Kristen Helfrich

Hello! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 18 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field. While I've been independently licensed for the past 5 years, supporting others through life's challenges has been at the heart of my career from the very beginning.

There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to hold everything together while quietly struggling, whether that's with substance use, anxiety, depression, or the emotional weight that can come with pregnancy and the postpartum period. I work with adults navigating exactly those kinds of challenges, and I understand that no two journeys look the same. My job isn't to judge where you are, it's to meet you there. I know reaching out isn't easy and you don't need to have everything figured out before we start. We'll go at a pace that works for you, and work together to find practical tools and strategies that actually fit your life.

We'll work on identifying the thought patterns and habits that have been getting in your way, so you can start feeling more grounded and more like yourself again. I go deep with clients navigating substance use concerns and with new or expecting mothers facing the emotional shifts that come with pregnancy and postpartum, because I know how isolating those experiences can feel when no one around you seems to understand. We use practical, evidence based tools alongside mindfulness to help you stay present and build on your own strengths rather than focus on what's wrong with you. I work best with people who want an honest, collaborative partner rather than someone who hands them a script, someone ready to do the work even when it's uncomfortable.

Our first session is really just a conversation. I'll ask about what's been going on, your history, and what you're hoping therapy can do for you, and there's no pressure to have the right words ready. You'll leave that first conversation feeling heard and with a clearer sense of what we'll work on together, and depending on what feels right, we may even start introducing a coping tool or two before you go. If any of this sounds like what you've been looking for, I'd love to hear your story.