Our Staff

April McElhenny is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience helping individuals navigate the complexities of trauma, identity, and healing. She is the founder of The Healing Quest PLLC, where her work is rooted in the belief that growth and transformation are always possible—even when the path feels uncertain or overwhelming.

April’s passion lies in helping clients uncover the deeper layers of their stories—those shaped by trauma, childhood wounds, and patterns of people-pleasing or self-abandonment. She specializes in trauma recovery, drawing from a blend of evidence-based approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic awareness, and attachment-based work. Her style is relational, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that safety, connection, and self-trust are the foundation of lasting change.

April is also a proud ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for clients of all identities. Her practice welcomes individuals across the spectrum of gender, sexuality, and expression, honoring the intersection of identity and trauma in the healing process.

April has extensive experience working with children and families. Early in her career, she volunteered for three years as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in California, advocating for the voices and needs of children in the foster care system. Her commitment to supporting children continued through her work at the Alaska Child Trauma Center, where she provided trauma-focused services for children impacted by abuse, neglect, and loss. She has supported children and teens in a variety of settings, helping them build emotional regulation, resilience, and a sense of safety in their relationships.

April lived in Alaska for nearly five years and has worked with the Alaska Native population since 2018. During this time, she helped expand access to care through telebehavioral health while advocating for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services. More recently, she served as the director of a behavioral health program for a small tribal government, where she led program development, provided clinical supervision, and offered telehealth therapy services to support culturally responsive care. Her work has centered on increasing access to trauma-informed services in rural and underserved communities, grounded in a deep respect for cultural values and intergenerational healing.

As the spouse of a retired military veteran, April understands the unique challenges military families face—not just during active service, but long after. She identifies as a military spouse with deep ties to this community and brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work. She has a particular passion for supporting military spouses who feel isolated, disconnected, or overwhelmed as they navigate frequent PCS moves, deployments, and the emotional weight of their own unprocessed trauma. Her goal is to help military spouses rediscover themselves, create meaningful support systems, and find grounding in their healing journey.

April is licensed to provide therapy in multiple states, allowing her to work with clients across a wide geographic area. This multi-state licensing reflects her commitment to increasing access to high-quality, trauma-informed care—especially for individuals and families who may live in rural, underserved, or transitional locations. Her telehealth practice is designed to meet people where they are, both literally and emotionally.

April also brings a personal lens to her work with neurodivergent clients. As someone with ADHD and a parent in a neurodiverse household, she understands firsthand the unique challenges, gifts, and misunderstandings that can come with these experiences. She is deeply committed to supporting clients—diagnosed or undiagnosed—who are navigating life through a neurodivergent lens, offering tools that are both compassionate and practical.

Many of the individuals and parents April works with initially seek therapy for challenges related to PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, social anxiety, low self-worth, or struggles with identity. Many of her clients find themselves stuck in cycles of burnout, emotional suppression, or difficulty setting boundaries—often rooted in long-standing trauma. She also works with parents who are committed to breaking generational cycles and fostering emotional resilience in their children.

Her approach is client-centered, collaborative, and deeply honoring of the healing process. Whether you’re just beginning your healing journey or continuing the work, April is dedicated to helping you feel seen, empowered, and supported every step of the way.