Helen  Bird
Zencare Vetted

Helen Bird

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
New York Accepting Online
Updated December 31, 2022

Specialties & Expertise

  • Substance use recovery
  • Trauma
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Relationships
  • Life transitions

Professional statement

Helen Bird is a holistically oriented Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Greenwich Village, New York City. She specializes in trauma recovery, including recovery from sexual abuse and assault, substance use and addictions, anxiety, depression, and binge eating disorder. She has a deep understanding of 12-step programs, and is dedicated to supporting individuals through the recovery process. She has been in private practice for over 25 years.

Helen's work is guided by the understanding that each person has their own deep inner perfection of being. Clients may have lost touch with this, or feel they cannot access it enough to let the best parts of us run their lives; Helen is trained to guide clients back to this wonderful part of them, and in helping them regain it, along with their truth and joy. She offers a safe, authentic relationship, and a warm, sensitive, and engaged style of therapy.

Helen is enthusiastic about using humanistic psychotherapies and integrating mind, body, and spirit to work with clients as a whole person, not a diagnosis. Her eclectic treatment approach focuses on finding one’s truth and happiness and using the best intervention to help her clients. She combines Gestalt therapy, Internal Family Systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy 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 creative writing, comparative religion, and psychology.


Message to clients

People seeking therapy are often feeling frightened, alone and in great emotional turmoil and pain.
It is my priority to be present with sensitivity, empathy, and respect for who you are.
I use a synthesis of humanistic psychotherapies, body/mind/spirit interrelation, and grounding in classical theories. I will work with you as a whole person, not a diagnosis.
The right fit with a therapist is crucial to success of the therapy. Please come in for a free consultation.


Specialties

Substance use recovery - Reducing and preventing the negative impact of drug and alcohol use and addictions on physical, emotional, and relational health

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

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

Relationships - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

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




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

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:

  • Super billing
  • Courtesy billing
  • Direct billing
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.


Location(s)

Online Sessions (New York)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 9:00am-7:00pm
  • Thu 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 30 years

Private Practice, 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
Gestalt Associates For Psychotherapy, Clinical Fellowship in Gestalt Therapy, 1992 - 1996
Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Clinical Social Work Intern, 1992 - 1993
Elmhurst Hospital Outpatient Mental Hygiene Clinic, Psychiatric MSW 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
Columbia University, Seminar in Field Instruction, 1995
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Training: Trauma, 1995
NY Open Center & Institute of Core Energetics, Integrative Therapy Training (Jungian, Freudian, NLP, Psychosynthesis, and Gestalt), 1992
New York University School of Social Work, MSW, 1992
Hunter College, BA, 1989


Licensure

New York: RO46069


Languages

English


Client testimonials

"She replied within the 72 hours and we now have a teleconference scheduled. Thank you, Helen!"
- Zencare client • September 2022
"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
"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 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