Heedaya Issa, Practicum Student

Heedaya Issa is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Old Dominion University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is passionate about supporting clients through life’s challenges with empathy, cultural awareness, and a strengths-based approach.

Before beginning her graduate studies, Heedaya worked as a medical assistant in a variety of specialty offices, including a pediatric practice that specialized in working with children on the autism spectrum. These experiences gave her a strong foundation in patient care, communication, and multidisciplinary collaboration. While she valued her experience in physical healthcare, she felt called to dedicate more of her work to the mental and emotional well-being of others.

Get to Know Me

As a Palestinian American, Heedaya values honoring each client’s cultural identity, personal experiences, and unique strengths throughout the counseling process. While a beginner counselor-in-training, she is committed to strengthening her knowledge and expertise in a variety of counseling areas. During her practicum at Roots and Wings Connections, she is focused on developing her clinical skills through direct client work, active listening, and evidence-based interventions, while upholding the highest ethical standards. Her professional interests include anxiety management, depression, life transitions, and the intersection of cultural identity and mental health.