Helena Stevens spotlights trauma-informed counseling and counselor training

Dr. Helena Stevens, an associate professor at Bethany Lutheran College, is being featured for her work in mental health counseling, counselor education, and trauma-informed care. Her profile highlights her clinical practice, research interests, and advocacy for stronger support systems in higher education and mental health.

Why it matters: - Helena Stevens’ work sits at the intersection of counselor training, clinical mental health care, and advocacy for underserved populations. - Her role influences how future counselors are prepared to serve students, clients, and communities. - Her focus on trauma-informed care, equity, and evidence-based practice reflects major pressures facing mental health and higher education systems.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Helena Stevens, PhD, LPC, LSC, PPS, NCC, on July 22, 2026. - Stevens is an associate professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. - Stevens is based in the Greater Minneapolis–St. Paul area. - The profile highlights her work as a counselor educator, mental health counselor, school counselor, and psychometrician. - Stevens also provides virtual outpatient counseling and facilitates group counseling for people in drug and alcohol inpatient treatment. - Stevens is currently writing her first textbook on university-level supervision in counseling programs.

The details: - Stevens teaches foundational counseling courses, oversees residency components, and advises students. - Stevens also contributes to program accreditation work and assessment development. - Her clinical training includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and experiential learning methods. - Stevens is a Nationally Certified Counselor. - Her school counseling background spans kindergarten through postsecondary education. - She has worked as a practicing therapist and counselor educator. - Stevens also serves as a senior test developer for a calibration engineering education company, where she supports psychometric testing and accreditation initiatives. - Her research interests include mindfulness, wellness, social justice advocacy, school counseling, assessment development, program evaluation, and experiential interventions. - Stevens lists service, integrity, resilience, courage, mindfulness, and self-care as her core professional values. - She says a childhood shaped by trauma and parental addiction influenced her commitment to advocacy and empathy. - Influential Women’s profile includes a link to Dr. Helena Stevens’ profile.

Between the lines: - Stevens’ career blends classroom teaching, direct care, and assessment work, which gives her influence over both training standards and clinical practice. - Her emphasis on barriers in higher education points to broader concerns about access to mentorship, resources, and leadership opportunities, especially for women of color. - The profile frames lived experience as a driver of leadership, not just a background detail. - Her advice to focus on goals and let go of distractions underscores a disciplined approach to career-building.

What’s next: - Stevens is expected to continue teaching, mentoring, and contributing to accreditation and assessment work at Bethany Lutheran College. - Her textbook project could expand her influence in counselor education beyond the classroom. - Her stated research priorities suggest continued work on evidence-based interventions and stronger training models. - Influential Women is using the profile to amplify her voice and professional message.**