Dr. Heather Hale
Director, Special Needs Services
Doctor of Psychology
Dr. Heather Hale brings a wealth of special needs counseling experience to the parent and student clients of Great Lakes Educational Consulting. Heather has been in private practice in Lake Bluff, Illinois since 1997, specializing in adolescent individual, group, family therapy and substance-abuse assessment, placement and counseling. She is also a frequent speaker, providing teen, parenting and drug/alcohol education to parents – about the challenges adolescents face developmentally and socially; lifestyle choices related to drugs, alcohol and sexual/dating relationship behavior; and how to communicate effectively with a teen.
Heather has also worked with several highly-regarded adolescent programs and institutions, such as Mt. Sinai Hospital’s Mile Square Program, Families and Adolescents in Recovery and RUSH Medical University’s Behavioral Health Program. A graduate of The University of Kansas, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and concentration in English, she went on to complete her Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In addition to being a Doctor of Psychology, Heather is also a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor – and conducts youth substance abuse and chemical dependency assessments.
Outside of work, Heather’s interests include running, yoga, reading, travel and kickboxing. Recently married, she enjoys spending time with family.
“My focus on helping adolescents with special needs began in graduate school – and has been one of my primary focuses ever since. I work one-on-one with each to student, to understand their unique requirements – and help them reach the educational path that’s best for them.”