Holger Heap, PhD, LPC, NCC

Write a brief paragraph about yourself.Dr. Holger Christian Heap is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he teaches graduate courses in the CACREP-accredited master’s program. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Holy Cross, a CACREP-accredited program, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University. Dr. Heap is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and a National Certified Counselor.

Dr. Heap brings clinical experience across a range of mental health and substance use treatment settings, including intensive outpatient, residential, and community-based care. His work has included individual, group, and family counseling, clinical supervision, staff training, and psychoeducational programming. He continues to work part-time in private practice, which informs his teaching and mentorship of graduate counseling students. His scholarly interests focus on substance use counseling, relapse processes, counselor wellness, and grief-informed practice. His doctoral research explored the lived experiences of substance abuse counselors following client relapse, with particular attention to the emotional and professional impact of recovery work. Dr. Heap views teaching as a relational and experiential process. He emphasizes reflective dialogue, applied skill development, and the integration of theory with real-world counseling practice to prepare students for ethical, culturally responsive clinical work.

Area of Expertise

Dr. Heap’s areas of expertise include substance use disorders and recovery counseling, relapse dynamics, counselor experiences in addiction treatment, and grief-informed clinical practice. His work integrates trauma-informed care, psychoeducation, and culturally responsive approaches to treatment. He is particularly interested in supporting both clients and clinicians as they navigate the complexities of recovery-oriented systems of care.