Helena Whittaker, MACFT

Pronouns - she/her

Approach to Therapy:

I practice a systemic, non-pathologizing, holistic approach to healing, drawing from various therapeutic modalities such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness. No matter what approach I draw from, my foundational theory is in attachment science. In the therapy room, I use an attachment lens to build emotional intelligence and self-regulation with both adults and children. I view each person as an expert in their life and adopt a collaborative approach to therapy. Together, we can explore new perspectives and find a path that works for you when confronted with life's challenges. I prioritize honesty, compassion, and a sense of humor in our therapeutic relationship.

Therapy is a space to challenge dominant cultural narratives, delve into systemic injustices, and pave a path forward.  As a white therapist, I am committed to acknowledging and addressing inequality and generational traumas that have affected BIPOC clients and communities. I strive to be an active force for social change in the therapy room and my community. I am proud to be an LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive clinician.

Clinical Interests:

I work with relationships of all kinds! I am trained to assist families, couples, and individuals in healing. My clinical interests lie in supporting parents, unpacking religious trauma, addressing systemic issues, providing care for perinatal mental health, and supporting those who struggle with anxiety and depression. As a former nanny, I am thrilled to work with families with children of all ages, using my education in the arts to bring out each child's unique creative voice through poetry, storytelling, and imaginative play. I have experience working with parents of disabled children and understand the unique emotions (grief, guilt, jealousy, anger - joy!) that this population experiences. I recently enjoyed co-leading a therapeutic group working with mothers of children with high support needs disabilities and found the group to be incredibly meaningful. I have clinical training in psychedelic integration, and approach substance use collaboratively, with a safety-oriented, harm-reductionist stance.

I have an eclectic background, as therapy is my second career. I have a long history both in the service industry and in the performing arts – your classic actor/bartender type. I’m grounded in the realities of what it means to be a worker and have successfully helped service industry folks navigate their unique challenges. My experience as a former actor gives me an advantage in working with creative types looking to overcome performance anxiety and the emotional turmoil of auditioning and performing.

Education and Training:

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida and Master's in Couple and Family Therapy at Adler University. I am a member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy).

Helena is directly supervised by Kristen Herdegen, LMFT.

3 Things I Love:

Weightlifting, paint-by-number, and reading with my two cats on my lap. 

Helena is supervised by Kristen Torian, LMFT.

Helena can be reached at helena@amandaatkinschicago.com.