Meet Sierra
“Life is a roller coaster,” Sierra’s mother would always say to her. Within every roller coaster ride there are safety bars, belts, and harnesses to help support you through all its ups and downs. Sierra Helms is a State Intern Marriage and Family Therapist who has always admired the idea of being the safety strap for others when life seems as if it is plummeting downhill. It is only in human nature that people need other people to be there for them, to understand the motions, to hear the screams, and to support their ride in life with a non-judgmental, caring, and helpful calm presence.
Everyone’s life goes through ups and downs, but there is no need to go through them alone without the care, support, and help of another person. Sierra wishes to not give advice, but to inspire her clients with a new way of living, that has them holding onto their harness until it’s finally time to raise their arms and smile throughout the ride.
Sierra’s areas of focus are individuals, teens, couples, and families, who are struggling with life transitions, developmental transitions, relational issues, anxiety/stress, depression, SIB, eating disorders, and low self-esteem/confidence.
ProfessionAL INFORMATION:
Sierra graduated from UNLV with a B.A. in Psychology in the Spring of 2020. Passionately striving to learn more about the therapy field, her elective classes were focused on psychology or marriage and family therapy. During this time she was also employed as a Registered Behavior Technician, where she provided in-home and in-clinic Behavioral Therapy for children on the Autism Spectrum within the Vegas Valley. Shortly after graduating from UNLV, Sierra began her Master’s program in the summer of 2020 with Capella University online.
Sierra received outstanding grades throughout her education, and earned a “graduation with distinction”. Sierra was repeatedly invited to join the National Society of Leadership and Success, and was a member of Delta Phi Kappa during her studies at Capella University. She completed her graduate internship at the renowned Red Rock Counseling Center alongside her supervisor Susan Dow, MS, LADC, & LMFT.
Sierra will be expanding her educational pursuits in the next five years by becoming certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems, and Solution Focused Couples Therapy.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sierra’s a Nevadian native, born right here in the Las Vegas valley. Although being a native, Sierra has lived in Arizona and Alabama before moving back to her home town in 2011. Sierra has had the opportunity of seeing differences in each place she has lived in, in the cultures, communities, religions, ethnicities, communications, values, and ways of life.
Sierra understands various issues in her clients, because she has dealt with struggles herself. Sierra has previously attended therapy to help her grow her perspective and capacity for mental wellbeing. Throughout this process she connected with many individuals who were going through various hardships and was inspired to help others who are struggling, hurting, and fighting to be just “okay.” This mindset, and with the help of a mentor Christie LeBeau, LMFT, IFS, CDWF, she was ignited with passion to purse her dream by becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist.
On off hours, Sierra loves spending time with her miracle dog, Nebula, her family, and close friends. Being inspired by nature and good food and drinks, you can find Sierra hiking around the valley, paddle boarding at the lake, writing or reading at coffee shops, and painting, crocheting, and dancing at home.
FAQ
It’s my first time considering therapy, what should I expect?
First off, I want to commend your courage for even thinking about starting therapy! It can definitely be a nerve racking experience at the beginning, however, I will do everything in my power to make sure therapy is a comfortable experience for you.
As far as expectations go, what I like to tell my clients is that therapy is focused on you and is truly whatever what you make of it. I will cater my therapeutic approach to meet you, your partner’s, and your family’s needs. Anything that happens inside and outside of session is solely your own decision. Some of my clients want to process past traumas, or focus on a mental health goal that they would like to achieve, and others like to discuss various topics that are on their mind for each session. We all are unique, therefore your therapy experience will be just as unique as you.
What is the first session like?
First sessions are just us getting to know each other and building an understanding of what brings you into therapy. To help me understand you and your circumstances better, I may ask some questions regarding your family, partner and friends, work life, home life, and expectations and desires for our therapy journey.
Do you take insurance?
Happy Horizons Therapy, LLC does not accept any insurances. Insurances require a diagnosis and specific treatment interventions in order for therapy to be covered. Insurance companies also require your confidential records and protected health information. Sierra does not wish for your personal and private information to be in a third-party’s hands, to stigmatize her clients with unnecessary diagnoses, nor to proceed with therapy in a pre-determined direction. By not accepting insurance, Sierra can formulate a therapy that works for you, without the stigmas, and without your confidential information in the hands of big insurance companies.
Can I get my insurance to reimburse me for my sessions?
Many insurance companies may offer reimbursements for therapy services. Invoices from therapy sessions may be mailed or faxed by the client to their insurance company for possible reimbursements.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! You can contact me via the contact button, email, or texting the number at the bottom of the page to schedule.
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
Yes. ALL therapy sessions are completely confidential, and will not leave the walls of the therapy room. The only times when information from sessions may disclosed to outside parties is when there is a threat of harm to yourself and/or others, when it is legally mandated to, or when I have written consent from you to disclose information to another party.
How does a Telehealth session work?
Telehealth session links will be sent to the email you provide me, and can be accessed through email on either a computer, laptop/ipad, or smart phone. This is a great option for those of you who would like to attend therapy from the convenience of your home.
How long do I need therapy?
The time you spend in therapy is completely up to you and your needs. Sierra specializes in solutions, so many clients can see benefits and/or meet their therapy goals within 8 weeks. However, some clients like to stay longer. There may be more that they’d like to work through, or because they feel like they need some extra support in their lives. Whatever length of therapy you are needing can be discussed with me and created to suit your needs.