauma-impacted couples.

Approach & Philosophy

Earned Secure Attachment – The Goal of Her Work

Heather B. MacIntosh, PhD, CPsych, is a clinical psychologist and professor at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She specializes in understanding how trauma impacts couple relationships and developing therapy approaches tailored for survivors of trauma.

A Bit About Heather

Heather’s teaching, research, consultation, and writing focus on trauma, interpersonal relationships, and psychotherapy. She has received McGill’s H. Noel Fieldhouse Award for Distinguished Teaching, as well as numerous awards and grants for her work in trauma and couple therapy.

Her research began with sexual abuse survivors using traditional couple therapy models. She found that many survivors struggled with the high emotional intensity of standard therapy, which sometimes left them feeling overwhelmed, shut down, or disconnected from their partner. These challenges inspired Heather to develop Developmental Couple Therapy for Complex Trauma, a model designed to help couples understand trauma’s impact, build relational skills, and work safely through trauma processing and intimacy. Couples who have participated in this model report feeling safe, understood, and supported in both their relationship and personal healing.

Lives in Lancaster, Ontario, balancing research, writing, and hands-on work with her herd.