Helena Hillinga Haas Dream Big Wellness

Helena Hillinga Haas  MA, LMHC, ATR-BC

Helena specializes in helping children, teens, and adult family members coping with depression, loss, grief, anxiety, care-giver fatigue, chronic and terminal illnesses, and adjusting to big life, work, and/or home changes. 

 

Using a multitude of approaches, Helena guides clients in a holistic way that utilizes proven therapeutic methods. She uses art therapy, cognitive behavioral, humanistic, narrative, nature-based, and gestalt techniques to explore ways in which a client can best process and learn from their experiences, emotions, and thoughts. 

 

Each person’s journey is unique and Helena’s goal is to listen and provide tools that help a client feel hopeful, connected with oneself, and empowered to live in a way that is personally meaningful and authentic. Most important is that a client feels heard, safe and supported during the therapeutic process. 

 

Helena earned a Masters degree from The George Washington University in Art Therapy.  She gained licensure as a licensed mental health counselor in 2013. Helena has worked in the non-profit world for over 25 years. She has experience working in a multitude of areas, including work with individuals and families at an adult psychiatric hospital, memory care and nursing home facilities, at-risk youth alternative school, after school programs, and most recently at a pediatric hospital. In all of these locations, Helena facilitated both individual and group sessions.

 

Helena has also facilitated numerous workshops related to social emotional learning and skill development. Several years ago, she had the privilege of working with community leaders, educators, and teens in Sandy Hook. This was a life altering experience. Helena also co-facilitated many workshops for surgical nurses who were experiencing severe burn out. When possible, Helena enjoys taking continuing education classes to grow her own skills. She will complete a certificate in Ecotherapy from Pacifica Graduate Institute at the end of 2024.

 

Helena has lived and studied in many countries around the world and within the United States. She has teen children, a husband, an elderly parent, and several pets. Helena is first generation American and also understands from her own personal and work experiences, how challenging it is to live in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, where there are many responsibilities that each child, teen, or adult tries to embrace.

 

No matter what a client’s circumstances, Helena will work with him/her/them to find a way to find connection and community. These are two areas of focus that Helena believes can greatly help clients find a path forward.