VANCOUVER, WA, September 09, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Heidi L. McKinney, PhD, LMFT, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Marked by her expertise in the therapeutic process and commitment to advancing integrated behavioral health care, Dr. McKinney has established a prominent career in marriage and family therapy. For the past four years, she has served as a part-time professor at National University in San Diego, California, where she teaches courses in marriage and couples therapy with a focus on research methods, systemic intervention and evidence-based practices. Recognizing the challenges of entering academia and the importance of maintaining visibility and connections within the field, she considers securing this position among her most significant achievements.

In addition to her role at National University, Dr. McKinney contributes to PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Washington, as a behavioral health specialist and clinical instructor. In these roles, she provides direct patient care using the biopsychosocial model, supervises clinical staff and interns and integrates behavioral health services within various medical settings. She has also been a psychotherapist at the facility since 2016, specializing in marital and couples therapy. Her leadership in these capacities reflects her commitment to holistic patient care and professional development within her team.

A highlight of Dr. McKinney's tenure at PeaceHealth was her participation in the Collaborating to Heal Addiction and Mental Health in Primary Care (CHAMP) psychiatry research study from 2021 to 2023. During this time, she vetted and referred patients to be part of the program, ensured they received full care management and attended monthly meetings with the University of Washington's behavioral health and psychiatric research team. In 2022, she presented the study's findings at the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) behavioral health seminar, successfully advancing programs that benefit the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of patient care.

Prior to her tenure at PeaceHealth, Dr. McKinney operated a private practice from 2003 to 2019. During this period, she provided therapeutic services to individuals, couples and families in collaboration with additional health care experts, further honing her skills in marriage and family therapy and establishing herself as a trusted practitioner in the community.

Dr. McKinney's academic background has been crucial in shaping her professional journey. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in marriage and family therapy sciences with a specialization in medical family therapy from Northcentral University in 2020. Determined to make an impact outside the classroom as well, she was part of the Delta Kappa Honor Society and joined the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2020. She also holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University, awarded in 2003, which provided foundational training in therapeutic techniques and relationship dynamics. Her educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in social science with an emphasis in psychology from Trevecca Nazarene in 1991.

To augment her knowledge and qualifications, Dr. McKinney is licensed as a marriage and family therapist by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), a credential she has maintained since 2007, and has been an Approved AAMFT Supervisor since 2020. Her scholarly contributions include authoring a dissertation on the integrated behavioral health care model for patients being treated for type 2 diabetes — a project that highlights her interest in bridging mental health care with medical treatment for improved patient outcomes.

Throughout her career, Dr. McKinney has been actively involved with several professional organizations that support ongoing education and collaboration among practitioners. Recognized as a clinical fellow of AAMFT and the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, she also contributes to the student advisory board at National University, reflecting her dedication to mentoring emerging medical professionals.

Beyond her vocational pursuits, Dr. McKinney supports civic initiatives such as Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, which strives to enrich the Vancouver community through live performances and musical education.

Happily married and a proud mother of two children, Dr. McKinney is deeply devoted to her family life and enjoys hiking, kayaking, attending live plays and reading historical fiction as a balance to her work responsibilities. She attributes much of her success to the unwavering support of her husband — a source of encouragement throughout her educational endeavors and professional milestones. Inspired by an early interest in psychology and a desire to help couples and families improve their lives, she continues to seek a deeper understanding of relationships and human behavior through ongoing study.

Looking to the future, Dr. McKinney remains eager to expand her knowledge of psychotherapy treatments by learning various theories and models to stay relevant for both her patients and students. With a longstanding passion for academia, she aspires to continue teaching emerging marriage and family therapists while encouraging them to remain enthusiastic about their potential contributions to their communities and the health care sector at large.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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