Elisa Helm

I've been doing this work for over 26 years — and in that time, I've sat with people through some of the hardest seasons of their lives. Grief that won't let go. Anxiety that keeps showing up. The specific kind of exhaustion that comes from military life. Depression that doesn't always have an obvious cause. I work with adults who are ready for something to actually shift — not just someone to talk at, but a therapist who brings real experience, genuine cultural awareness, and a no-nonsense commitment to helping you move forward.

My approach is multicultural and trauma-informed, and I offer a faith-integrated perspective for clients who want it — including those navigating Christianity alongside mental health challenges. I work with service members and their families, with people managing aging and loss, and with adults carrying anxiety and depression they've often tried to handle alone. I accept several major insurance plans including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Carelon Behavioral Health. Telehealth sessions available evenings across California.

Direct, warm, and tailored to you. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. The foundation of my work is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — we look at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, and we build practical skills you can actually use. For clients who've experienced trauma, I integrate trauma-focused CBT and Complicated Grief Therapy. When couples or family dynamics are part of the picture, I draw on the Gottman Method. For clients navigating faith and mental health together, I offer Christian counseling as one lens among many — not a requirement, but an option.

I'm solution-focused and strengths-based. My goal isn't to keep you in therapy indefinitely — it's to help you build insight and skills so you can live the life you want with more confidence and less weight.

Expect to be heard — fully, without judgment. I'll ask about what brought you in, what's been weighing on you, and what you're hoping to change. I create a calm, grounded environment where you can speak openly. By the end of our first session, you'll have a clearer sense of where we're starting, a few immediate tools to work with, and a shared plan for how we move forward. You'll leave with direction, not just a scheduled follow-up.