
© Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger. All rights reserved.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger has supported children, adults, and families with care, curiosity, and a steady, encouraging presence. As a school psychologist, school counselor, and independent practitioner, she has helped clients work through anxiety, life stress, parenting challenges, attention difficulties, depression, and the everyday ups and downs that come with growing and changing.Dr. Heyliger loves working with children and adults (ages 8+), offering care that’s personal, thoughtful, and tailored to each individual. She creates a warm, safe space where people feel heard and understood—an environment where they can explore their experiences, gain clarity, and build confidence to move forward. Her approach is collaborative, practical, and empowering, helping clients make meaningful shifts and move toward a more grounded, 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 learning and is committed to providing culturally responsive services that honor the unique stories and strengths of every person she works with.

Dr. Meryl S. Heyliger provides virtual and in-person therapeutic services for children, families, and adults, and conducts psychological evaluations for children and adults to better understand learning, attention, or emotional needs. Her work supports clients facing anxiety, stress, attention and learning challenges, life transitions, and moments of emotional overwhelm. Through both therapeutic care and comprehensive evaluation, she helps individuals better understand their experiences and identify the tools and strategies that will support meaningful progress.In therapy sessions, Dr. Heyliger helps people explore how their choices align with their values and identify what brings them closer to the life they want. Clients learn to build healthier habits, strengthen coping skills, and develop confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.Her psychological evaluations offer clear, practical insights into attention, learning, behavior, and emotional functioning. Each evaluation includes personalized recommendations that support success at home, in school, and in daily life.Whether meeting with a child, collaborating with a family, or working with an adult, Dr. Heyliger creates a grounded, supportive space where insight leads to growth, clarity, and meaningful change.Specifically, Dr. Heyliger provides services for:
















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

Psychological evaluation



RESOURCES

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.
