Your journey to well-being starts here
Discover Red Pine Run's approach to therapy, rooted in nature, and tailored to unique needs of the client. We're dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care, using evidence-based interventions to facilitate your unique path to lasting well-being.
Rooted in Nature
Red Pine Run offers a diverse range of therapeutic approaches designed to meet you where you are. Methods include CBT, ACT, BSFT, Psychodynamic and Humanistic Therapy, and Creative and Mindfulness-Based Therapies. Drawing from the grounding influences of natural rhythms, Red Pine Run aims to inspire slowing down, paying attention, and creating the right conditions for healing to unfold. Just as plants and animals thrive with patience and attentiveness, being rooted in nature is understanding that growth happens through seasons, rest, connection, and consistent care.
Therapist
Heather Thornton LMSW-C
My goal as a therapist is to support my clients through change- whether that change is by choice or unexpected. I work with individuals, children, teens, and adults, as well as families, and am drawn to teaching skills that help clients deepen their understanding of self and build enduring resilience.
I approach each session with openness, sensitivity, and compassionate directness. My work is grounded in reflective questioning, affirming feedback, and clear guidance when appropriate. I incorporate therapeutic humor to build rapport and foster a relaxed, supportive environment.
I am a life-long Upper Peninsula resident, mom, animal lover, nature lover, aspiring mini farmer, artist, avid sunset and movie watcher.
A series of unusual events led me to seek a career as a therapist, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2022 with a master's degree in clinical social work and became fully licensed in the state of Michigan in 2025.
I offer a free 15-minute phone or telehealth consultation as a chance to gauge mutual understanding and if Red Pine Run's services are right for you.
What is therapy like at Red Pine Run?
Sessions are guided by client needs and pace. Like spending time in nature, therapy here isn't about forcing change but noticing and nourishing what's ready for growth. We focus on building awareness and finding practical ways to feel more grounded and supported in your daily life.
Slow down, take a deep breath, and show up just as you are.
Unique to Michigan
As a life-long Upper Peninsula resident, I bring a unique understanding of the challenges and strengths that come with living in the Mitten State. Michigan's diverse, natural beauty shapes how it's residents experience stress and resilience, offering a powerful backdrop for reflection and growth. The grounding presence of untouched landscapes fosters a deep appreciation for solitude, endurance, and connection- values that inform my therapeutic approach and the space I hold for clients.
