معرفی
Heather Morgan-Sowada serves as Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy University, teaching core courses including Practicum in MFT, Micro-counseling, and Research Methods. A licensed marriage and family therapist in Iowa and AAMFT clinical member, she maintains active clinical practice while leading academic initiatives.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Couple and Family Therapy, University of Iowa (2018)
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mount Mercy University (2012)
- BA in Psychology, Mount Mercy University (2009)
Morgan-Sowada's research pioneers family systems approaches to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), informed by her personal recovery journey, while advocating for transgender mental health through clinical leadership. Her work critically examines ethical boundaries in therapy, particularly regarding Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE), and promotes solution-focused brief therapy emphasizing client strengths over pathology.
Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on marginalized populations—her 2018 journal article on SOCE practices and doctoral dissertation on BDD attachment patterns demonstrate commitment to evidence-based interventions for complex mental health conditions.
Professional recognition includes:
- Mental Health Champion Award, Iowa Mental Health Counselor Association (2017)
As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate, she provides clinical oversight for therapy students and integrates supervision into graduate courses. Her grant activity centers on community-based initiatives rather than traditional research funding.
She founded The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic of Iowa at Cornerstone Brief Therapy, Inc. (2016) and directed the University of Iowa's LGBTQ Counseling Clinic, establishing specialized teams focused on underserved communities with trauma-informed, identity-affirming care models.
