My name is Paige Helms. I have always believed in the power of storytelling. It is an ancient human practice that helps us learn, adapt, and connect deeply with the experience of being alive.
In therapy, I like to imagine everyone’s story as a novel with different parts; the first few chapters were written before birth and include intergenerational trauma, family of origin, where life started- ethnicity, race, religion, and social class. The next few chapters were likely written about you from the perspective of someone else, or a writer who had the ability to inflict anything on your character; these chapters shape our attachments, self-esteem, and how we view the world.
Today you are in the middle of this book. Maybe you are here because you are stuck and don’t know how to write your own story at all. Maybe you wrote some of it and are looking back for a rewrite. Maybe you would like to re-read from the beginning with less pain. Maybe you are making outlines and plans for the next chapters.
Wherever you are in the process, I am there too. I am committed to taking the time to build rapport, build trust, and create a sense of safety in the room for you to be vulnerable. I want your story to be one that feels authentic, honest, and your own.
My Philosophy
I love working with the out of the box thinkers, empaths, and the weird and wonderful. I see my role in therapy as a provider of a safe place to be genuine, authentic, and vulnerable with compassion and without judgement - a place to create change. It is important to me to take the time to understand everything you bring to the table to help create goals with you, not for you.
I believe deeply in the power of therapy and the capacity for a therapeutic relationship to create change for the better. I would never have dreamed of sitting in a therapist’s chair before I sat on a therapist’s couch. I know this work from the inside out and trust this process.
My Specialties
I specialize in both trauma and neurodivergence. I approach Autism spectrum and ADHD as a way of being not disorders in need of "fixing". I also work with high acuity individuals who have a history of higher levels of care. I have extensive experience in working with adolescents and adults experiencing Complex Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Eating disorders, psychosis, and self-injury. While I do not conduct custody evaluations, I am comfortable working with families navigating divorce and co-parenting. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming.
Modalities and Certifications
I adopt an individualized and person centered approach with strong narrative therapy themes and fun metaphors. I use evidence-based practices such as EMDR (Eye movement desensitization reprocessing), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
Evergreen Certifications: Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist 2022
DBT specialist 2022
EMDR Trained through Compassion Works
I am a board approved LPC- Supervisor
Experience
Education
Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver, 2016
Bachelors in Anthropology, minor in psychology from the University of North Texas, 2012
TX License #77391
Work Experience
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Jail Forensics Team- current
The Eating Recovery Center Virtual Intensive Outpatient Services
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD community services
The Montrose Center Hatch youth Program (volunteer)
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ―
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist