Haven Hester, ALC
she/her/hers CounselorContact
1410 Ben Graves Drive
Conference Training Center
Room 118
Huntsville, AL 35899
Campus Map
256.824.6203
Biography
Haven joined the UAH Counseling Center as a Staff Counselor after completing her graduate internship at the center and earning her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Auburn University. Prior to joining UAH, she gained valuable clinical experience working in both inpatient psychiatric and substance use treatment settings, where she provided care for individuals experiencing a broad range of mental health and substance use concerns. These experiences strengthened her clinical foundation and reinforced her commitment to providing compassionate, client-centered care that meets individuals where they are in their personal journey.
In addition to providing individual counseling, Haven serves as the Athletic Liaison for UAH Athletics. In this role, she collaborates with student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff to increase access to mental health services, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and promote the overall well-being and performance of UAH student-athletes. Through outreach, consultation, and advocacy, she is dedicated to fostering a culture that prioritizes mental wellness both on and off the field of competition.
Haven believes that meaningful change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. She strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences, increase self-awareness, and work toward lasting personal growth. Her counseling style is relational, collaborative, and thoughtfully challenging, helping clients identify patterns that may be contributing to current difficulties while building on their strengths. Drawing primarily from a psychodynamic perspective, Haven helps clients understand how early life experiences and significant relationships continue to influence their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. She integrates insight-oriented exploration with practical therapeutic strategies to help clients develop healthier coping skills, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change. Haven tailors her approach to each client's unique goals and needs, believing that counseling is a collaborative process that empowers individuals to build resilience, foster self-compassion, and lead more authentic and fulfilling lives.
