Helen Bird(She/Her/Hers)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
New York
Codependency-Depression-Trauma-Relationships-Substance use recovery-Life transitions-
Helen Bird
Vetted
(She/Her/Hers)
See Helen's Details for:
Professional statement
Helen Bird is an experienced therapist offering holistic, humanistically oriented therapy with much empathy and understanding for the struggles and traumas of being human. She offers a safe, authentic relationship, and a warm, sensitive, and engaged style of therapy.
Helen has trained in and uses Gestalt and IFS therapy.
She has a deep understanding of 12-step programs, and is dedicated to supporting individuals through the recovery process.
Helen is enthusiastic about using humanistic psychotherapies that integrate mind, body, and spirit to work with clients as a whole person, not a diagnosis. Her eclectic treatment approach focuses on using the best interventions to help her clients discover and reconnect with what is true and right for them. She combines Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, Psychodynamic & Cognitive Behavioral therapies in her practice.
Helen received her Masters in Social Work from NYU, where she trained in developmental and ego psychology, and attended Hampshire and Hunter Colleges as an undergraduate where she focused on comparative religion, psychology & creative writing.
Helen has a lifelong commitment to emotional and spiritual healing. In addition to her own profound dives into personal therapy, She has been studying and practicing diverse spiritual teachings from early years.
She has been in Private Practice for 30 years.
She is currently offering phone and online therapy in New York State.
Work and Education
Years of Experience: 32 years
Private Practice, Psychotherapist, 1993 - Present
Fifth Avenue Center for Psychotherapy and Counseling, Psychotherapist, 2000 - 2002
Red Cross, 9/11 Mental Health Volunteer, 2001 - 2002
Catholic Charities Woodside Mental Health Clinic, Clinical Social Worker/Supervisor, 1998 - 2000
Teachers College, Columbia University, Practicum Instructor/Supervisor, 1997 - 2000
Community Counseling and Mediation, Senior Clinical Social Worker/Supervisor, 1993 - 1998
Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy Clinic, Psychotherapist/Clinical Fellowship, 1993 - 1997
Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Clinical Social Work Intern, 1992 - 1993
Elmhurst Hospital Outpatient Mental Hygiene Clinic, Psychiatric Social Work Intern, 1991 - 1992
Cabrini Hospice, Hospice Volunteer, 1989 - 1991
Center for Self Leadership, Training in Internal Family Systems, 2005
Ackerman Family Institute & the Children’s Advocacy Center, Training: Children & Trauma, 1997
Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy, Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist, 1997
Columbia University, Seminar in Field Instruction, 1995
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Training: Trauma, 1995
NY Open Center, Integrative Therapy Training (Jungian, Freudian, NLP, Psychosynthesis), 1992
New York University School of Social Work, Master of Social Work, 1992
Institute of Core Energetics, Core Energetic Practitioner, 1991
Hunter College, BA Comparitive Religion, 1989
Licensure
New York: 046069Languages
EnglishSpecialties
Codependency - Support around understanding and connecting with one's own feelings, wants, and voice; detaching from the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others
Depression - Providing support and promoting healing through hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life
Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse
Relationships - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating
Substance use recovery - Reducing and preventing the negative impact of drug and alcohol use and addictions on physical, emotional, and relational health
Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress
General expertise
Treatment approaches
Clientele
- Adults (24+)
- Parents
- Seniors (65+)
- Young adults (18-24)
Locations & Hours
Insurance
- Medicare
Out-of-pocket fees
- Individual sessions:$165 (60min)
- Sliding scale:$85 - $165
- Initial session:$165 (60min)
Additional session information
Out-of-network billing options
This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:
Payment options
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Zelle
Session frequency
Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.
- Weekly
- Every other week
- Multiple times a week
- As needed
Therapist's note
I can only accept Medicare clients within New York State.
Client testimonials
"Helen was very easy to talk to and accommodating. I look forward to future sessions with her."
- Zencare client • October 2020"Helen is supportive, validating, interactive, and helpful!"
- Zencare client • September 2020"Helen was awesome. She was kind, attentive, and fully engaged. We will be working together in further sessions. Helen is open and authentic."
- Zencare client • November 2021"Helen is excellent. She listens closely and offers intelligent, meaningful feedback. Her analysis is prescient and she offers tangible tools to address concerns, She is easy to speak with, is warm and accepting and it really does feel as if she cares about helping me. I highly recommend Helen to anyone seeking a new therapist."
- Zencare client • December 2021"She replied within the 72 hours and we now have a teleconference scheduled. Thank you, Helen!"
- Zencare client • September 2022