(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Helma. I’m a trauma-informed therapist with a deep commitment to helping individuals understand themselves on a more meaningful level and move toward lasting emotional healing. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the impact of past experiences, including trauma and attachment wounds. My approach is rooted in psychodynamic therapy and Compassionate Inquiry, which means we go beyond symptom relief and gently explore the deeper patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your current life. Often, what feels confusing or overwhelming has deeper meaning beneath the surface. Together, we take the time to understand what’s really there, in a way that feels safe and supportive. I also integrate client-centered and Gestalt approaches, creating a space where you can feel safe, supported, and truly seen. I value authenticity and collaboration in therapy, and I meet you where you are. At times, I may incorporate practical tools, such as mindfulness or cognitive strategies, but my primary focus is helping you reconnect with your inner experience and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I am especially attuned to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those navigating identity, family dynamics, and intergenerational patterns. My goal is to support you in gaining insight, feeling more grounded, and creating a life that feels more aligned, connected, and fulfilling.
In our first session, my priority is to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and not judged. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, so we will move at a pace that feels right for you. We will begin by talking about what brings you to therapy and what you’re hoping to get out of the process. You can share as much or as little as you feel ready to—there is no pressure to go into everything right away. I may ask some gentle questions to better understand your current challenges and your background. I also like to get a sense of your goals for therapy, whether that’s feeling less anxious, improving relationships, processing past experiences, or simply understanding yourself more deeply. Together, we’ll begin to explore what feels most important to you and how we can approach it in a way that feels supportive and meaningful. My approach is collaborative and client-centered, so I will check in with you about what feels helpful and what doesn’t. I may also share a bit about how I work and answer any questions you have about the process. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a clearer sense of how we might work together and whether this feels like a good fit for you. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and a little more grounded than when you came in.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the depth and intention behind the work we do together. I don’t focus only on managing symptoms—I help clients understand the deeper emotional roots of their experiences, especially in relation to trauma, attachment, and past relationships. My work is grounded in psychodynamic therapy and Compassionate Inquiry, which allows us to explore not just what is happening, but why it is happening. At the same time, I bring a strong sense of presence, empathy, and attunement into the room. Clients often share that they feel truly seen and understood in our work together. I create a space that is both supportive and gently challenging, where you can explore difficult emotions with compassion while also gaining insight into patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I also integrate client-centered and Gestalt approaches, which means we pay attention to your present-moment experience and how emotions show up in your body, thoughts, and interactions. This helps move therapy beyond just talking, into a deeper level of awareness and connection with yourself. As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I bring sensitivity to cultural identity, family dynamics, and intergenerational experiences, which can be an important part of healing for many clients. In terms of results, my goal is not quick fixes, but lasting and meaningful change. Clients often begin to experience a stronger sense of self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, more clarity in relationships, and a deeper sense of connection to themselves. Over time, this work supports not only symptom relief, but a more grounded, authentic, and fulfilling way of living.
I am best positioned to work with individuals who are seeking deeper self-understanding and meaningful, long-term change—particularly those navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Many of my clients come in feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns they don’t fully understand, and are ready to explore the “why” beneath their experiences. As a trauma-informed therapist, I work especially well with individuals from diverse and multicultural backgrounds who may be navigating identity, family dynamics, or intergenerational and ancestral patterns. I also support clients who are balancing cultural expectations with their personal values, or who may feel unseen or misunderstood in traditional spaces. My approach is well-suited for clients who are open to reflective, insight-oriented work and who want to build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. I integrate psychodynamic therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients connect with their emotions, understand their internal world, and create lasting change. I also work with individuals who are motivated to develop healthier coping strategies, improve their relationships, and move toward a more grounded, connected, and fulfilling life.
Trauma Informed Care
In my clinical work, I take a trauma-informed and integrative approach, with a primary focus on psychodynamic therapy and Compassionate Inquiry. My work is centered on helping clients understand the deeper roots of their emotional experiences, particularly how past relationships, attachment patterns, and trauma shape their present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I have experience working with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and substance use. In my practice, I create a client-centered and supportive environment grounded in empathy, authenticity, and collaboration. I incorporate Compassionate Inquiry to gently explore underlying emotional wounds and unconscious patterns, helping clients develop insight and self-compassion. I also integrate Gestalt techniques to bring awareness to present-moment experiences, supporting clients in connecting with their emotions, body, and internal processes in the here and now. While I may draw on CBT interventions when helpful—such as identifying unhelpful thought patterns—my primary focus remains on deeper, exploratory work that promotes lasting change. I tailor my approach to each individual, recognizing that healing is not one-size-fits-all. My goal is to support clients in building insight, reconnecting with themselves, and creating more meaningful and fulfilling lives.