About Heather
Heather S. Lonczak, PhD, is a psychologist with expertise in the clinical presentation, assessment, and treatment of severe psychiatric disorders. She is a certified DSM-5 interviewer and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and scientific reports focused on mental health and wellness.
Heather is also the author of a literary fiction novel and ten children’s books primarily aimed at promoting positive youth development, empathy, and gratitude.
She has won several awards for her books, including:
- iParenting Media Award for Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased
- Outstanding Creator Award for Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magic Turds
- Pencraft Literary Excellence Award for The Fragility of Light
- Pacific Book Winner for The Fragility of Light
- Literary Titan Book Award for The Fragility of Light
- Firebird Book Award for The Fragility of Light
- Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for The Fragility of Light
- Reader’s Favorite Book Award for The Fragility of Light
Heather lives in Seattle with her beloved family and pets.
A Message From Heather
As a psychologist and writer, my aim is to connect with readers in a way that promotes self-efficacy, empowerment and resilience, while also reducing the stigma of mental illness that so often serves as a barrier to recovery.
Qualifications
- 1994–1999: PhD in Educational Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 1990–1992: MA in Clinical Psychology, The State University of New York, Brockport, NY
- 1985–1989: BA in Psychology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Work Experience
- 2017–present: Freelance Author and Academic Editor
- 2020–2025: Psychometrist and Certified SCID Interviewer, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
- 2014–2016: Research Scientist and Program Evaluator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 2005–2013: Research Scientist, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Publications
Books
Heather has written a literary fiction novel and several children’s books;
- Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased
- Henry’s Ride
- My Friend Gideon
- Gus Becomes a Big Brother: An Adoption Story
- Fletcher and the Fledgling
- Penelope Windpipes: Learns the Power of Staying Calm
- Mighty Zoë: The Misunderstood Parrot
- The Fig Tree: A Lesson on Gratitude
- Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magic Turds: A Tale of Kindness and Gratitude
- Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased 2
- The Fragility of Light (literary fiction novel)
Journals
- Clifasefi, S. L., Lonczak, H. S., & Collins, S. E. (2017). Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program: Within-subjects changes on housing, employment and income/benefits outcomes and associations with recidivism. Crime & Delinquency, 63(4), 429–445. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128716687550
- Collins, S. E., Lonczak, H. S., & Clifasefi, S. L. (2017). Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): Program effects on recidivism outcomes. Evaluation and Program Planning, 64, 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.05.008
- Lonczak, H. S., Thomas, L. R., Donovan, D. M., Austin, L., Sigo, R. L. W., Lawrence, N., & Suquamish Tribe. (2013). Navigating the tide together: Early collaboration between tribal and academic partners in a CBPR study. Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Indigenous & Aboriginal Community Health, 11(3), 395–409.
- Osilla, K. K., Lonczak, H. S., Mail, P. D., Larimer, M. E., & Marlatt, G. A. (2008). Regular tobacco use among American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents: An examination of protective mechanisms. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6(3–4), 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1300/J233v06n03_06
- Lonczak, H. S., Fernandez, A., Austin, L., & Marlatt, G. A. (2007). Family structure and substance use among American Indian youth. Family Systems & Health, 25(1), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/1091-7527.25.1.10
- Lonczak, H. S., Neighbors, D., & Donovan, D. M. (2007). Predicting risky and angry driving as a function of gender. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 39(3), 536–545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2006.09.010
- Lonczak, H. S., Clifasefi, S., Marlatt, G. A., & Blume, A. (2006). Religious coping and psychological functioning in a correctional population. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 9(2), 171–192. https://doi.org/10.1080/13694670500145713
- Hawkins, J. D., Lonczak, H. S., Abbott, R. D., Kosterman, R., & Catalano, R. F. (2002). Overstating the behavioral effects of the Seattle social development project. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 156(11), 1155–1156.
- Lonczak, H. S., Abbott, R. D., Hawkins, J. D., & Catalano, R. F. (2002). Effects of the Seattle social development project on sexual behavior, pregnancy, birth, and STD outcomes by age 21. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 156(5), 438–447. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.156.5.438
- Lonczak, H. S., Huang, B., Catalano, R. F., Hawkins, J. D., Hill, K. G., Abbott, R. D., & Ryan, J. A. M. (1999). The social predictors of adolescent alcohol misuse: A test of the social development model. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(2), 179–189.
- James, W., Lonczak, H., & Moore, D. (1996). The role of denial and defensiveness in drug use among adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 5(2), 17–41. https://doi.org/10.1300/J029v05n02_02
- Strakowski, S., Lonczak, H., Sax, K. W., West, S. A., Crist, A., Mehta, R., & Thienhaus, O. J. (1995). The effects of race on diagnosis and disposition from a psychiatric emergency service. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 56(3), 101–107.