Hello! My name is Ann Marie Hefferan, founder of In The Now Counseling. I am a licensed professional counselor specializing in helping women navigate the challenges of marriage/romantic relationships, motherhood, and caregiving roles. I’m glad you are here!
Life experiences
I am passionate about the struggles women experience in these roles. This passion comes from my own experience as a mother, wife and caregiver. I’ve dealt with infertility, severe postpartum depression, anxiety, juggling the demands of work and motherhood, career-change and becoming a caregiver to an adult child who recently sustained a significant physical disability.
After twenty years of working in corporate America, I made a long-anticipated career change. I was unhappy for most of my career because I wasn’t doing work that was right for me. I finally reached a point where I was able to return to school to study counseling. This happened after getting years of feedback from co-workers, close friends and family that I should be a therapist due to my ability to listen and connect with people. I’ve always empathized and advocated for those I served.
Growing up
I’ve lived in the Pittsburgh area for all but two years of my life. I come from a close-knit family of seven girls (third in the birth order) and a large extended family. Due to my natural curiosity and interest in my sisters’ lives, I became the go-to sister for guidance when we were growing-up. Some commonly discussed topics were friendships, boyfriends, jobs, and college applications, among other things.
My parents
I’m proud to be a second generation therapist following in the footsteps of my father. He also made a career-change into the counseling field after teaching for 20 years in a public high school. My dad is the epitome of honesty and integrity. He did a great job of raising all girls. I never once recall him making a comment about having wished for a boy.
My mother set the bar extremely high when it comes to motherhood. She demonstrates absolute selflessness towards her children and grandchildren and loves her family unconditionally. She still tells us that she misses having her girls at home.
I’m fortunate to have been raised by excellent parents who instilled in me a strong work ethic, family and moral values.
Marriage and motherhood
My husband is my high school sweetheart. We’ve been married for 26 years and in a relationship for 31 years. At times I feel like we’re just starting out our life together, but when I reflect on the struggles we’ve endured, the hard times we’ve overcome and the number of joyous occasions we’ve celebrated together, I’m quickly reminded that this is not the case. I’m grateful to have grown-up with him.
We have an adult daughter and teenage son. At the age of 18, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I was attending a college that was 1.5 hours from my home. A decision was made to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh from the college I was attending so I could move back home. I knew I would need the help of my family.
We became parents to our daughter at the beginning of our sophomore year of college and that is when I got my first real dose of how life can get complicated and just plain hard. As difficult as motherhood can be at times, it has taught me to love like nothing else.
Education
I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree in communication and graduate at the same time as my peers with the incredible support of my family. Years later I earned my master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption College. I am a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania and a certified rehabilitation counselor.
Work experience
My professional work experience in counseling, prior to starting a private practice, includes working in a variety of settings. I worked with teenage mothers at a non-profit organization which provided a therapist and general support for women dealing with unplanned pregnancies, counseled high school students in a special education program at an inner-city high school, worked as in intake counselor at a non-profit counseling center and counseled adolescents and adults with disabilities at a state vocational rehabilitation office.
As a therapist specializing in helping women, I strive to create a space where you will feel safe and comfortable. When you enter my office, my hope is that you can take a deep breath and relax, knowing you will be listened to without judgment.
Contact Me
Please call us at (724) 503-6670 or email admin@inthenowcounseling.org if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. I offer free 15 minute phone/video consultations as a way to get to know me a little better prior to scheduling your first appointment.