
Meryl Heyliger, PhD
Licensed psychologist and partner in helping you to cultivate the life you want.
© Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger. All rights reserved.
Meet Dr. Heyliger
With over 20 years of experience supporting children, adults, and families, Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger is dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. As a school psychologist, school counselor, and independent practitioner, she has guided clients through anxiety, life stress, parenting challenges, depression, attention difficulties, and more. Dr. Heyliger specializes in working with adults and children (ages 10+), offering personalized care tailored to each client’s unique needs.Dr. Heyliger creates a supportive, safe environment where clients feel heard and empowered. Her thoughtful, goal-oriented approach helps individuals build confidence, navigate difficult decisions, and move toward a more fulfilling life.Dr. Heyliger earned her PhD from the University of Maryland at College Park and completed advanced training at the Washington School of Psychiatry. She stays current in her field through ongoing professional development and provides culturally competent services that honor the unique experiences of every individual she works with.

SERVICES
Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger believes that empowering individuals, opening up possibilities, and building a greater sense of competence are all crucial aspects of therapeutic work. She encourages clients to explore how their choices align with their values and to reflect on the actions that move them closer to—or further away from—the life they desire. Whether working with children, families, or individual adults, Dr. Heyliger emphasizes the importance of being present and aware, helping clients recognize when they are overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions. By focusing on these areas, clients can shift to healthier habits and develop the tools needed to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from living fully.Specifically, Dr. Heyliger provides services for:
















Options for Therapeutic Support
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
This action-oriented approach encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings, rather than avoid or suppress them. It focuses on acknowledging the full spectrum of one’s emotional experience and helps people live a meaningful life, even in the presence of challenging emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This structured, time-limited approach helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. It aims to change behaviors by promoting healthier ways of thinking and encourages the development of effective coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
This specialized treatment is designed to help parents and caregivers support children dealing with anxiety or OCD. The evidence-based approach empowers adults to understand their child's struggles while reducing accommodations that may unintentionally reinforce anxious behaviors. Through a step-by-step, guided process, adults learn to encourage behavioral change in their child, fostering a sense of independence and resilience.
School-based consultation and intervention

Parent consultation

Emotional/behavioral screening



RESOURCES
Spring brings the opportunity for renewal and growth. It's a perfect time to reflect on where we are and how we want to move forward in life. Just as trees grow and flowers bloom, you too have the potential to grow and thrive. Sometimes however, life's challenges can make surviving not thriving your priority. If this is the case for you, seeking support might be a great way to get unstuck or reduce overwhelmed feelings. There are resources, including therapy, that can provide space for you to explore your feelings, gain clarity, and find ways to move through difficult emotions. Embrace the season of change by taking the first step toward your own personal growth and healing.

Suggested Reading & Podcasts
- Black People Breathe: A Mindfulness Guide to Racial Healing by Zee Clark
- all about love: new visions by bell hooks
- Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard adn How to Make it Easy by Daniel T. Willingham
- Anxious Generation How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness By Jonathan Haidt
- Armchair Expert Podcast
- Motherhood in Black and White Podcast
Contact
Please call or email for consultation or to book your appointment today. I have availability for telehealth (remote therapy) sessions.Check out psychologytoday.com for more on Dr. Heyliger's specialties and the clients she serves.Please note, Old City Psychology does not accept insurance at this time.
Thank you for reaching out to take steps toward cultivating the life you want. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
